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Jobs: Good News, Bad News

Posted by: Nanette Byrnes on October 12

It’s hard to get a handle on the job market these days. While all would agree it’s not good, the specifics are often confusing. A report issued today by Chicago outplacement consultants, Challenger, Gray & Christmas, brings that point to high relief. The report’s broad point is positive: that a few employers have begun to contemplating adding to their work force. Through September, the firm’s research shows employers have announced plans to hire 169,385 workers this year, an 88 percent jump from the last three quarters, and also well above the 2008 year-end total of 118,600.

But just as you were starting to feel a mild sense of optimism, or at least a lower level of dread, down come the hammer: the companies hiring are also firing. Retailers, for example, have announced plans to hire 33,640 workers this year, more than any other sector and far better than 2008, when they added fewer than 4,000 posts. But retailers have also announced more than 95,000 job cuts through September. In the tech world, Microsoft reported plans to hire an estimated 2,000 to 3,000 workers to “support its business strategy in key areas.” But those plans, Challenger notes, were revealed just weeks after the software giant announced that it would trim 5,000 employees from it payrolls over an 18-month period.

“The labor market is extremely fluid, even in the worst of times,” notes John Challenger, the firm’s CEO. “Companies are constantly adding and subtracting workers, sometimes simultaneously.”

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Reader Comments

Karen

October 12, 2009 01:36 PM

For all those looking for employment during these difficult times, research is key to landing the right job. Many publications show different categories for the best companies to work for. Also, another worthwhile site is SalaryFor.com http://www.salaryfor.com/
which has a huge database of actual salaries that companies are paying for different positions as well as career advice and job listings. You can post your own salary or view others for free.

Karen

October 12, 2009 01:48 PM

For all those looking for employment during these difficult times, research is key to landing the right job. Many publications show different categories for the best companies to work for. Also, another worthwhile site is SalaryFor.com http://www.salaryfor.com/
which has a huge database of actual salaries that companies are paying for different positions as well as career advice and job listings. You can post your own salary or view others for free.

Steve

October 12, 2009 02:38 PM

I ask, where is the protection for the worker. Companies, through these hard economic times, have been using this 'fluidity' as a means to reduce salary overheads. Essentially, firing an employee from one position, only to hire that employee into another position, under the guise of restructure. The reality is that same employee of does a significantly similar position if not also adding additional responsibiliities.
Unions were good once prior to their leaders being corrupted and in collusion with CEO's. The fought to break down the corporate alliances allowing for a better quality of life for Americans.
Is it time for white collar unions to break up these C-level allegiances. To bring back a less disparate pay structure then one where a C-Level exec may make several million per year, while his/her pilot only makes 16-18K. Or where tese same C-Levels enjoy a 10+% pay increase while the office workers of all levels are taking a 10-20% pay decrease if not loosing their job altogether.

Steve

October 12, 2009 02:42 PM

I ask, where is the protection for the worker. Companies, through these hard economic times, have been using this 'fluidity' as a means to reduce salary overheads. Essentially, firing an employee from one position, only to hire that employee into another position, under the guise of restructure. The reality is that same employee of does a significantly similar position if not also adding additional responsibiliities.
Unions were good once prior to their leaders being corrupted and in collusion with CEO's. The fought to break down the corporate alliances allowing for a better quality of life for Americans.
Is it time for white collar unions to break up these C-level allegiances. To bring back a less disparate pay structure then one where a C-Level exec may make several million per year, while his/her pilot only makes 16-18K. Or where tese same C-Levels enjoy a 10+% pay increase while the office workers of all levels are taking a 10-20% pay decrease if not loosing their job altogether.

Geschenke

October 13, 2009 07:01 AM

Things will get better soon before the end of the year. Economic reformation is taking place slowly but surely. We'll be able to see fruitful results of it.
Geschenke

Eric

October 13, 2009 07:56 AM

Its the free market, You need to learn to live! I graduated last may and took the lowest job offer in the highest cost of living, I did this because it provided job security, I might not have a new house, flat screens, and other luxuries but I am living a pretty good life. We are spoild here in America and think we deserve everything!

Francie Dalton

October 19, 2009 11:55 AM

If your thoughts are primarily fear based, if you're envisioning the worst
for yourself and your business, if your conversations are focused
predominately on bad news, then you're seriously impeding your own success.
Instead of giving succor to all the negative blathering, buckle down and
determine to take three actions every single day to improve revenue!
Those who prevail in difficult
times are the ones who steadfastly refuse to allow negativity to form a
barrier to their success. They instead deliberately and diligently take
constructive action, thereby refreshing and reinvigorating their minds and
their spirits, enabling them to take more action, which refreshes and
reinvigorates.

saher

November 19, 2009 01:31 AM

Its good to see this web..............

rgds

saher 4624
www.jobz.pk

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How can you manage smarter? BusinessWeek writers Jena McGregor, Nanette Byrnes, Emily Thornton, Matthew Boyle, Michael Orey, Michelle Conlin and Diane Brady synthesize insights from the brightest business thinkers, critique the latest management trends, and comment on leaders in the news.

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