What is Your Employment Situation?

[turasultana]

I work full time. I was a consultant there for 3 years and recently got hired in house. I work in online marketing for a (fucking huge) financial institution. We had massive layoffs a couple years ago, and I got a 15% pay cut, but I've got it all back now so I'm lucky. we're hiring too.

[Gaige]

We had a 4% pay reduction which was only supposed to last for a year. It lasted about 6 months longer but the pay rates were finally reinstated a few months ago. At that time, I received a 4% raise. I think only one other employee got that raise also. We picked up several new homes for a total of almost 5,000 beds. I guess we are doing ok. Sure the workload has increased but it makes for OT. I'm just thankful to have this job.

[Diva]

I've taught middle school choral music for just about my whole adult life until about 1 1/2 years ago. I was teaching for a small private school and when the economy crashed, so did the school. We were all laid off in March 2009. In all my years of teaching, I had never been fired or laid off.....it was devastating.

I've had a few interviews since then, but nothing. Fortunately, my late father left me with a little bit. I'm not rich by any means....receiving about 1/4th what I made in teaching.

At this point, the thought of teaching is a distant one. I'm enjoying my volunteer work and am wanting to see if I can't land a part~time job at the children's hospital. We'll see!

[Gemme]

A couple of years ago, I decided I wanted to leave the PNW and move down to Austin, where many of our beloved members reside. I'd visited on and off for a few years and it felt like home at a time when I needed a home. Eventually, I was able to save up enough to move down here, but I came without a safety net and, if it weren't for friends like Diva and Arwen and my honey, I'd have nothing, not even a pot to piss in.

So, I moved down here in August and kind of, sort of looked for work off and on for the first month. Shortly thereafter, the money ran out and the panic set in. I'm waiting to hear back from a potential employer who's basically said it's between myself and one other person. It's a part time job and way less than what I was making before, but if I get it, I'll be damn glad for it.

[T D]

In March 2005 was placed on permanent disability retroactively to May 2003 at which time my income decreased over $75K per year.... it was a long hard fall. In the end I actually think I'm happier in many ways. I learned that I am not what or who I am based on what I do for an occupation, or how much money I make. I am who and what I am because of who and what I am inside. Needless to say it's been quite a journey!

I think some things do happen for a reason. Other times I have no clue as to the why of it all *chuckling*.

[dixie]

I work full-time (a minimum 55 hours a wk) as the overnight manager of a domestic violence shelter. It's difficult, emotional work for next to no pay, but then again, no one goes into nonprofit work expecting to make the big bucks. My salary is dependent on grant money, so if we don't qualify or miss deadlines, then I'm just outta luck. (Although if we get the current grant we're hoping for, my salary will go up by $6000.) I'm also taking my placement tests Friday to go back to school. Hopefully once I finish my degree I can find an actual good paying job with insurance in this field. Insurance is a big motivation for me.

[Tcountry]

I have been working with bio-fuels forthe past 4 years...cuttently ethanol...but getting tired of moving around a lot so am studying electrical/ plumbing/ heating and air conditioning...