Fewer Folks without Jobs?

I'm not sure I believe that there are actually fewer people without jobs but apparently, "jobless claims are on the decrease" in July. This doesn't adequately speak to overall unemployment (or underemployment) rates but it's good to know that at least the numbers are dropping.

Of course, we need to remember that after a certain number of months on unemployment, one stops being counted. Similarly, if you quit (and do not get laid off or fired), you don't get to file for unemployment.

That's a scary thought.

Click here to read the article on Boston.com

Experts expect the unemployment rates to keep rising over the next year but maybe we can hope that it's beginning to taper off?

The Quit

Don't get excited... my quit hasn't happened yet.

However, I started The Quit by Evan Harris today. Those of you familiar with This American Life will already know about Evan, but she chronicles types of quitting, characteristics of quitting, why you should quit, etc. in her book.

Click here to purchase The Quit on Amazon.com

Stay tuned for a more thorough review but so far it's fairly entertaining. She's a bit wordy for my taste but the good news is, I think I've already find my quitting technique!

New Beginnings?

Hello intrepid readers. In my quest to no longer be at the job I no longer love... I have been interviewing. Thus far, my interviews have not turned into job offers because of various factors (budgets running dry, general incompatibility, etc.).

Today though, I had what I think was a very good first interview. Sure, I'd talked to the person on the phone and connected there but you never know what you will find when you interview with someone in person - and other people are usually involved. This was one of those first interviews that's like a great first date. You mesh, you connect, they laugh at your jokes, you both ask insightful questions, etc. I left feeling great. It's a job I would actually really like and one that I know I would excel at. The question is - do they see that?

It's the same with dating. You go on a great first date and you see yourself already in a full fledged relationship with the person. You imagine all the steps therein and all the smug enjoyment you'll get from being so happy in your relationship. This inevitably leads to a nervous anxiety that they don't feel the same way, that you were vain or stupid, that they pitied you! The same, of course, can be true of great first interviews. I haven't hit the anxiety wall yet and I hope when I do, I remember to trust my gut. My gut says it went well. My gut is probably right.

*Fingers crossed*

Payback followup

Just came across this article on HR Online about employees taking things into their own hands. Looks like payback is coming sooner for some folks.

Just another indication that treating your employees/employers decently is really the way to go.

Click here to read the entire article

Payback will be a b****!

I'm sure you are all too aware of how some employers (and vendors and stores and everyone!) have been using the recession as an excuse to underpay, underemploy, and generally mistreat their employees. I am by no means saying this is the norm (or even true of my current employer) but sadly, it's not that unusual either.

While some companies actually need to be "thrifty" right now in order to survive this downturn, others are just taking advantage of a chance to save themselves a few bucks. We all know the bottom line is what it is but in the long run, investing in your people is smart. Treating your employees with honesty and care gives you a much higher rate of retention - if you treat them well while you can, they may better understand a pay cut or similar when you need it.

This is probably my favorite statistic from the article: Your youngest employees, who bring new ideas and skills to the workplace, are knocking on your competitor's door. Of the employees surveyed, 71% between the ages of 18 and 29 are likely to look for new jobs once the upturn begins. Ahem!

The good news is that the downturn really can't last forever the way it is now. Eventually, things will tick back up or they will change. But people won't forget how you treated them when everyone was down on their luck.

Click here to read the post on About.com

Minimum Wage Goes Up!

I meant for my first post to serve as a sort of introduction to myself and my situation but what we want is not always meant to be.

Instead, I'm passing on this tidbit to you, fellow worker bees. The minimum wage is being raised! I thought I was past the point in my life where the minimum wage was relevant to my worker status but, given the economy and my plan to quit my reliable, fairly well paying office job... it's suddenly become more relevant.

How many others out there are thinking of quitting their steady job in these times of economic uncertainty? I have a hunch that I'm not the only one who is putting happiness and respect over security and cash money.

What's really interesting about this wage hike is the debate that's followed it - is the minimum wage hike good or bad for the economy? I don't pretend to be an economist (in fact, economics is what kept me from following a path towards a business minor in college) but this debate seems a bit petty when we consider that the minimum wage earns you a yearly wage that is still far below the federal poverty line. Seems like our debate might be a little out of whack.

Click here to read the article on Consumerist