Weigh In: Are You Afraid of Losing Your Job?

I think it is funny how some of the people that have responded to the question with "oh I work for the government, I have nothing to worry about." Well if the tax payers are out of work and there is no money coming in for your budget, guess what dip-shit, you will be in the bread line with the rest of us. I honestly try not to think of the future to much, to depressing. 401k getting more worthless by the day, along with my kids 529 college plan, personal stocks (can't sell without taking a loss), my 500k home is now basically worthless because no one can get financing to purchase it. My IT job slowly being outsourced to people in India that will work for pennies on the dollar. Then to add insult to injury I get the India people calling to ask why I am late on a payment. At what point will the middle class people of this country realize that we have all been sold out! The corrupt individuals in Washington and at the state level have been lining their pockets with our money for years with crooked legislation and taxes on everything, and now that the wheel has fallen off the bus the only solution that they can come up with is going to be more taxes on the very people that they have already ruined. Where is my bailout package? What form do I need to fill out to get a bailout package? I can't even plan on getting a job at Mcdonalds because all the illegal aliens that our government didn't want to deal with have those already!!! Well I guess it won't be long before we will be sneaking across the border into Mexico, I hear there is a labor shortage down there.

Am I afraid of losing my job? To a certain point I am, but I'm not letting it consume me. What worries me more is hearing people say that we're headed for another "Great Depression" Unlike most people, I decided to do some research our economy. Our government has had to do a so-called "bail-out" numerous times dating back to the 1800's even. Guess what? It obviously worked. This isn't the first time the government has had to shore up the economy and it won't be the last. I do, however, feel that Obama's tax plans will have a negative impact on the economy. But, I believe in Capitalism and it will still work out as it always has. Don't worry folks.....it'll be a tough road, but it will get better. The Dems will not reach 60 and we'll be safe. Oh, and I agree with Paul. Amen to that!

Pretty sure some laws were broken in the midst of the economic crisis and the bail out. What I want to see are some proper investiigations of the who what when where and how followed by some heads on a plate in federal district court. There is no way we(I say that loosely)got ourselves in this big a hole without some in propriety, so where are the heads? I live in a small town and you can bet if I had a small business going under the ywouldnt bail me out, I would go bankkrupt and fall flat and have to start all over again. We do need change, at the ballott box. We had good candidates on both sides and between the special interest and the Media, we ended up voting for the Evil of two lessers once again.

Am I worried about loosing my job? No. It's not that I can't or won't loose my job. My comfort comes from the fact that we paid off our $200k house, drive two older paid for cars and have an empty nest as of this summer. We've saved both in 401k (that obviously have taken a big hit) as well as personal savings of much more than a year's worth of expenses so we can easily weather the storm if either of us loose our job. What really bugs me however is that I believe I have done the right thing - living well below my means, saving and staying out of debt. But I will be expected to pay for all those who didn't save, who bought more house than they could afford using 110% mortgages with ARMs, driving cars they couldn't afford and maxing out their credit cards etc. Doing the right thing should not be a punishable offense but I fear with the current bail out furry and incoming liberal federal government that I will be severally punished so that those who made bad decisions can be rewarded. Life is not fair.

I think I'm safe for now. I work for a wireless company and being that the cellphone has become everyone's lifeline, most people will keep it for as long as the can. Folks on other utility companies like landlines are already out the door :(

I don't think that my job is safe. I work for a financial institution that is being bought out. Hmm... have you guessed which one yet? Anyway, Wells Fargo does not promise any jobs to our current employees. HELLO that is scary. I don't think that because the REPUBLICANS made poor decisions over the past 8 years should put my job into jeopordy. Let alone put my father's pension from GM in jeopordy. Do they want everyone except the extremely rich to become homeless, that is where we are headed. Do we want to happen to America what happened in Germany? Where it will take every penny you make to buy a loaf of bread? I might as well move to Canada where the government cares about their people. Our government sure has not shown us that. Well at least anyone that is not from the upper class.

