Winds of change

[Spanky]

On Monday we were all told that in the 3rd quarter everyone was going to be required to take 6 days off. Also we were going to go to 50% staffing on weekends. Fab wide we were going to loose 8 indirect labor and 25 direct labor people to other fabs in the company. All this because of the reduced loadings and the fact that the company is still trying to pay profit sharing.

So yesterday I find out that my counterpart on the other half of the week is being transferred. He is the working foreman for two shifts. So now that side will be running without a supervisor. Our department has two project technicians and one of them will move to that shift to make up for the man power loss. As far as the supervisor position, it is not going to be filled.

It is possible the other project tech will come to my shift and I will be moved to a Mon - Thur shift in order to cover all 4 shifts of technicians. I have talked about this in the past but it looks like it might happen. The only problem that I know of is they are trying to bring back my old supervisor to do the Mon-Thur thing but there are problems with manpower and cost. It just depends on if they are willing to increase headcount after they reduced it to what they feel is right.

So now I have to take a wait and see attitude.

[Uisce Beatha]

Rock on brutha. 

Can't quite tell if you're bummed, excited or indifferent.   

[Spanky]

Right now I don't know what to think.

[Aske]

Right now I don't know what to think.

welcome to stroh's world.

[Spanky]

Right now I don't know what to think.

welcome to stroh's world.

Actually it's more like he is in my world. the freeloader.

[stroh]

Can't quite tell if you're bummed, excited or indifferent.   

This was kind of my take on it after reading it. 

Good luck either way. 

[twoiron]

 

About half past five...

[Spanky]

The problem here is I don't know what to think about this change. If I get moved to Mon - Thurs that's great for me. If they bring in the other guy I am booted out of my position. I could apply at another company and could probably get a job. Question is at this point what do I do. Thus the wait and see attitude.

If anyone bails out that opens up a spot for the other guy to come in and I am out of my position. If no one bails I don't know. The shifts would be lopsided if he comes in. If I get moved they would be evened out and possibly help the other end. It sucks because I really don't know what to do at this point.

[Clive]

I'd be looking for a new job regardless.  Unless you think this ship can turn itself around, it's plain that it's slowly sinking.  Lifeboat or deck chair -- your choice.

[Spanky]

I'd be looking for a new job regardless.  Unless you think this ship can turn itself around, it's plain that it's slowly sinking.  Lifeboat or deck chair -- your choice.

That's just it, it's not sinking. The company is being smart about it. Business will turn around. Semiconductor business is very cyclical. And when it ramps up it does it very fast. The idea here is to keep the talent and not lose them during the down turn. We have been down that road in the past and it was very painful when things picked up.

[Fuzzy]

I'd be looking for a new job regardless.  Unless you think this ship can turn itself around, it's plain that it's slowly sinking.  Lifeboat or deck chair -- your choice.

That's just it, it's not sinking. The company is being smart about it. Business will turn around. Semiconductor business is very cyclical. And when it ramps up it does it very fast. The idea here is to keep the talent and not lose them during the down turn. We have been down that road in the past and it was very painful when things picked up.

I wish that was our leadership's vision. They seemed to like shedding the talent in semiconductor downturns and being ill-prepared for the next upturn. 

They are Clive's proverbial sinking ship company. Luckily I found a spot on a rescue boat. You're right about your company Spanky. I've seen them make good decisions in the past. Just make sure you do what's right for you. Good luck.

[Clive]

I'd be looking for a new job regardless.  Unless you think this ship can turn itself around, it's plain that it's slowly sinking.  Lifeboat or deck chair -- your choice.

That's just it, it's not sinking. The company is being smart about it. Business will turn around. Semiconductor business is very cyclical. And when it ramps up it does it very fast. The idea here is to keep the talent and not lose them during the down turn. We have been down that road in the past and it was very painful when things picked up.

Didn't realize we were talking about a LARGE company (capital M?).

That said, though ... what do they expect those 33 people to do when laid off, sit around waiting for the "come back" phone call?  If they do hire the former boss, do you get moved or become No. 34?  How long is the cycle?  They going to provide any income for you while you're idle?

I guess if you're willing to endure the layoff, eat into savings, and have a decent job to return to when it's boom time again ... then stick with it.  Despite not being from Texas, I'm more conservative than that option demands.

[Spanky]

Ok let me try to clarify a little. No one is getting laid off. The 35 people are being transferred to other factories in the company that are more loaded and need the people. These transfers are usually permanent. I would not be laid off just not in the same position I was in. I would still be there. Working in the same place.

No one is losing their job. That's the point of the changes. Make smart personnel changes to better suit the situation. Now I am not saying I would do a better job then my former boss. He is more of a hard ass and I am more of people person.

And the company I work for makes calculators and little tiny mirrors that make HDTV look pretty good. I believe Aske can attest to that. They are also the second or third largest chip maker in the world. If that's not enough to tell you who it is, we also helped ET phone home.

Here is the real crux. Do I stay and maybe take on more responsibility or get demoted, whatever management decides. Or do I bail out and get a different job, start all over as low man on the totem pole.