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Jobs are getting tight out there! I work in New York City and I hear a new story every day about some company laying people off. Sometimes it’s a whole department or division that I hear is getting the axe. If you’re lucky you get some type of severance pay but that can’t be expected these days. What makes it worse is that a lot of companies are tightening their belts so you have all these people out of work competing for fewer jobs. I’ve been in a few meetings already where we had to justify our jobs and the work of our staff. That’s why I say you have to:

Fight for your right to work!

Here’s what I mean:

You’re no longer working for a raise– Yeah, I know that doesn’t sound too appealing. A lot of companies have frozen raises and promotions. But the truth of the matter is you are working for your job! All of that work you’ve been doing to prove that you deserve that raise or promotion is now really working to prove you should keep your job. You have to prove to your employers that they need to keep you the next time they consider a round of cuts. You have to keep on protecting your right to work.

More work, same pay – Yeah, this is fun isn’t it? But when people get cut who makes up the work? That’s right, the people left. Even if no one has been laid off at your job there are pretty good chances they aren’t looking to hire new people (unless you’re in a lucky industry that’s growing). You are going to be expected to do more with less. That’s it. No pleading for help. No getting out at five every day. You may even have to do the work of two people but get used to it. Remember your job may be on the line.

Don’t be a robot – Some people do what they are expected and that’s it. They may do a lot but they just do it. No thought about why or consideration of the big picture. These types of people are great when you need specific work done. But sometimes they work like robots who can’t think outside of the box. Know what happens to robots? They get outsourced! Do more. Get involved in your work. Make sure your higher ups understand that you are adding value to the job and having someone else do your work won’t be enough. You are the right person for the work and cannot be easily replaced.

Suck it up and be happy – We had a person at my job who kept telling everyone the sky was falling and could only talk about how bad the economy was and how could the company ever keep us. Honestly, we couldn’t be happier when she finally found another job! She brought morale down so much that management had to talk to her. Don’t be that person. No one wants to work with them and when cuts come this person is going to be near the top of the list of those to go. Suck up the extra work and hours. You still have a job. Be happy. It might just be a brave face but managers remember those people who do their work and don’t grumble about it. They look for those people who are up for a challenge. Which leads me to my last point…

Come through and be the hero – The recession will end. Good companies will prosper. Who is management going to remember? Those people who stepped up when times were tough and held things together! This is the time to be the hero employee; to be the go-to guy. Now is when you do overtime to make sure a project is finished. Yes, it’s work but it just may pay off in the end. Who knows, when all is said and done you may still get that big raise and promotion!

It’s not a fun time in the economy. And who wants to do more work for the same pay or less and work more hours? But you’re not working for the extras these days. You’re working for your job!! It is up to you to do everything you can to fight for your right to work.



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