I live in New Mexico where things are not as problematic as they are in the rest of the country. The State has ordered a hiring freeze but doesn't expect ( at least at this time) to lay off anyone. I'm a bit concerned about losing my job, but I don't depend on money directly to sustain me. I have what I have because the Lord God has seen fit that I should have it. If I lose my job He will sustain me because I trust in Him. A gentleman called in to a conservative radio talk show and said that abortion and gay marriages should be of prime concern. The talk show host said the Economy takes center stage and these other issues should be of little concern at this point. I submit to you the reason we have economic problems is because the US made a statement that she wasn't concerned about the unborn or gay marriages (issues very important to God) by electing a Democratic pro choice, pro gay president. Because we have chosen the god of money over moral issues we will suffer the consequences - we haven't seen nothing yet.

I already lost my job in the technology sector. This is the second time, and the last time that I will be in the tech sector. I am switching and going into another area all together.

Thank you for your interest in what's going on out their.

Since I am self employed I do not fear losing my job because I have a greater degree of control. When you work for an hourly wage or salary you are at the mercy of your employer. Always remember most companies be they large or small were not created for the benefit of the employees but for the benefit of the principals and/or investors. Work is a four letter word.

James, don't be goofy. If every taxpayer was gven 1 million - assuming 100 million tax payers that would come to $100 Trillion dollars -or get this - an astonishing million dollars per taxpayer - duh.

Absolutely. There won't be any jobs left for anyone (except the 30% of the people employed by the government). Congress has a protected retirement plan yet they are fanatically trying to get our 401K funds given to the government as they'll need our money to fund the government. Please be patriotic and unselfish when you are required to hand over your hard-earned 401K funds. The credit card crisis is now rearing its ugly head and as Paulson pointed out in his speech -- the credit card crisis is far worse than the mortgage crisis. It is way past a worldwide recession, it is about Worldwide Depression. It is is not financial crisis, it is financial chaos. Absolutely no one knows what to do. Protect your family!

What are you complaining about? Didn't you hear about hope, change, etc. We can all go build roads and bridges. Now, how do I use this shovel?

No because I'm quickly starting a sub-prime lending business and applying for a bailout. As soon a I get the money I'll go on a lavish business trip and issue myself a huge bonus for shrewd financial planning. Hopefully I can go out of business twice and get bailouts each time.

Not at all, in fact I could use a break. The great thing about living in the country, is that we still hunt, fish and grow gardens. When things get so bad that people in the cities are killing each other for food we will still be trucking along quietly clinging to our guns and religion etc... so for those of you who voted for is about to come, you get what you vote for. It would be a burden to loose my job, i have abrand new vehicle to pay for and lots of creature comforts, but I have lived the hard way before and it doesnt scare me a bit. What scares me is what is happenning to our rights and our country and the trampling of our Constitution.

I am concerened about my job. I am in a union in which thier contract w/ the company is up in april, I had feared before we may be on strike, but then i gained a little faith we would not be on stirke because so much precedent was set forth by other deals made by other unionsbefore our negotiations. Now w/ an Obama presidency i fear the union will not budge on anything. I beleive now we may be on strike for a very long time because of the unions selfishness. I belive my job will be jeopardy because of the new contract and the strike will show my job is expendable. All i know is you will not see me on the picket line, I will look for temporary work . If i have to cross the line , i will with out reservation because i will be providing for my family. SO the union can go to hell

I work in technical support and with the current economic crisis, I can see the proverbial writing on the wall. My company already uses foreign support crews for some of the initial calls, but now I hear that by the end of the year, all tech support calls for my company's products will be chargeable! This means less people calling in for support, which means less need for call center folk like me, which means eventual layoffs. I only hope that by the time that happens the economy would be stabilized and a job will be more available to me.

worry? does that help? fear? that is what is sold by the media. are things looking rough financially? things staying the same is an illusion. they always change. what is 'better' depends on your perspective, and time always changes that perspective, as well as many other factors. holding on tight to money, power, health, beauty, are all ultimately fruitless attachments. letting go and living in the moment is a much more peaceful, empowering way to live.

I'm a highway construction worker and generally work eight months a year weather permitting. I'm real concerned about having work in the spring things arent looking very promising. I'm close to layoff now with not alot of hopes in getting called back any time soon .

