The internal grapevine of gossip and good tidings...

Every workplace has its rumors.

Since the last lay-off in February, a lot of time at work
has been spent trying to guess our future.
We got some news today in a meeting with one of the
head honchos.

Our biggest customer has cut back orders by 30 per cent.
Other customers have put a hold on some orders.
They are forecasting (hoping) that this downturn will reverse
itself in September. In the meantime, however, costs here
need to be cut somehow.

One of the measures that will be taken is to cut our work
hours from forty per week to thirty-two.
We're going to a four day work week. This includes everyone.

If we have vacation time left, we can use that to prevent
a short pay check. They are even giving us the option of
using our accrued vacation time for next year if we don't
have any left from this year. Or, we can take a short pay check
for the next eight weeks... all of July and August.

They admit to going this route in order to avoid another lay-off.
Of course, if business doesn't pick up enough in September,
they also said they will probably be forced to cut personnel then.

I'm choosing to take a short pay check for the next two months.
If business doesn't get better, I want my last check to include
whatever vacation time I might have at that time.

A short pay check now is still more than unemployment and it
still includes benefits like health insurance.
I can do this.

Considering the sucky condition of the economy throughout the
country right now, I appreciate this effort to keep us employed.
And, I made sure to say that to the head honcho after the meeting.


On a much lighter note... it is Haiku Wednesday at Sparrow's place.

This week's topic is HOME and the deadline is 10 pm tonight.