Will the last one out please switch off the lights

[HeyWayne]

Well, as some of you know, we recently had a third round of redundancies (3 in 12 months) - and whilst I've managed to survive all three, it's still been an emotional day.

The scale of this third round of redundancies has meant that we've had to shut down our production (the loss of 15 jobs in total), and as a result when you go into our warehouse it's earily quiet. We'd usually have the welding bays with sparks flying, sheet metal guillotines and brake presses going off - the lads shouting and hollering at each other.

Now there's nothing.

Silence.

There are quite a few empty desks about the building too (8).

At the pub for lunch it was really quite sad.

Problem with construction and recession is we're usually first in, and last out.

2010 is going to be an "interesting" year...

[snuffer]

Oh heck more crap hitting the fan. Glad you've managed to survive but it must be a worry. Hope things pick up soon and that they are hiring again, rather than letting go.

[OllieMartin]

I was wondering what my last company is like now after I was made redundant along with 1000 other people (20% of the workforce). I guess you probably just described it.

[HeyWayne]

There's just a "hum" from the lights.

[ginger ninger]

I was me redundent in April this year and finding work is not easy, I had a little part time job for 3 months but now that has finished I'm back to square one, no job.

[rustylady]

Hang on, I seem to remember reading on the BBC today that some boffin is going to announce that the UK is now officially out of the recession!! Therefore I assume that everything is going to miraculously get better (or am I showing my cynical side?). Seriously, so sorry for those who have lost their jobs or are facing possible redundancy - it's a very worrying time.

[pigletwillie]

I was expecting the chop this month but we have secured a big asphalt job for the M6 hard shoulder conversion which hopefully will take me through till March.

But I am not holding my breath and every day I go to work I am just a little bit thankfull.

[Brengirl]

Ain't it a shame/ We spend so much of our lives dependant on 'work' and wish to hell we could be free. Then, when we get the chance we rue it. We are all caught in the coil, the treadmill of life. Do hope the wheel keeps turning for you Mr. Wayne

[Eco-Chic]

Hang on, I seem to remember reading on the BBC today that some boffin is going to announce that the UK is now officially out of the recession!! Therefore I assume that everything is going to miraculously get better (or am I showing my cynical side?). Seriously, so sorry for those who have lost their jobs or are facing possible redundancy - it's a very worrying time.

Turns out the pundit wasn't quite as expert as he might have been. He prematurely forecasted

[HayleyB]

Must be really wierd on the shop floor for you HW, sad for the lads too hope they get new jobs soon

[zazen999]

I know how you feel - well sorta. Until August I was the lone person in a company backed by my guv who had headhunted me from my last job [he used to manage me at the job before....but I digress]. In August I was tupe-d across to his wife's company to save on tax and stuff - and on Thursday i was made redundant.

We are a training company and the lovely people who claim funding from the LSC and 'run' our consortium haven't paid us for work we did back in March; lots of the smaller training companies on this consortium are going out of business and to be honest - it is shocking behaviour for a major Sector Skills Council....putting the people out of business who they are supposed to be working with.

The irony is that when I worked there - I was part of the team that bid for the projects; and started off being the project manager; and when my boss left to start our company - my boss from my previous job got HIS job.......

The upshot is that I am taking my 2 main clients with me and am now officially Redundant and Self Employed......but as I can run this alongside a full time job I am looking again.

The income from the 2 clients will pay the bills......in the long run.

I was looking for a change anyway

[jackie j]

I am still employed part time by one of the big supermarket chains but I hate my job so I decided to work for my self with a company that has been in business for over 80 years, I had to pay a very small amount to do this, I dont have to carry stock, I do have to trudge the streets in all weathers, pick up catalouges and hopefully there will be an order with it. At the moment I am loving it, yes its hard work especially when there are no orders it can leave you feeling a bit down. If any one wants the details pm me.

[SlugLobber]

Aw, that's truly crap, Wayne. I can't believe I managed to switch jobs during all this, so feel quite fortunate when I read stuff like this. Hope they've left the heating on for you!

[dexterdoglancashire]

I know how you feel - well sorta. Until August I was the lone person in a company backed by my guv who had headhunted me from my last job [he used to manage me at the job before....but I digress]. In August I was tupe-d across to his wife's company to save on tax and stuff - and on Thursday i was made redundant.

We are a training company and the lovely people who claim funding from the LSC and 'run' our consortium haven't paid us for work we did back in March; lots of the smaller training companies on this consortium are going out of business and to be honest - it is shocking behaviour for a major Sector Skills Council....putting the people out of business who they are supposed to be working with.

The irony is that when I worked there - I was part of the team that bid for the projects; and started off being the project manager; and when my boss left to start our company - my boss from my previous job got HIS job.......

The upshot is that I am taking my 2 main clients with me and am now officially Redundant and Self Employed......but as I can run this alongside a full time job I am looking again.

The income from the 2 clients will pay the bills......in the long run.

I was looking for a change anyway

Well, at least there is good news at the end Andrea. Having worked in training in the past can understand how frustrating it must be.

[miffy]

My son recently left school and is having a really tuff time finding a job, he recently went for a job at Asda went through a two and a half hour selection interview which they told him they were so impressed with his performance and then promptly said they had nothing to suit him. Apparently he is over qualified!!
He is a lovely lad and is now volunteering so that he can get references and something to put on job applications because everything he applies for or looks at they want previous experience.
Bless him, he is only just recovered from a viral infection which meant he was unable to walk or lift anything and had him hospitalised and now he has his health back he wants to work but can't.
However at least he is better now so that is good.