DISQUS

Barb · 11 months ago

I'm really interested in seeing how this goes. I can't help but assume that Dilbert will be rehired by his old job--that's where the majority of the characters are (Wally, Pointy Haired Boss, Alice, Ted, etc.), and it would be insane to try and introduce a batch of new ones at this point. Of course, Adams managed to kill off Dilbert at one point, so I have faith.

Yana · 11 months ago

Thankfully, my husband is still employed, but his days were reduced initially from 5 days weekly to 3. There is no longer stability in his work schedule, but currently has been given 2 3.5-4 hour shifts, so he is working 5 days now but not full days. It's a significant reduction in income, and means we can't save as much as we had been doing. My own income has been stable enough. Things could be much worse, though, and I have nothing to strongly complain about as long as we aren't being terribly threatened. And contrary to my character, I'm actually feeling optimistic about our future.

Dustin Wyatt · 11 months ago

It's worth noting that it's only an all-time high by strict numerical count. As a percentage of the workforce as a whole, there's multiple points where it's been higher.

http://www.minneapolisfed.org/publications_pape...

Flexo · 11 months ago

Dustin: That's a good point.

Aya @ Thrive · 11 months ago

Wow, I don't know if it's incredibly depressing that Dilbert is out of work or if it's incredibly clever (I suppose it's both). I wonder if it makes readers feel a little better, being reminded that they're not the only one in an indirect way.

kai · 11 months ago

I'm okay for now. My company went thru some bloody layoffs three years ago because it saw some tough times on the horizon (though maybe not this tough). That being said, they've cut stuff of as much as they can.

I also almost have 6 months of rainy day though so that's good.

Lisa · 11 months ago

I've luckily been unaffected by the current economic downturn. - knock on a pink slip.

But I do find myself putting in extra hours at work these days, Not because we don't have enough staffing, but out of the fear of being labeled dead wood. Even though I've been with the same company for 26 years, I've seen that seniority no longer plays a roll when the hatchet man shows up.

The strength in America over other countries has always been that it could - mostly - keep its people working. As the famous psychologist, Maslow, illustrated so brilliantly: until one can realize the basic necessities in life, one can not enjoy beyond that.

Matt · 11 months ago

Let's just hope the new administration uses the stimulus money to invest in productive uses that create good jobs, not wasteful spending, as really the money they are using is ultimately being diverted from other sectors of the economy. But I guess there is no reason to doubt them yet, got to give them a fair chance.