Layoff's happening if you're on the bench for how long? I am seriously worried now, i have been on the bench since Jan but working on proposals and packages consistently - just not on projects.
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I was working on proposals for six months, was told I was needed on the proposals and NOT to look for chargeable work, and then I was suddenly told I wasn't chargeable enough and got let go. So do not believe them when they say you should just sit on proposals and trust the system.
@1uic were you laid off? In my 11 years here I've never heard of someone being laid off while chargeable on a project.
I was told you had to be on a billable assignment. I was on a project for two weeks but that didn't count to stop my "bench" clock because it wasn't long enough of a project. I was on the bench officially since November. As were a lot more people.
Always think in terms of changeability. The more, the better. Also, if your BD work is in your DTE and you have a charge number for it, typically you'd be good. I've been on proposals that took many months to complete, never had issues there - it does hurt you later on when they rank you, but as it relates to layoffs you are good.
If you do not have a number to hit, you will have an issue very soon - so get busy and find something. My gut tells me (5 years here) that they start to get nervous after 4 weeks of you not having a project or BD number to hit - I may be wrong and will let others chime in.
Finally, it'll depend on the pipeline and demand projections in your DTE and local office - if they are anticipating a dip, you (or anyone else on the bench) are in trouble.
I hope this helps.