Early in '08 - advertising industry - upper management - private company based in the Southern US. Took a partial layoff from full time salaried to
part time hourly as the company struggled to stay afloat. After three months, laid off completely. Said company was reduced down to a total of 4
full time employees including the owner.
I was fortunate in that I was able to move immediately full-time into what had been a part time/hobby gig as a baker
(that's what I really want to be when I grow up, but the money at the desk job was so much better)
with a privately owned restaurant in the Northeast US. Was eligible for partial unemployment due to income disparity.
Late Oct '08 - restaurant industry - baker - business has fallen off a cliff over three months, customers down 40%. Everyone's hours cut, including
mine. No longer employed full time. Modify existing unemployment claim, qualify for extension.
Husband's hours cut from 70 to 40 at the same restaurant. He's an amazing chef so was almost immediately snapped up to part-time at another
restaurant.
Thursday, last week, get a call from former boss at the office job. After losing many of their national clients (read: large accounts) in the last 9
months, owner made a last-ditch effort to save the company by completely changing strategies. Rather than seeking large accounts, owner contracted
with an independent sales rep to try and woo many very small clients. Tactic succeeded. Company is no longer losing money. Profit is slowly
starting to trickle in.
Owner offered me contract position covering some of my previous duties. She can no longer handle her job + my old job at the same time.
Gladly accept the offer.
Current status: husband is working 1 full time and 1 part time job. I'm working 1 part time job, 1 contract job, and utilizing unemployment benefits
to supplement some of the income loss. Resumes out in incredible numbers for something,
anything full time. It's rough, but we're managing
for now.