In a recent Copier Careers® poll, over 80% of respondents said that their employers had eliminated health and dental benefits and perks like 401(k) match programs, company cars, cell phones, client lunches, business travel, and paid lunch breaks. Although some respondents were angered by the cuts, a more common sentiment was gratitude.

“Here is the deal,” wrote one reader. “Our owner cancelled raises for techs, stopped 401(k) contributions, took away the company cell...and I feel lucky to have a job at all.”

Throughout the country, gratitude is on the rise. According to a December 2008 survey by Yahoo! HotJobs, overall job satisfaction is up 10% since 2007. The people who are still employed, it seems, are increasingly happy simply to hang onto their jobs when others are being let go.

Sherene McHenry, a professor of counseling at Central Michigan University, believes that there is also growing social and economic pressure to stifle complaints. “It isn't safe or wise to complain at work these days,” McHenry says. “When determining who to let go, nonunionized companies first get rid of complainers and those who are difficult to be around.”

For the most part, however, the upswing in gratitude appears to be genuine, and it is almost certainly fueled by economic insecurity.

“In good times, people often take for granted what they have, and whine about what they don't have,” says Will Bowden, a Missouri-based minister who runs a nonprofit organization called “A Complaint Free World”. “Bad times make people more grateful.”

What's your take? Are you grateful to be employed? Or is there more to complain about than ever? Drop us a line at abby@copiercareers.com, and let us know what effect the economy is having on your attitude—and on your gratitude.
 

Nobody likes laying people off. But for businesses struggling to stay afloat, throwing ballast overboard is sometimes the only choice. If the economy is forcing you to lay off workers, the least you can do is try to soften their landing. Here are a few tips to help you do that.

1. Be honest and transparent. No one wants to lose their jobs, period. But even in emotional situations, most people are rational and able to understand why layoffs are necessary. Be upfront with your employees about the company's financial situation and be honest about why you have chosen to eliminate their positions. They might not like what they hear, but they'll feel better knowing that there's a method to the madness.

2. Give your employees ample notice. The sooner you can inform your employees that they've been selected for layoffs, the better. During the weeks prior to their last days, try to be flexible about giving them time off to attend job interviews or career fairs. If you can't give them extra notice, you might consider letting them use the office copier or fax to help them prepare for the job hunt.

3. Give employees a good letter of reference. "Often the biggest thing you can do is offer to write a glowing letter" says Sally Klingel, director of labor management programs at the Cornell School of Industrial and Labor Relations. Use the letter to explain why the employee was cut and to vouch for his or her talent, experience, and value.

4. Talk to your contacts. Ask your clients, vendors, and competitors to see if anyone is currently taking on new staff. It might sting to see one of your people go to work for a rival company, but as least you'll know that you've helped keep a good worker employed.

5. Keep in touch. Business could pick up sooner than you think it will. If you keep in contact with your former employees, you may be able to offer them work again before they find it elsewhere. Among other things, this could save you the hassle and expense of filling a position with an outside hire.

6. Instead of laying people off, consider cutting back hours. Many of our readers report that their employers have cut hours rather than eliminating positions entirely. While the situation isn't ideal, it can be preferable to the alternative and may be beneficial for morale. Many workers are willing to deal with temporary cutbacks if it means keeping their jobs in the long run.

7. Encourage laid off employees to send their resumes to Copier Careers®. Even in this tough economy, we're still matching qualified employees with great copier industry jobs every day. Job seekers can visit us at www.copiercareers.com/job_seekers.shtml to submit their resumes and search our nationwide job listings.

Last month, we asked our readers whether their employers had cut perks to save money during the recession. Over 80% of them said yes. Laptops, insurance coverage, 401(k) contributions, cell phones, travel, and vacations days were among the most commonly reported cuts. Reader comments included:

"My company sent out a memo stating that revenue and profits were up. In the next sentence, they also said they are 'temporarily' suspending 401(k) matching. That is ridiculous. Somebody up top has zero PR skills."

"My employer took away company phones—we're getting a $20 a month allowance now. They also stopped 401(k) matches and reduced our mileage reimbursement. It's still better than most industries, though."

"Having to cut perks is no doubt one of the good things coming out of the recession. I've found over my fifty years in business that perks create more problems than good."

"I don't mind the cuts if we all make it through this. I'm in sales and my income has actually gone up because I work harder than anyone."

"My employer froze pay, stopped 401(k) contributions, and raised the employee portion of the health insurance premium. As a tech, my take home pay is now 8% less than what it was last year. Our company's sales are up, so it looks to me like sales reps are making all the money."

"We are not allowed to take customers to dinner or purchase gifts any more. If we want to buy dinner, it is on us."

"It is just smart business to tighten your belt in these tough economic times so you can become stronger in the long run."

"I never thought that health care was a perk but our dealership shifted the entire premium to the employees. It's a 10% pay cut for me to cover my family. Welcome to the new economy."

"Our company wants the employees to know they are important and so far we have been able to continue all perks, maintaining morale."

Do you feel grateful to be employed?

- Yes.
- No.