It is tough NOW. So how are we coping

ceridwen

silvercharming wrote: »

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Has anyone seen this economy tracker over on BBC news? It is really interesting - also really shocking and really depressing too.

Huge hugs :grouphug: to all the job hunters out there.

Well - I recall when there was shock because the unemployment figures had reached 3 million (and the population wasnt as big as it is now). Having said that - I don't know what the "tally" is currently of those who are unemployed but ways have been found to "massage" them off the figures of unemployed.

Back then - as I remember it - people basically had to have either a full-time job or benefit. There was no question of still being eligible for benefit if one worked less than 16 hours (as is the case now) - so it wasnt actually possible for many people to even think of asking for part-time jobs (but we are all well aware that many full-timers are now being forced into part-time jobs because of the lack of full-time jobs for them). Back then many fewer people in the 18-22 agegroup went to University - these days we are all well aware that its been a lot easier for people to get into University and some of those currently at University wouldnt have "made the grade" back in my time - but it suits the Government to keep them at University because it keeps them off the dole queues. Back then - the benefit most unemployed people got was the equivalent of what is now called "Job Seekers Allowance" - but these days many of the same people are on Incapacity Benefit instead (a fact that actually suits the Government in some ways...).

All round - it is now much more difficult to see what the "real" tally of unemployed is and my head starts spinning at the thought of trying to work out what proportion of University students and those on Incapacity Benefit are really unemployed in effect and then adding on all those who are in part-time jobs (when they intend to be in full-time ones) and those who have been unemployed between 6 months and 12 months and arent getting any benefit because they are married or equivalent (whereas back in my day one got non means-tested benefit for 12 months - so would still have been on record as unemployed during that 6 months to 12 months timespan after being made redundant even if one was married etc).

By now - I've lost count of just how many ways the last Government found to "spin" the figures ....:cool:

Hippeechiq

Greenqueen wrote: »

Well the cutbacks in public sector jobs have already started. I was called into a meeting last Thursday to be told our place was no longer viable due to a lack of funding. Basically it was ..dont bother coming back in next week! That`s just 2 days notice and I`ve worked for them for 8 years (am on garden leave), So here I am sitting at home wondering whats going to happen after my redundancy money runs out, probably just before Xmas. I`ve met some of my customers/clients/service users who are all devastated that there is now no facility available to them- it`s literally life changing for them and myself and my work colleagues.

I don't know what it is that you do/did for a living Greenqueen but I'm very sorry to hear that you're losing your job :grouphug:

Greenqueen_2

OMG my hubby got home tonight and said his post is going the week after next! Neither of us has ever been unemployed in all our adult lives.

BB1984

Hello, I'm a long-time lurker on this thread - I read it every day but because we have weird internet settings at work, I can't reply to any posts for some reason. As a result, I feel like I "know" who all of you regulars are, but you obviously have no idea who I am!

Brief intro: I'm a civil engineer, worked in the private sector until a year ago when for various reasons, job security being one of them, I changed jobs and now work as an engineer for Local Government. My hubby is a civil servant (don't tell anyone!), but has handed in his notice today as he has got another job working at a local university. I'm very worried about this because he is quitting a very good job to take one with £5k less salary!! But it does mean that he'll be at home all the time, instead of away all week (he works in London, we live in Dorset).

We've been tightening our belts because I took a 10% pay cut when I changed jobs, and now it looks unlikely I'll get a pay rise any time soon - plus OH's drop in salary. We also want to start a family next year, so have been saving hard and trying to pay down as much of our mortgage as we can. However, reading this thread reinforces to me that we are very very lucky indeed just to have jobs at all - and also that money really isn't everything, as long as you've got a roof over your head and food in your belly (and love in your heart )

In terms of the construction industry at the moment - yes, it's really suffering. I left my old company after surviving two rounds of redundancy and with a third approaching I jumped ship! My ex-colleagues (the ones who haven't been sacked) have all taken a 7 - 10% pay cut, and live with job uncertainty every day. The problem is in this country that our infrastructure is ageing and with a lack of investment, we're bottling up more problems for the future. But people (despite using it every day) generally don't appreciate how essential our roads/bridges/buildings/railways/sewers etc are. It's a difficult situation.

Anyway, this has turned into a rather long and rambling post, so I'll sign off now. Will try to get stuck in a bit more often in future - I appreciate the information and motivation that this thread gives me!

Cheers,

BB

elizabunny

Greenqueen wrote: »

OMG my hubby got home tonight and said his post is going the week after next! Neither of us has ever been unemployed in all our adult lives.

Oh I am so sorry. Words just seem very inadequate. I know this must be a terrible shock for you and I really hope, one or both of you can find something quickly, if only to get you through until something better comes along.
,

Penelope_Penguin

ceridwen wrote: »

but these days many of the same people are on Incapacity Benefit instead (a fact that actually suits the Government in some ways...)

By now - I've lost count of just how many ways the last Government found to "spin" the figures ....:cool:

Not just the last government. It was under Thatcher that people were moved from unemployment benefits to sickness benefits to massage the unemployment figures.

Mark my words, this coalition won't be the panacea that many think it is

Greenqueen - sorry to hear of your troubles. Hope you find new jobs soon.

mardatha

Greenqueen, you were led to this forum for a reason, and this was maybe it. Hang tight and keep OSing !

lauren_1

Greenqueen wrote: »

OMG my hubby got home tonight and said his post is going the week after next! Neither of us has ever been unemployed in all our adult lives.

I am very sorry and its utterly devastating but luckily (or shall i say unluckily) there are a lot of people here willing to share their experiences, guide you through the god awful minefield of claiming benefits and such like, give you a million and one helpful tips and just listen to you if needs be.

I tend to use this thread as a little 'off me chest' diary. It works too

smileyt_2

Greenqueen wrote: »

OMG my hubby got home tonight and said his post is going the week after next! Neither of us has ever been unemployed in all our adult lives.

Oh Greenqueen

tiredwithtwins

ceridwen wrote: »

The construction industry has already been affected. A friend of mine works in it and he said things changed and there has been a lot less work for him as from last year and its getting worse.

The construction industry has been on a downward slide for the last couple of years. my OH is a plasterer and he has very little work. contractors know he works to an excellent standard but they pay the cheapest they can ... hes worked about 20 days this last couple of months. im a nurse, so on a decent-ish salary, but even our jobs arent safe now
bad times for everyone ... good luck to everyone and big thanks to those who post regularly, you keep us lurkers going with your kind words and excellent os advice :T