Anyone working for a company that has sent people on layoff yet because of the virus?
I work for a big steel company in Canada. Nothing yet. Only takes a few suppliers to shudder supplies to the big car manufacturers or some of the big car manufacturers to shudder and things will start to steam roll quite quickly down hill to the supply chains.
Bus. as usually for now, stay tuned by hr it seems right now.

Jeff

 

Jeff, hopefully there aren't going to be major lay offs. I work for the FAA and there have been numerous e-mails circulating about mandatory telework. Since I can't fix radars by teleworking I'll just have to sit at home (apparently Unlce Sam will have to pay me too). A few of the OKC metro schools even cancelled school today because of corona virus scares (next week is spring break though).

 

Already hitting the oilfield workers in West Texas. Midland/Odessa is being hit hard because of the oil price drops.

 

My uncle has been in the oil business for eons and it has always been volatile and rises and drops in response to global issues. The price war between Saudia Arabia and Russia is what is causing the current turmoil in the US oil industry. This is totally unrelated to the coronavirus issue.

 

I just talked to one of gym rat friends who works at the Delta Plant here in Lansing, "seven days a week" they just added a 3rd shift. I am sure one part could kill that in a hurry!

Pat

 

This too will pass....

 

I've been reading that one of the (I think will be beneficial) side-effects of this is that manufacturing will be brought back to the U.S. Too many critical parts, too many critical drugs, are made only in China. We've been warned about coming shortages, which will hopefully not be long-lasting, of vital drugs. What this episode has shown is that it's not good to be too reliant on China or any one country for critical components in any sector of manufacturing. Companies will think longer and harder about moving production overseas, especially to countries that are not necessarily our friends.

 

As long as you have enough toilet paper!

 

Yes indeed sir it will...

 

I work in telecom at Denver International Airport. Anecdotally, I'd say travel is down by about 30-40%. Monday mornings are still hard and heavy, but the rest of the week for daytime flights has thinned significantly. For airport staffing there has been some effect, as well. We are part of the City and County of Denver. The Mayor is really buying into the remote work idea, wherever possible. We are provisioning remote VoIP phones on our PBX that people can take home and still have their desk number. Hand sanitizer and wipes are everywhere, now being provided by DIA's Materials Management outfit, for both employee and traveler use. Lots of "behind the scenes" type of roles are eligible to work remotely. Of course, the bunch that actually place the phones, pull and punch-down the wires, rack and stack network switches, service and install radios, fleet mechanics, Operations Managers, Fire and other Emergency Dispatch, load and full the planes, etc.- those folks have to be onsite in order to do their work. I'm a manager, so as of yesterday/Friday, I'm remote. I keep busy, but I feel like I'm playing hooky, LOL!

 

In an interesting twist, I run a small nursery selling plants. I had several families out buying plants today. They said since everything was shut down they were doing things around the house. We were very busy for this time in March. Some of it was the nice weather, also.

 

I work at a farm and lawn dealer. We had an annual open house on Wednesday. I would say that we had close to a record crowd of 400 total for the morning. We have been pretty busy for this time of year also. For us in the Lansing area, business as usual. I do to have to add that some of public gathering places that are local and state run are limited use or completely closed including schools. And of course our big chain grocery stores are terrible in stock on staple items. I am not going to sugar coat this, the ******** that are hoarding and act like the sky is falling, stop and act normal!!!!!

The wife and I are taking off Wednesday morning for a state that has 1/4 of the reported cases. We will take the necessary steps by wearing gloves, masks when we think that it's wise and wiping down hard surfaces on the plane and airports. We will clean our condos handles, utensils and hard surfaces.

Pat

 

X2. And things were already being set into place that will make this even easier. I have personal experience with one manufacturer that is leaving China and coming home before this virus thing started. This just reinforces that decision

 

If I had not already had my vacation stuff planned my family would be on a plane headed to southern Florida for a swim at the beach. Airfare is way down right now and perfect to take a trip.

 

Wife works for Scholastic's Canada as a project leader, computer programmer analyst for 30+ years now, the people who showed up Friday were told not to eat in the cafeteria and to eat at their desks. Anyone ordering food for lunch from outside source has to meet them out in the parking lot and then re-enter the office building.. Friday her department were told to work from home for the next three weeks. Another department (book fairs) were laid off until Sept. The office towers are being cleaned from top to bottom over the weekend.
I'm waiting on material to make parts and on Friday they would not give me a delivery date because their source isn't sure how this week is going to play out. Went to the bank on Friday and all you can taste in the air is disinfectant and the tellers are wearing gloves.
Getting scary out there now.

 

You are correct, air fares are down for a reason. It is the best time to be staying home and not travelling. There is a world wide pandemic in progress and any unnecessary trips should be avoided. Not to rain on anyone's parade, but things will get much worse before it gets better. Take precautions as you should and stay well.

 

I work for a big federal government contractor and they have already informed us that if we get sick, we are expected to use our vacation days for any missed work, and if we do not have enough saved up, then it's the infamous LWOP (Leave Without Pay).

And who says big companies are heartless?

 

What about short term disability? If you work for a large company and they don't have that, then you're working for the wrong company.

Or as a last resort, tell them you'll just have to come back to work as soon as you're worst days pass to pay the bills. You'll probably have some immunity by then. See what they say then.

 

I was at my favorite watering hole/restaurant last night with my girlfriend when the word came down that all the bars & restaurants in Ohio had to close by 9 pm. It was around 6 o-clock when the news broke & the place actually got really busy! I feel really bad for the people that work there plus the owner's a long time friend. Carry out is still allowed & they do a huge carry-out business at this place but I don't know if it's enough to hold him over 'til this passes. I work at a huge Ford truck assembly plant & we all feel a temporary company-wide shut-down is coming anytime. Our gov. is also thinking about canceling the remainder of the school year( all schools were suppose to start a 3wk extended spring break starting today!!

 

Today is day 1 of a month vacation, plenty of time to catch up on a years worth of home and machine projects!

 

Same with mine. My facility is open, but I have heard the F word (furlough). It’s only my side gig and I’ve been trying to cut my hours anyway, I don’t mind saving the 500 mile round trip every week. Can’t show up to work if you’re not allowed through the gate!

 

Yeah, but I'm what they deem as "mission essential". Lucky me. This means that I go in no matter what. Color me important.

 

I'm also essential personal; my facility literally ceases to function without my particular job. But I'm fortunate in that I'm more than happy to cede my shifts to others who need them more, should the F word materialize. Saves me the 500 mile round trip commute!

 

Just had a thought, my body guy installs pools in the summer. I wonder if his pool installs or body and paint will be affected more? He is the best there is at both in this area so it may not affect him at all. If he does loose pools he only has one car lined up after mine right now that I know of. If you are in the Indiana area and need quality body work you may be able to get in?

 

Still very busy at the nursery today. Kinda waiting for the other shoe to drop. My problem is I will basically do 50% of my years gross in the next 8 weeks or so. Keep going as long as we can. The business was started in Feb. of 1929 so it has survived some bad times before.