I am not concerned for my job, I am a nurse, but I am concerned about my husband. He is in the professional services industry, and though is his highly regarded where he works, I still worry. I know bonus money has been cut to the bone. Also...people need to remember that not all bonus money goes to the top of a corporation. Lots of lower/middle managament get a good part of their compensation based performance.

The question should be, are you going to find a job. My husband was laid off from a small business last January, and has sent out 100’s of resumes. He’s 58. Is he being overlooked due to his age and experience? Companies are interested in keeping costs down, so they are looking for people that they can hire at a lower wage. We are paying COBRA, with the rates expected to increase in January. Unemployement benefits are running out. Now what? The market is dead...companies need bail-outs. Our economy will continue to have problems unless we allow big businesses to fail.

Not in the slightest am I worreied about losing my job due to this economic slow down. I am worried about losing my job when all of the future administrations unreasonable plans and policies are implemented. The politicians that lobbied for those who had no business getting loans are the ones to fix this problem, give me a break. Cut the corporate tax rate, capital gains tax and watch what happens, that is the fix we need. What states are hurting the most right now? Michigan, California, New York, they have higher than average corporate tax rates, think that one over.

The question should be, are you going to find a job. My husband was laid off from a small business last January, and has sent out 100's of resumes. He's 58. Is he being overlooked due to his age and experience? Companies are interested in keeping costs down, so they are looking for people that they can higher at a lower wage. We are paying COBRA, with the rates expected to increase in January. Unemployement benefits are running out. Now what?

I am not concerned about my job. I work for a gas/oil drilling company based out of Canada. The office I work out of is in Texas. The economy is pretty good in this neck of the woods. I am an Accounting Coordinator, which basically I compile and run numerous reports and various other duties for the site Cost Accountant. I am more concerned about my wife getting a job...she was laid off by a mortgage company about two months ago and is still looking for work. I have been listening to some of the information coming over the airwaves and I am starting to believe the true way to get this economy back on its feet is to issue out $1 million checks to anyone paying taxes in 2007 over the age of 18. This would allow people to pay off their bad debt, mortgages and inject spending into the economy. Heck, if we have to pay for the money, why not "lend" it to us not these damn corporations that are going to use it badly...ie: AIG.

I'm not really concerned about losing my job, since I have been planning to retire in a short while. What I am really concerned about is: 1. Having saved all my life for a comfortable retirement, the new Congress and Administration may forceably take all my retirement savings and give me a measley pension promise from Social Security. No Thanks, I've done it on my own until now and I don't need their "help." 2. The corrupt politicians that created this diasaster are now in charge of fixing it. Wow, that is scary. I have little faith that these Liberals have any clue on real world economics and they are heading down a path that will be extremely painful for all Americans (Liberal, Conservative, Rich, Poor, etc.) 3. Just waiting for the hyper-inflation to kick-in in 2010 or 2011. The Treasury and the Fed are printing money like no tomorrow. If we can get the economy stablized, then all this money is going to create inflation scenarios like we have not seen and will de-value the dollar to pennies overseas. 4. Just who is buying all the Treasury Notes/Bills that are backing these wacky bailout plans? If they are our adversaries, then we are giving them the economic and financial "hangman's noose" for the US. To absolutely cripple this nation for decades/generations, all they have to do is "demand payment" or declare them worthless and them dump them on the world market. Then the US dollar is worth nothing, our economy vaporizes, and everyone's wealth disappears. But, I doubt that our friends in China or in SW Asia would ever do that to us. HAH!!!

I work in the construction industry on the industrial side. Our business has slacked off, and I am concerned about the lack of new projects. Personally, my wife and I are prepared for a job loss with an emergency fund, but the business I work for is not. I do not see us continuing much longer.

I think that everyone who voted for Obama should lose their jobs first because that is the "change" they voted for.

It would be naive to think that anyone is exempt from the possibility of job loss.

after 15 years of self employment my largest client may not renew my contract. They are considering taking in house to cut costs. Even if they do renew my contract, I low balled so low, I will take a huge it, but still be able to pay bills. My gut tells me, I will be looking for a second job within the next two weeks. Even a 3rd job, if need be. Cash Flow is the issue and it effects us all from the top to bottom of the food chain. And what the government is doing, is just a mess. I do not think any of them from the White House, Treasury Dept, Congress, Senate are qualified to be making these spontaneous decisions to jump in quickly and give tax dollars is over the top. And obviously the Market is responding negatively to each announcement.

