I hear and read stories about people who feel miserable in their jobs, but can't risk quitting in today's job market. Some who have held onto their jobs are even expressing envy toward those who have been laid off. It reminds me of a line from an old TV drama about an impending nuclear attack: "The living will envy the dead."
That's a bit melodramatic, but it does seem highly ironic to be jealous of someone who's collecting unemployment while you're drawing a steady paycheck. Still, there's enough misery among the employed that I'm sure some of them have wished for their own layoffs. ("You mean I don't have to put up with this miserable job anymore and can sleep in?!? Excellent!!)
Even the optimists among the still-employed may be more apt to ride out the recession before they look for new jobs. Based on the results of a recent survey, 54% of employed adults in North America are at least somewhat likely to look for new jobs once the economy turns around.
That's understandable if: (1) They didn't like their jobs or companies even before the recession struck but feel they need to stay put until job prospects improve, or (2) They wound up working more hours and spending less time with their families after they took on more work following a round or two of layoffs.
Meanwhile, there's no shortage of stuff on the web that says how being laid off can be an incredibly exhilarating experience that gives you time to recharge yourself, learn something new, spend more time with the family, and, heck, maybe even win a Nobel Prize. In 2002, during my own 7-month-long layoff, I did all that (except the Nobel part), and while it kept my spirits up, the depressing feeling of being jobless didn't go away. It's an awful feeling, even if it lasts for only minutes. Trust me, you don't want it.
All this led me to wonder how people are faring in this recession. If you're employed, how are things at work? If you're unemployed and looking for a job, what are you doing to stay focused and optimistic amid your job search?
Take our poll below and drop in a comment.
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RELATED LINKS
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Jobless? Sometimes You Gotta Leggo Your Ego
Personal Development Guru, Jim Rohn once said: "Work HARDER on Yourself than you do on Your Job!" sage advice...I'd say
Right now I'm employed but miserable. I haven't decided whether being laid off would be better. I've been unemployed before and for the first little while it's nice, but after a while you realize that the unemployment cheques are just not going to cut it and you've fallen behind. Although the break was nice, having to 'work your butt off' to catch back up is not exactly fun.
So here I sit, employed, but miserable no knowing whether it's worth being unemployed and happy.
Stuck on the fence
my boss used to be good,now she is so ridiculous rude to me always,everything i said she make fun off.and want me to sell and sell products for hair so she can get her bonus.I'm almost as old as her Mom and she disrespect me and make my life miserable.I have only few customers compare with her ,and she put her self as an example for us the employs.on meetings we have no rigths,we can not talk,she said if we do not come to her mittings we loose our jobs because those meetings are obligations,they do not pay for our meettings waste our time.She put us to shampoo her clients,and we never get not even a thank'you.She treatns us about getting fired/hair cuttery in midlothian.only commision on cuts for us ho do a lot other things for free.
This is a great question - I've been unemployed for almost 10 months now. Even though I was totally burned out, I still needed that job. I had a heartless boss who took to writing me up which forced me to resign. I've been really depressed and my lack of income has affected the health and well-being of my whole family. If anyone has any suggestions, I'm open to them. It's really hard to give a good interview when you're feeling this way.
Good question. I was jobless before until I found this site which really helps me in looking for a stable job with high cost of salary.
www.bigjobsboard.com
Thank You and Good Luck!