Is the recession making you depressed? Cranky?

[Munchkin03]

Originally Posted by KSigkid

That's been my experience as well. I know a bunch of people (both attorneys and staff) at law firms who took pretty solid severance packages, or spent their last month mostly job hunting (because they weren't having clients' matters taken away from them). For some sectors, I think it's going to take longer for people to hit the unemployment line, if they do at all.

Is it a pretty standard thing with law firms to let someone know when their official last day is, even if it's a month or so in advance? One of my friends was laid off in February, but his last day in his office was last Tuesday. He was able to use his office and slowly move everything out.

http://www.nytimes.com/2009/04/05/ny...ducated&st=cse

This article mentions that the rate of job loss for this recession is much higher among those who hold college degrees.

[KSigkid]

Originally Posted by Munchkin03

Is it a pretty standard thing with law firms to let someone know when their official last day is, even if it's a month or so in advance? One of my friends was laid off in February, but his last day in his office was last Tuesday. He was able to use his office and slowly move everything out.

I think that's the standard, but there are exceptions. I know of a couple of places that gave their attorneys a week or less notice. It also seems like the outgoing attorneys get more notice than outgoing staff (secretaries, paralegals, etc.).

I think part of it in the law firm environment is that they want, as much as possible, to give attorneys time to notify clients of their departure, and to bring other attorneys up to speed on files. Plus, there's a recognition of how difficult it can be to make a lateral move in the legal field, especially at certain points in your career.

I would expect job loss to be higher for those with a college degree, and especially those in the 1-3 years experience category. You're kind of stuck in the middle; you have too much experience for some positions (and are thus too expensive), but not enough for the next level of positions.

ETA: The attorneys on the site may have better insights than myself into it, but the above is my understanding, from talking to people I know at different levels (experienced partners down to new associates).

[AGDee]

The people who work in finance here get escorted to their desk, are given boxes while security stand nearby and are escorted to their cars by security... no notice at all. It depends on where you work and what you do here though. Others get a couple weeks notice. But in finance, I guess the temptation and opportunity to embezzle or something would be very high. Whenever my ex-husband (an accountant) has given two weeks notice himself, the company has had him leave immediately with two weeks paid time just because of the increased risk of being in the books, I guess.

[KSigkid]

Originally Posted by AGDee

The people who work in finance here get escorted to their desk, are given boxes while security stand nearby and are escorted to their cars by security... no notice at all. It depends on where you work and what you do here though. Others get a couple weeks notice. But in finance, I guess the temptation and opportunity to embezzle or something would be very high. Whenever my ex-husband (an accountant) has given two weeks notice himself, the company has had him leave immediately with two weeks paid time just because of the increased risk of being in the books, I guess.

That sounds like what I've heard from others in the finance field. I was only addressing Munchkin regarding those who work at law firms.

[Munchkin03]

Originally Posted by AGDee

The people who work in finance here get escorted to their desk, are given boxes while security stand nearby and are escorted to their cars by security... no notice at all. It depends on where you work and what you do here though. Others get a couple weeks notice. But in finance, I guess the temptation and opportunity to embezzle or something would be very high. Whenever my ex-husband (an accountant) has given two weeks notice himself, the company has had him leave immediately with two weeks paid time just because of the increased risk of being in the books, I guess.

I think that's pretty standard for financial services for layoffs or resignation, especially if you're going to a competing company.

My question, as Ksigkid noted, was more about law firms, where in some cases you're dealing with the same clients for years.

[AGDee]

Originally Posted by Munchkin03

I think that's pretty standard for financial services for layoffs or resignation, especially if you're going to a competing company.

My question, as Ksigkid noted, was more about law firms, where in some cases you're dealing with the same clients for years.

Yes, I understand. I find the differences interesting. In my own department, people have been given about a month notice and are able to continue on the job if they choose or they can leave. They have been able to use resources at work to job hunt and aren't made to take vacation time or anything for interviews. They work hard to try to find them other jobs within our system, for the most part. But, the people who have been laid off in my department didn't have any real power or access to much that they could sabotage. I don't know what would happen if it were me. I suspect I'd be escorted out because of my IT access. The amount of work when one of us leaves voluntarily is huge because so many passwords have to be changed. It's a royal pain!