Job Cuts

by Erica Hernandez, Insight, November 12, 2008

As more and more Americans hit the unemployment line, the tough reality of today’s bad economic times begins to really sink into our lives and our pockets. It’s an unfortunate situation that’s affecting every corner of our country. Here in Miami the effects can be seen from the growingly depressing nightly news reports to the thousands of adults hoping that they never receiver that god forsaken pink slip with the words “You’ve been let go”.

            On an even more local note,the Miami Herald, after being acquired by McClatchy this year, has let go 17% their reporting staff and 10 to 15% of other “unnecessary” employees, especially those with extremely bloated salaries. Adding up to more than 250 employees have been laid off. According to the Herald, it wasn’t possible to support all these workers. This is a situation many big companies are finding themselves in these days. The senior workers are getting paid way more than a new employee would and so companies keep their new employees but “let go” of their senior workers.

The Herald isn’t the only company cutting jobs; Royal Caribbean let go of 400 employees, most in South Florida. Also Bank United has let go of 12% of their South Florida employees.

“The cuts of friends and co-workers have made workers who have been spared be thankful that they still have their jobs, but at the same time still very stressed from the pressure to take on more work and to perform it well,” Lauren Noval, psychology teacher, said.

The effects of these cuts are everywhere, from the once very comfortable middle-class family having to cut back severely to the new employees feeling guilt from the fact that they weren’t cut yet their boss was. In some cases the guilt has been so bad that companies have had to bring in counselors to help the new or younger employees cope with the situation which can be a little much  to handle psychologically.

                        With such large number and real effects, the question that most young people today have is “If my dad can’t even keep his job, which used to be so stable, how will I ever get one?”  Right now there is no answer to that question, but if things don’t change soon the enthusiasm and promise of our generation will slowly but surely diminish.