How To Hold Onto Your Job During A Recession

January 23, 2009 by Barbara Swafford · 14 Comments
Filed under: Archives, At Work, Money Issues 
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Holding onto a job, whether we like it or not, has become essential with the country in a recession. Although many feel collecting unemployment is a good alternative, the benefits of our current job usually outweighs the benefits of being on unemployment.

For example, if your employer offers medical benefits, paying for these benefits ourselves could quickly eat into our weekly unemployment checks, as could the other perks we will no longer receive.

In order to secure our position in a company during a recession, it’s essential to do more than just show up. We need to do more than is expected of us and show those in authority, our skills are more valuable than what we’re being paid.

Some hints to keep in mind:

    1) Show up early.
    2) Have a good attitude – limit complaining, negativity and/or gossip
    3) Volunteer for extra work
    4) Be willing to learn other jobs – cross train
    5) Show respect for your superiors whether you like them or not
    6) Do not abuse your computer access – limit or completely stop personal emails (these can be tracked)
    7) Avoid incoming/outgoing personal phone calls – keep them to emergencies only. (your phone may be monitored)
    8.) Follow the rules – dress codes, use of personal cell phones, etc.
    9) Stay late when needed – be willing to help complete projects
    10) Be flexible regarding your work schedule, including working on weekends or your days off
    11) Do not abuse sick time, paid time off, or vacation time.
    12) Do not steal from your company – not even paper clips
    13) If you finish a project, ask for more work instead of just “looking busy”
    14) Learn to get along with your peers. Trouble makers are often the first to go.
    15) Remember you’re at work to work. Limit your conversations with fellow employee to breaks and/or lunches
    16) If needed, take college courses at night to increase your knowledge base
    17) Don’t assume seniority will protect you. When layoffs are imminent during a recession, companies often keep those who produce the most
    18) Don’t bad mouth the company you work for. Word gets around and others who are trying to hold onto their jobs may repeat what you said to the boss
    19) If you deal directly with customers, treat them with respect. Remember, it’s them who pays your wage. Without customers, companies will be forced to downsize or close their doors, recession or not.
    20) If your peers notice a change in your attitude and accuse you of sucking up, let them know your job is important to you and you’ve chosen to change your old ways.

Keep in mind, anything you learn on a job is something no one can take away from you. Whether you use this “free education” to procure another job, or move into self employment, what you’ve learned is yours to keep. Make the most of it.

So there you have it. If your job is threatened by a possible layoff due to the recession, put yourself in a position where you and your work will be valued and hopefully you’ll hold onto your job.

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Tags: Business, collecting unemployment, computer access, cross train, Dress code, Education, emergencies, Employment, jobs, keeping a job, Layoff, medical benefits, recession, seniority, Sick leave, Unemployment

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IRS Economic Stimulus Payment Checks – Questions

April 28, 2008 by Barbara Swafford · Leave a Comment
Filed under: Archives, Money Issues 

Today, April 28, 2008, IRS began sending out the economic stimulus checks. Over 130 million American households will receive the IRS economic stimulus payments.

Conditions apply in order to be eligible for an economic stimulus check. You must have had $3000 in income for 2007 and have filed a federal tax return for 2007.

The IRS has a special page on their website that addresses the issues of those who normally do not file a return. These return should have been filed by April 15, 2008, unless you received an extension.

To quote from the IRS website, you will not get a stimulus payment if:

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You don’t file a 2007 tax return.
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Your net income tax liability is zero and your qualifying income is less than $3,000. To determine your qualifying income, add together your wages, net self-employment income, nontaxable combat pay, Social Security benefits, certain Railroad Retirement benefits and certain veterans’ payments.
*
You can be claimed as a dependent on someone else’s return (whether or not you actually are claimed as a dependent on someone else’s return). For example, this would include a child or student who can be claimed on a parent’s return. [Updated 4/15/08]
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You do not have a valid Social Security Number.
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You are a nonresident alien.
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You file Form 1040NR or Form 1040NR-EZ, Form 1040PR or Form 1040SS for 2007.

For more information on the economic stimulus checks, including frequently asked questions, and an Economic Stimulus Payment Calulator, go to IRS.gov

Tags: economic stimulus, federal tax return, form 1040nr, form 1040pr, income tax liability, irs gov, railroad retirement benefits, self employment income, social security benefits, valid social security number

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