Trouble in Paradise

I l @ ve RuBoard

If you haven't lost your job but fear that the pink slip could be just around the corner, here a few signs that trouble may be brewing in your company:

• Executive management is leaving the company ” If the senior executives are leaving, chances are good that the ship's going down.

• Your company has issued a hiring or overtime freeze ” Raises are pushed back and job openings are not being filled.

• Travel cutbacks ” People are being told to stay close to the office and teleconference instead of traveling to meetings and conferences.

• Expense reductions ” No more luncheons or dinners with clients .

• Support staff is thinning out ” This means you are going to have to make do with less.

Another clue is how the competition is doing. If the competition is already reducing staff, restructuring, or losing many of its top management, then the chances are pretty good that your company will follow suit.

Companies tighten their financial belts all the time. Consider AT&T ”they lay off people by the thousands and yet continue to churn onward. American Airlines periodically makes a clean sweep of its upper management, but they're still dominating the skies. However, if you see several signs at once, such as hiring freezes , management layoffs, and budget cuts, you just might want to dust off your resume. If you feel the inevitable is coming, start preparing before you're escorted from the building.

I l @ ve RuBoard