Some large corporations reportedly are set to lower the boom, while small-business owners eye robust staff growth in 2008.
By Garry Kranz Comments 0 | Recommend 0
Bad News, Good News: Some major employers are considering layoffs this year,
further fueling fears that the U.S. economy is sliding into recession. According
to CareerProtection.com, a company that helps employees negotiate severance
deals or retirement packages, job cuts by major corporations will accelerate in
2008. The New York-based firm says it “has been inundated this month with
telephone calls from employees at Bear Stearns, Chrysler, Citigroup, Covidien
Healthcare, Ford, GM, Indy Mac and Sprint Nextel, [which] have announced plans
for reductions-in-force in January.”
Meanwhile, small-business owners are poised to add jobs. According to the
Alternative Board, a Westminster, Colorado-based firm that provides advisory
services, about 57 percent of the nation’s small businesses plan to hire more
people in 2008. Less than 4 percent expect to downsize. Small firms also expect
big things in 2008: Nearly 73 percent envision greater profitability, and 61
percent will increase their capital spending.
Workforce Management contributing editor Garry Kranz is based in Richmond, Virginia. E-mail editors@workforce.com to comment.
Reproductions and distribution of the above article are strictly prohibited. To order reprints and/or request permission to use the article in full or partial format, please contact our Reprint Sales Manager at (732) 723-0569.
Comments
Guidelines: Comments that include profanity or personal attacks or other inappropriate comments or material will be removed
from the site. We will take steps to block users who violate any of our posting standards, terms of use or privacy policies
or any other policies governing this site. You are fully responsible for the content you post.