And one more thing - the Unions are just as guilty of fleecing america as bad corporate executives are.

Absolutely I am concerned. Who isn't? When a bailout of 700bn isn't enough, you know you are in for some hard times. If you are looking for the gov't to save you, you are very sadly mistaken. If they had let things roll as they should have, it would have corrected itself without going as far south as it is going now. These so called experts that are running these programs are making it much worse than it has to be.

Absolutely! Offshoring was used years ago as an excuse to line the pockets of those on mahogany row in the name of "being more competitive." All it really served to do was pay executives their huge bonuses and provide them stock options they could cash out while destroying overall consumer confidence because of the out sourcing. Corporate America moved in the wrong direction and now they are begging for a bail out. Baloney! "Let them eat cake."

I WORK AND LIVE IN SW VA. I WORK IN MILLWORKS PLANT. IM VERY SCARED. CHINA IS KILLING US.

25 BILLION AS A GIFT WOULD NOT BE ENOUGH TO DIG OUT THE BIG 3, LET ALONE A "BRIDGE LOAN" AS IT IS BEING CALLED! THE IMPACT OF THE MONEY WOULD NOT FIND IT'S WAY INTO RESULTS FOR SEVERAL YEARS. OVER THAT SAME TIME SPAN THE DOLLAR WILL DEFLATE IN VALUE WHILE THE PRICE OF VEHICALS WILL INCREASE LEAVING A GREATER DISPARITY FOR THE CONSUMER TO OVERCOME. THE FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS WILL NOT BE LENDING IN SUCH A WAY AS TO MAKE IT POSSIBLE FOR MANY IF NOT MOST OF THOSE CONSUMERS TO PURCHASE A VEHICLE. I DONT SEE THE UNIONS STEPPING UP TO RELEAVE SOME OF THE FINANCIAL BURDONS VIA DECREASED WAGES AND BENIFITS, IN FACT THEY WILL LIKELY ASK FOR MORE! NOW CONSIDER THAT THE BULK OF LEASE TERMINATIONS WILL BE COMING IN OVER THOSE SAME FEW YEARS AND THE IMPACT THAT WILL HAVE ON GMAC, FMCC AND CHRY. FIN. THEY WILL BE TAKING HUGE LOSSES ON THOSE UNITS AND AS THEY ARE NO LONGER INTERESTED OR CANNOT AFFORD TO OFFER ANYTHING EVEN CLOSE TO COMPETITIVE FINANCING WILL NOT HAVE ANY REAL FORM OF REVENUE TO OFF-SET THOSE LOSES! WHAT GMAC DOES SEE COMING IN VIA AUTO LOANS IS WHOLEY SWALLOWED UP TOWARDS THE MORTGAGE FIASCO THEY ARE PART OF. PAY THE LOANS BACK! GOOD LUCK WITH THAT, JUST MORE MONEY DOWN THE DRAIN! I'VE STRAYED FROM THE QUESTION, YES MY JOB IS IN JEAPARDY! I WORK FOR A GM DEALERSHIP CURRENTLY AND HAVE 20 PLUS YEARS OF MY LIFE INVESTED IN THE AUTO SALES INDUSTRY.

I'm in the event industry and my whole company may go under due to companies cutting back on events. One of my major clients has dropped a holiday party they did for twelve years straight. Brides have gone to basic weddings. I have other skills and am working hard to get ready for losing my job.

Why do we hear so much about "bonuses"? I thought we were all trying to make do with what we have. If I don't have "extra", then I only buy the basic items. If a company is so afraid of going under, then I suggest they do what we all do. Cut back, and don't waste money. What makes these "CEO's", who need their "bonuses", immune to "lay offs", we sure have to worry about it, and "we" were not the ones who made the bad decisions, that put our company in such a bad financial state. Quit spoiling these big companies, and make the CEO's accountable for their mistakes, and quit worrying about "bonuses", when "we" are having to worry about how to pay our basic monthly bills.

Yes I think there will be more jobs lost. Add job loss to independent contractors out of work or underemployed, and then add small business closings and there's the real picture. What's that number, I think more like 12% - 13%. What do you think?

