Of course I am scared! I work for the auto industry, and from the start of the year I've only worked 4 days a week. I only hope and dream things will get better! A lot of people have been laid off and I just hope that doesn't happen to me.
I guess its where your at and what your trade is. I have been working 14 hour days for a month. I was recently offered a new job and start in a week. More money, less hours, and a dream job.
Being self-employed, I haven't got a job to lose. There's still a chronic shortage of translators in Japan, so I think it's highly unlikely I'll find myself without work. I hope that's the case, anyway.
I imagine it depends somewhat on your field/specialty. I know some finance freelancers who are having to scrounge around (and some others who are still doing just fine).
I work in manufacturing too...and it is pretty grim.
We have cut almost all of the hakken people, and the rest are bound to go too. Next are the part timers, then they will start asking for early retirement, then cut buchos, etc.
We have not gone to a 4 day work week, but it is an option the company is looking at.
I do translation too...thinking about extending my feelers on that for some more cash.
There's still a chronic shortage of translators in Japan, so I think it's highly unlikely I'll find myself without work. I hope that's the case, anyway.
Yes, a chronic shortage of good translators, anyway. No shortage of hacks. Unfortunately, not a great demand for good translators and the pay is low, which is why it tends to be women's work in Japan.
not a great demand for good translators and the pay is low, which is why it tends to be women's work in Japan
Not quite my experience....I like to think I'm good at my job, I always have a pretty full timetable and I earn a lot more than I could in any comparable office job (much shorter hours, too). It's work that can be done at home and bent around family obligations, so in that sense it's good 'woman's work'. I have no complaints. (Well, I have, lots... but not with the actual work, or the pay)
Im in the auto industry too, I think anyone in paid employment in any field should be worried.
That said, because of the dire situation, personally its been one of my busiest years with more time away from home than any time I can rememember. I recently had to lay off 12 of my team, its the second time and gets no easier. Not a pleasant experience.
If Americans are willing and able to move then they can find a job a lot easier. Some people are trapped in houses because the housing bubble. When I got out of the chair farce I got the very first job I applied for and got emails from 13 other companies since then so I am not too worried.
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earthcreature
Of course I am scared! I work for the auto industry, and from the start of the year I've only worked 4 days a week. I only hope and dream things will get better! A lot of people have been laid off and I just hope that doesn't happen to me.
DXXJP
I guess its where your at and what your trade is. I have been working 14 hour days for a month. I was recently offered a new job and start in a week. More money, less hours, and a dream job.
cleo
Being self-employed, I haven't got a job to lose. There's still a chronic shortage of translators in Japan, so I think it's highly unlikely I'll find myself without work. I hope that's the case, anyway.
flammenwerfer
@ Cleo - now I see how you spend so much time on the net and this site :-)
Thankfully my job's' are not subject to economic whims.
Honen
Cleo,
I imagine it depends somewhat on your field/specialty. I know some finance freelancers who are having to scrounge around (and some others who are still doing just fine).
namabiru4me
I work in manufacturing too...and it is pretty grim. We have cut almost all of the hakken people, and the rest are bound to go too. Next are the part timers, then they will start asking for early retirement, then cut buchos, etc. We have not gone to a 4 day work week, but it is an option the company is looking at. I do translation too...thinking about extending my feelers on that for some more cash.
PaulieWalnuts
There's a possibility I may lose my job, but I'm not worried about it so, No
Nessie
Yes, a chronic shortage of good translators, anyway. No shortage of hacks. Unfortunately, not a great demand for good translators and the pay is low, which is why it tends to be women's work in Japan.
cleo
Not quite my experience....I like to think I'm good at my job, I always have a pretty full timetable and I earn a lot more than I could in any comparable office job (much shorter hours, too). It's work that can be done at home and bent around family obligations, so in that sense it's good 'woman's work'. I have no complaints. (Well, I have, lots... but not with the actual work, or the pay)
dontpanic
Im in the auto industry too, I think anyone in paid employment in any field should be worried. That said, because of the dire situation, personally its been one of my busiest years with more time away from home than any time I can rememember. I recently had to lay off 12 of my team, its the second time and gets no easier. Not a pleasant experience.
mrcliff
Not worried...already lost it.
2020hindsight
I work in finance, so pretty safe.
Mz
2020hindsight - you work "in finance" and think that's "pretty safe"? I'm curious, as I would think that's one area where jobs are not "safe"...?
dr_jones
How could I loose my job? That would mean I have to fire myself!
memyselfI
You can't hold a job forever !!!!! That's immpossible. No job is secure ! ! ! Except Toe Nail Catcher
Now that's a job I love !!!!!
nath
Chance'd be a fine thing - I keep trying to make them fire me but they won't. They're trying to make it so unpleasant that I quit.
hworta269
If Americans are willing and able to move then they can find a job a lot easier. Some people are trapped in houses because the housing bubble. When I got out of the chair farce I got the very first job I applied for and got emails from 13 other companies since then so I am not too worried.