Semi-Thankful

Last Friday a friend of mine was discussing the feeling of cost-cutting in companies and the fear of losing ones job. Before the recession hit, having a job is something easier to acquire that at times it just becomes a casual burden. Most people just take it for granted or with enough capability and desire, just hop from one job to another. As long as there's an ounce of belief in oneself and backed up with capable credentials, there would always be a reputable source of living.

But with recession, the organization one works for do not have enough conscience to accommodate, sift and acknowledge the strengths of its people. This is competition at its finest. A person might see himself strong, but in this act of keeping ones job, it's his strength versus the other. It's a survival of the fittest, although it isn't the case most of the time. If the company has to lay off drastically, it doesn't care if you're a graduate of this or that. It also doesn't care if you've put up great attendance and has always been an admirable employee. If the organization is cost cutting, conscience cannot plug the holes and some people would just have to jump off. The boat couldn't care less if they would miss your 12 hour work efforts.

This friend even told me that when she was based in London early this year, she was a witness to the layoffs of a global Bank. It's quite different from the layoffs that we have in the Philippines. I should know since I was laid off once by a start up research company in New York. Since their clients are filing for bankruptcy, our company cannot afford us and the technology. They gave us a 30 day notice and paid us considerable compensatory pay. My situation seems more ideal, but do not expect the ruthless western markets to have more compassion and room for adjustments. In the western countries, all they would ever need is a pink slip or a quick call from HR to maneuver ones ass off the premises in 10 minutes. They don't give a 30 day extension to let the information sink in for one to look for another job nor do they brief people by giving them false hopes. On the day of notification, everyone is as vulnerable from Supervisor to Staff to Analysts. My friend could not forget the faces of notable professionals sinking in silence, watching their desk phones and hoping they wouldn't get that call. Some created a scene. Some stormed their way out noiselessly without a shame, and some were gracious to say good bye to their colleagues. Letting the information sink in would have to be done at home until the time they find another job again.

People's capabilities are limited in sitting, waiting and praying just like Pat Weber did, a local in Detroit, one of US' most hit states, who lost her job as a construction administrator.

Also a friend of mine told me that one of her friends graduated his Masteral Studies in New York Columbia University, an ivy league institution. It's a no-brainer that any reputable job could land on his lap, but during the recession, his efforts took as long as a year with no results. Now he's crossing continents to start again.

Careers are admirable and dreamed as a target. It's always better to have a career than a job. Everyone has a license to be bold enough to switch comfort zones. But as much as I'd hate to admit it, at these times we cannot afford to dream that big when we have bills and responsibilities. A job just continues the cycle of living in hopes that one does not fall into depression and personal bankruptcy. It is expected that all of us who have a job should still be thankful, but I have to say that it sucks to nurture the mentality of gratitude just because one has a job. We could've done better. I'd rather wish to be more grateful to have more opportunities and choices, and not just grapple on what's available. But if put to the test, can anyone still choose? Underemployment is always better than unemployment, right? Who am I to complain and rant about this? I still have a good job even before the 30 day notice came. I feel someone benevolent still graced down upon me because I could've easily be treading the other road.