Christ. This is hard.
I've been with the company I work for 2 years - approximately 3 years LESS than anyone else that works (worked) there.
When I started, there were 10 of us, now we're down to 3.
The owner of the company (my direct supervisor from the start - I am his "executive assistant") has figured out that I have the skillsets of EVERYONE in the office, and has laid the other 7 people off over the last year. Yes, we need to do this to keep the company afloat, but I feel absolutely fucking awful for the staff we have laid off.

Don't get me wrong - I'm incredibly grateful that I have the skillsets I have (which basically amounts to 17 years admin experience, plus a bit of everything else, currently working in the mobile tech industry and have the ability to pick up what the customers need to know).

But, I spend most nights on the computer working away - this could be updating our eBay store, invoicing what I didn't get around to during business hours, updating the company website, whoring us out to industry forums.
If I'm not at home, I have my laptop everywhere and the only exception I make to that rule is if I'm out at dinner, a concert or a ballgame (i.e. somewhere I can't take it), and in those instances I have my PDA so I can at least answer emails.

I think my point of this post is what I said above - trying to keep the company afloat - so that when things do get better, we can employ you, you and you.

The downside is, small businesses have to let go good employees, the upside is, people like me need your help (and if you live in Southern California, send me your resume/CV!!!). There are companies out there that could manage to take on a part time person, cash in hand.

I wish all of you who are currently unemployed good luck. I really do. I hope this post doesn't come across as bragging, because it's really not meant to. I just wanted to give a view on things from a "small business owner" (although I don't own the place, I do everything required to run it).
( Batshitmentalist is sane for once, Wed 8 Apr 2009, 6:47, 1 reply)

"and if you live in Southern California"
If I did I wouldn't be wishing my time away on here, I'd be making the most of the world around me.

Almost feel like saying "and if you live in Southern California" on a thread about unemployment is akin to suggesting tips on servicing your ferrari to the same group of cash strapped hopefuls.

Good luck with the company though!
(golddust QOTW now revolves around being a cunt, Wed 8 Apr 2009, 9:29, closed)