A better way to downsize?
There has got to be a better way to downsize. In a recent blog post Cali Williams Yost, CEO and Founder of Work+Life Fit, Inc. recommends a three-tiered, more flexible approach to downsizing that goes beyond job cuts. These options include reduced schedules, job sharing, sabbaticals, and contract workers. Follow this link for Yost's post and this link for her Fast Company interview on the topic with Dr. Peter Cappelli, the director of the Center for Human Resources at the Wharton School of Business.
Yesterday my 15 year old – who gets breaking news updates on his cell from CNN! – asked if I was in danger of losing my job. I’m curious have you or how do you talk with your kids about the current economic crisis and job security?
I don't have all my eggs in one basket, so I haven't had to talk to my 5-year-old about impending doom just yet. The "Just work hard at whatever you do" to make a living spiel isn't going to fly for him if things get real bad for us. If it ever comes to it, I'll likely just use brute pragmatic honesty with him.
Patrick