Back to work for less

CNN/Money ^ | July 30, 2004 | N/A

[sarasmom]

The current administration has absolutely nothing to do with my employment status at the moment.
I stopped liking my job and lifestyle, saved enough money to get by for a while, quit, and relocated.
It is highly doubtful I will make even more money in my new location immediately, until I prove my value to my future employer.
President Bush can be castigated for some things, but not for the personal financial decisions individuals make.
President Bush is not going to hire nor fire me, since I don't seek an appointed position with the Feds.
President Bush did not force me to make any of my past or present employment choices, nor is his administration advising me on my future choices of employment.
How is my, or anyones, employment status related in any way to this POTUS?

[Ciexyz]

Have had only short term contact work since.

Here's wishing you better prospects in the future.

[DuncanWaring]

I got laid off in Sept of 2003, am currently employed in a similar job, significantly more money, significantly less aggravation.

[Ramius]

You're right about that. Mall parking lots. That used to amaze me when we were in the depths of a "recession" but there was still nowhere to park at the mall.

I think another factor in the "average" wage data is still coming from the fallout of the dot-com bubble. Lots and lots of way overpaid IT and other professionals at massively overcapitalized -- and failing-- companies... those folks eventually get back in the workforce at far lower, yet more realistic, dollars.

Another factor yet is the aging demographic of the population. Retirements are accelerating, and will be even more so in the next couple of decades. Those people are typically coming off of the rolls at the top of the salary scale.

Just a couple of things.

[Ramius]

I hate to be the one to break it to you, but all party rhetoric aside... Presidents don't create jobs, and they don't actually drive the economy. They have some small impact, but there are far larger forces at work in the business cycle.

It's better that this is true.

[Ramius]

I am considering leaving my job, and will be considering many different options, but I fully expect to take something at way less than half my current salary.

At this point I'm after a simpler life. Less stress. No midnight emergency conference calls. Weekends off.

[Farnham]

Wonderful!!

So, your wife is from Denmark ? or you have a big dog ?

[38special]

Well then I must be in the minority because I was laid off in early 2002 but was able to find a new and better job soon after that with a significantly higher salary. I guess I'm one of the lucky ones.

[Farnham]

Very well said...

[Scott from the Left Coast]

I lost my [former] fulltime job in May 2003...got my current one in October 2003...when I got it, the new one was a couple thousand a year more than the old one, and now (9 months later) it's increased to over 10% higher than the old one.

Love to go against "the trend".

[Scott from the Left Coast]

Oh great...I won't have a compatriot in aggravation any longer?

[Ramius]

bwaahahah... well... I didn't say I was going to do it *this week*. Maybe I'll milk this cow just a little longer before I pull the rip cord.

[Ramius]

Oh... and also, not to nag, but just an editorial suggestion: You forgot the "Workers of the World Unite!" tagline. Would've been more effective.

Regards, :-)

[tdadams]

For many, it's labor market equilibrium. They're making less now because in their previous job they were making more than they were truly worth to an employer.

[sarasmom]

On the off chance you meant to post to me...

Go for it!
It is slightly unsettling, but also very invigorating to be actively exercising the right to pursue happiness.

[Congressman Billybob]

If you hadn't noticed, the designation (p) tells you that the last two months indicate "partial" data. Wages are stable, not down. A variation of about 0.3% prior to those months, either up or down, is not a trend, but is merely statistical noise.

Thanks for providing the data to show that earnings are stable.

John / Billybob

[sarcasm]

Go for it!

I never said that I've been personally affected by this. I've been employed by the same firm for close to 25 years.

[sarcasm]

Thanks for providing the data to show that earnings are stable

Actually, they're down, Counselor. You can, if you wish, live in cloud cuckoo land - I won't.

[Damagro]

If you can start a new job making as much or more than your old job, you are very well placed or lucky. It's one thing to change jobs voluntarily and move up, quite another to lose a job and do the same.It's always been that way. I may lose my job on Monday, but I will be working before the week is out. I doubt I'll be making as much as I would at the company I've been with the past 15 years. That's life. You make more the longer you've been at a particular job and are more valuable at that job. If you're answering the phone for a living, I'd advise a new line of work

[Ramius]

hehehe... not an off chance at all. Yes, that was supposed to go to you.

Roger on your observation.

I told somebody in my dept (who I learned was being headhunted by another employer) just this week: Nobody quits a job they like. That's why I don't counter-offer when somebody has a bid from the outside. If they're looking... then go. Take it. Be happy. If you were happy here you wouldn't have been looking in the first place.