There’s so many rumors about massive layoffs. I get it, times are not good and the industry is in crisis. We all are deeply worried about our jobs, and the vast majority of us can not survive for more than a few months being jobless. If you have information or if rumor is substantiated, then share. Knowing is better than not knowing. But if any of you are trolling us for fun, it’s just cruel. We are all on edge as it is.
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I have a little bit of experience in this arena, as a contractor that has been laid off probably as much, or more than most have ever been employed by an OEM. I've probably been laid off eight to twelve times working as contract for a certain OEM over a few decades, only to be rehired and recycled by these OEMS the same number of times. It's musical chairs into new departments, and into new disciplines. Each discipline builds upon a well rounded individual, an education you can not get elsewhere, while working in a single position long term, or all of your life. There is no equivalent training in the business.
Most OEMs have young intern track programs, to cycle their youth over a few years, to pick up skills and knowledge along the way. The attempt to instill something into a developing mind that still has no idea what it's suppose to do in the first place. However, this is a lifestyle of contract, decades in the making, among developed and veteran minds. These are your people of vast talent, and yet all so disposable to OEMs.
Now immediately one would think, wow you su-k, or you have no skills worthy to keep your position. Ironically, our OEMs have a history of contract severance every number of years, and its as certain as the air you breathe. This act of dismissal is so often, it forces a person to learn to become a professional interviewer. It numbs the senses to the workplace nonsense, but awakens what you need to do to protect yourself going forward. Some of the best advice giving to me was to always have a layoff fund available - and you should.
There is nothing you can do to shield yourself from any layoffs, regardless of your position. It is uncomfortable, unless you've been through this before. Then, it's becomes nothing - numb to it's effect, the more times you endure it. I've seen the lowliest of contractor, to the highest of directors get eliminated in a single cycle. I've seen entire floors and departments eliminated, buildings become ghost towns. Remember that these decisions, come from people that have NO idea what your impact is upon the company, nor do they care. It's not personal, it's just numbers to check a box.
If you've made it this far, then I will offer you a grand tip I've learned over the years. Most OEMs, have a policy in place that you shall not recommend or endorse any colleges as part of policy. If you become a value add unto peoples lives, people will remember this and give the middle finger to policy. Not all, but many. In my last stint with my OEM as contract, I called in a favor before my dismissal. This favor gave both an FU to the OEM in defiance, and delivered to me, a few dozen letters of recommendations and endorsements across all of my co-workers. I took these letters to future employers, and their jaws dropped. I'm not lying, their jaws literally opened where it was extended to what appeared to be at its most open. This is where I was offered multiple job opportunities within a week.
Today I don't work contract any longer, it's a number of levels higher. Ironically, for the same reason people fear their job loss, I don't have a care. Today, while I still offer top notch quality in work, the only possible way I could lose my job today, is if a specific OEM goes completely out of business. This OEM, is likely too big to fail.
It's nice for once in my life, to be on the opposite end of the spectrum. Hard work, delivers rewards. Keep fighting the good fight. If your time is not today, don't be discouraged. It's possible you might have to endure some hardship, but in the end, you will have your day.
All the seat warmers should go and keep this great "American Icon" afloat.