I'm a nurse. My hours may be reduced, but I have senority so I'll have my job. I'll have to increase my hours as my husband is in the construction business...in Michigan.

I think I'm in a great situation. I'm going to school right now to get my BS in Mechanical Engineering. I'm the Hall Director of a dormitory and going to school fulltime. Much of my tuition was paid for by scholarships this year (I used student loans the first two years! It's exciting!) and my job covers my apartment and food. Am I worried about losing it? Nope, they need me, and I'm not going anywhere. However, given the current market and that I'd be searching for a job out of college May 2010, I'm considering graduate school more now, since I'd be using my time during the horrible economy to build up my skills. Then when we get out of this, I'll have a master's and hit the job market running! None the less, I'm insanely worried about my parents. They are hurting and I'm almost better off financially than they are. I just hope they can pull through alright! The next few years will be rough, and my prayers are with everyone struggling!

Am I afraid of losing my job? Absolutely. I go to work every day wondering if it will be my last. I might not lose it by the end of the this year, but it will happen in the first quarter of 2009. The writing is on the wall. Seniority means nothing when it comes to the layoffs. What we are seeing here is just the tip of the iceberg. It will get much worse, and I see the unemployment rate at 10% or higher very quickly.

Obama has no pro-business ideas. This is the change America wanted. High taxes and restricted trade. Change we can believe in. Yes, I am afraid we are going to pay for not teaching history in our schools and mainly focusing on social issues.

YES I am very afraid of loosing my job and so should most everyone this is nothing like 1987 or 2001 like Tom O. said it will be a lot worse than 1929 and I think it is going to last much longer. I do know this What ever happens nothing will ever be as we know it again!!! One piece of advise if you are not prepared please start now cause when you loose your job it is going to be hard to feed you family remember BBG: beans,bullets,and gold!!!

Too late - already lost the job after eleven years. Working now at a non-profit and they're on thin ice. Not happy with the Wall Street folks who took greed to a whole new level. Could payoff alot of credit card debt for alot of families with just one jumbo bonus Wall Street guys may get!

Unfortunately I am in a situation where I have already lost my Information Technology job. My boss called me into his office on September 5th and said that due to lack of work in the pipeline they were letting me go. It was totally unexpected. Fortunately I have an opportunity coming up once my security clearance is updated. But it has not been pleasant watching the changes take place in our economy while I sit here unemployed.

I work for a non-profit that receives the majority of its funding from state grants. I realize and appreciate the fact that state taxpayers pay my salary. Based upon the current state of the economy, I am concerned for my job. However, based upon Obama's socialist ideas (none of which I agree with), maybe I should be looking forward to a raise.

It might sound a little crazy to say, but not really. I live in South Dakota and our unemployment rate here is under 3%. In my town, there are TONS of jobs available. If you want one, they are here for the taking. I work for a printing company and we are busy - in fact I have been putting in overtime. The housing market here is also in pretty good shape. I'm not real happy with my 401k - but then again, who is. LOL.

Afraid of losing my job? How about losing my business after 20 years of hard work and risking everything. The "top down" approach to solving the problem will not work. The solution needs to be from the "consumer/small business up". Enabling small busineses to regroup financially by providing us access to funding like that being offered to the big boys under TARP, puts the consuming Americans back to work and will have a true impact on the economy. $700 billion could provide $50,000 to 1.4 million businesses. As a garuantee to banks with tax incentives specifically for small business loans, the number of small businesses that can benefit (and the impact on the economy) grows exponentially.

I'm in the auto insurance industry and I'm very concerned about losing my job. I can't wait to be on the "To those with needs" end of socialism. Wonderful country we live in now.

I work for the United States Airforce in Alabama. the cost of living here is low compared to most of the rest of the country , and and as I am working for the military , i dont forsee my career being affected.

I feel this is going to be much worse than 1929 (and its subsequent depression) ever was. There is no honor left in government or industry and the average citizen is now paying for their dishonesty. Yes, I fear for my job and the jobs of most everyone else. Forget the corporate bailouts. Perhaps we should have a world-wide debt forgiveness for all entities and start over. No debt for anyone. Just keep what you've got and let's move on.