Cancel now or wait and see?

[Jenn1116]

I've planned a trip for my parents, me and DD for next winter. However, I just came from a meeting at work regarding the budget cuts. The company I work for is private, non-profit and our funding comes from state and county. The meeting was to discuss ways to keep clients on our program which = $$$. It was mentioned, though, that the budget is due out in October and we won't know until then if there will be lay-offs. This is my very first full - time job. It's the start of my career. I've only been with this company since August and I'm certain I'll be one of the staff members laid off if it comes to this. I'm very worried.

Should I cancel the trip now before I surprise my parents or should I wait and see what happens?

 

[CindyH]

Do you mean this winter? I would think you could be honest with your parents, and ask them to "hold" the dates, but they should be aware that you might need to cancel due to your job situation.

Depending on the age of your daughter, I'd keep it a secret unless she too needs to hold the dates.

 

[blackjackdelta]

Having been thru this type of senario before, I would wait and see what shakes out. I would mentally start planning of what to do next but at the same time continue to show good work ethic. Depending you companies policy you may be in a better position than some.

Best of luck,

Jack

 

[Jenn1116]

Thanks bunches. I'm a real worry wart. I guess there's no point in sweating it right now.

 

[bumbershoot]

Obviously what one company does has no say over what another company might do, but hubby was hired one week, and very shortly after he came in to a horrible lay-off situation, where bosses were coming up to the unlucky ones, tapping them on the shoulder, and calling them away. Even though he was probably the most recent hire, he had already proven himself so valuable that he wasn't one of them.

Many times employers take advantage of needed layoffs to get rid of troublesome employees, and that employer *definitely* did.

So make yourself valuable!

As for whether you should cancel yet...that's hard to answer. If you don't cancel yet, make sure you are saving ALL the money you need to save for the trip and for just in case purposes, know all of your cancelation dates (if booking a package know what you will lose and when, if booking separately know your hotel's date, etc).

And of course if you are laid off, even if you get a job quickly afterwards, know they might not let you off, so be aware of that, too.

 

[bulldoggrl]

Could you also start looking for something else? You never know what is out there, even with the shaky economy. Look around, you might find something more stable that you like just as much, or better!

I would wait and see, you never know!

 

[scooter15]

I see you're in california and public universities are hiring- primarily the UC System. There's a large amount of research money coming into colleges now and the research programs usually last for a few years. Once you get your foot in the door it is easy to transfer to another dept in a permanent non grant position. I have friends that work for a UC school and they have been there forever.

 

[Jenn1116]

Thanks for all the great ideas. Fortunately I did not get a package and I'm booked at HoJos so I can wait up to the last 48 hrs, I believe. I did already purchase e-tickets, however if I can't go, I'll try to sell them I hope somebody trusts me!

It makes a lot of sense to get rid of those with poorest performance, the troublesome ones, and also those who are highest paid and in the same positions. But there's also the saying "Last hired, first fired." I guess we'll see.

Thanks for the tip about the UCs Scooter15. That's something to look into. I spent lunch checkin' out careerbuilder.com Maybe I should I apply with Disney?

Groan I may be laughing but I'm still stressed.

Thanks again for everyone's help!