[Mountaindewed]

My mom said that the economy is starting to get bad again and that jobs might be affected. I’m wondering if people anywhere not just at my place will lose their jobs. I’m not sure how that works though. I work in retail and I can’t see how I would be let go. I’m a pretty stable employee when it comes to my performance and my attendance. Maybe they just won’t hire new employees. Or maybe my mom had no idea what she was talking about.

[Skeezyks]

I don't know about this. I make a point of not following the news. It tends to upset me & there's nothing I can do about any of it. But, from what little I know of what's happening (in the U.S.) I think the big concern at the moment is with regard to the current president's economic policies; in particular the so-called trade war with China. And I don't know if anyone really knows where all of that is going to lead. If the 2020 elections result in someone new taking up residence in the White House, perhaps all of the tariffs that are currently being put into place will disappear. However if the current administration remains in office for another 4 years, it's difficult to foresee where current economics policies might lead & what impact they might have on employment. At least these are my thoughts with regard to your post.

[divine1966]

I’ve never heard of retail laying people off. What retail does is cuts hours in order to save company money, especially off season.

Also when economic crisis hits people who lose jobs are usually people in industry/manufacture/business, higher pay jobs, and often people in public/government sector because of lack of funding, not as much people in service sector. Again you might be effected by hours cut if needed, but you’d likely not be losing retail job no matter what happens with economy. I’d not worry about it

[~Christina]

Retail jobs hours are always being cut down at different times of the year, but between Thanksgiving and Christmas you will be worked to the bone.

Many lousy companies prefer to have almost all staff be part time so they do not need to offer any benefits, paid days off or sick days.

Honestly I think probably 50% or more of the workforce across the country could lose there job or have hours cut to where a person would need to find a new job or a second job.

I worked in medical my entire life and never had trouble finding a job but a few positions I had were just a dead end and all I had to look forward to were cost of living increase in pay yearly ( useless in my opinion) not really a real raise so I chose to find a better paying position with another Doctor or Clinic , hospital.

I started in retail at age 16 , by age 17 I realized that healthcare would be the best place for me to have a career in, until robots take over there will always be jobs taking care of people.

Try not to let her scare you too much but put some thought into professions that might ensure your likely to have long term well paid employment.

[Mountaindewed]

They just started cutting hours at my job. It seems like an odd thing to do. It seems like they should be increasing the hours since the retail Christmas season will soon be starting. Plus we had a few people quit in my department recently. They have never decreased the hours this time of the year. They have always increased. I wonder if the economy truly is getting bad again.

[seesaw]

Originally Posted by ~Christina

Retail jobs hours are always being cut down at different times of the year, but between Thanksgiving and Christmas you will be worked to the bone.

Many lousy companies prefer to have almost all staff be part time so they do not need to offer any benefits, paid days off or sick days.

Honestly I think probably 50% or more of the workforce across the country could lose there job or have hours cut to where a person would need to find a new job or a second job.

I worked in medical my entire life and never had trouble finding a job but a few positions I had were just a dead end and all I had to look forward to were cost of living increase in pay yearly ( useless in my opinion) not really a real raise so I chose to find a better paying position with another Doctor or Clinic , hospital.

I started in retail at age 16 , by age 17 I realized that healthcare would be the best place for me to have a career in, until robots take over there will always be jobs taking care of people.

Try not to let her scare you too much but put some thought into professions that might ensure your likely to have long term well paid employment.

Back when I got into professional grant writing, and I was full-time employed at an organization as their dedicated grant writer, I went to a conference for grant writing, and I met some people who'd been consulting for years as grant writers, and one of them told me that I would never be out of a job. Organizations always need money and they always want someone else to do it.

I've only been out of work briefly after a restructuring and layoff, and that's when I transitioned to consulting too. And I have more requests to book my time than I can keep up with.

I definitely diversify my skills and also do marketing and work on medical research publications, as well as other types of fundraising. Definitely I keep my eyes on these things and that's why it's good to save and budget, etc. Also always good to explore different ways you can diversify or translate your current skillset to something close to it that's a different job for when your field tanks.

seesaw

[TheSeaCat]

Mountain-It sounds like your job could be cutting employees hours for the impending holiday season. It's Mid-September it could have came from corporate office to start cutting peoples hours to save for holiday season. There are so many things that affect retail schedules; heck it could be as something as not having the same budget as last year during this time. Factors such as less shopping; which is possible with all the online shopping that is readily available could effect the budget for the current scheduling period.

As for the thought of a recession I don't really see it happening now; but depending on the election next year it could be a very real possibility given the current state of The White House. Will certain industries have a similar fate as the last recession with the lack of disposal income; yes will retail probably be a prime suspect as will the vacation industry; due to consumers tightening the belt. Would I say that now is the time to start freaking out about a recession that may or may not come; no. I still would advice to start a savings fund; then again I think having a savings fund is a good idea regardless of what or may not happen.

[~Christina]

I was speaking more about retail really , when people get worried about money they will save more, eat a home more, buy less treats at the grocery store.

Walmart , oh I loathe that hellhole , my store only ever has no more than 2 registers open at any time. But installed more self check out. Anytime they are used is time when no employee is needed.

If this 15.00 per hour raise goes through then lots of people will lose there jobs. Companies aren’t all going to be able to afford to have as many employees , but that’s a hot topic so I will shut up.

I chose healthcare because there is always a need. I never had a hard time finding employment with great benefits.

I think you have been brilliant in expanding your skills so that your booked up ! Great job

[seesaw]

Originally Posted by ~Christina

I was speaking more about retail really , when people get worried about money they will save more, eat a home more, buy less treats at the grocery store.

Walmart , oh I loathe that hellhole , my store only ever has no more than 2 registers open at any time. But installed more self check out. Anytime they are used is time when no employee is needed.

If this 15.00 per hour raise goes through then lots of people will lose there jobs. Companies aren’t all going to be able to afford to have as many employees , but that’s a hot topic so I will shut up.

I chose healthcare because there is always a need. I never had a hard time finding employment with great benefits.

I think you have been brilliant in expanding your skills so that your booked up ! Great job

I don't want to get too political but there is a chain of events that need to happen to make this all work. Hourly employees do need to make $15 an hour. They deserve a living wage. And any argument about they should get better jobs, well then who do you expect to wait on you at a restaurant when you decide to go out? Or check you out at the grocery store? Or help you at the mall buying new clothes?

But the problem is too, that there are costs to all of us that drive wedges between us, primarily the cost of healthcare, housing, and transportation. Some things need to be done policy-wise to address how these have gotten out of control and the rise in those costs has nothing to do with anything other further lining the guy at the top's pockets. So no one will support a higher minimum wage because it may mean a cost increase to them and they are also strapped to pay for healthcare and housing and food. But these prices are all artificially jacked up. So we need some major overhauls in this country, systemically, to address these issues. Until then, the poor will keep fighting each other over crumbs...

Okay, end rant. Point is: yes, certain sectors may suffer if we are heading into a recession. But there is an election coming up. If there is a recession, hopefully it will be short lived.

[~Christina]

I see some of your points, so I don’t care to voice my opinion(s) further, it will do nothing but make this a circular conversation getting no where situation.

Cheers

[seesaw]

Originally Posted by ~Christina

I see some of your points, so I don’t care to voice my opinion(s) further, it will do nothing but make this a circular conversation getting no where situation.

Cheers

I apologize, I got off on a rant.

Back on topic now...