Good news would be good any time now.
Today, it was announced that State government was going to cut 20% across the board from current operations. As a state agency employee, this was unsettling to say the least.
I’ve never felt like I was in danger of losing my job. Never. I’ve always tried to be a hard worker, and put my best effort forth, even if I didn’t love what I was doing.
Every job I’ve ever left has been of my own doing (except for being laid off once from a college summer job, which I was ok with). Every move has been something I sought out, and some offers have been turned down because they weren’t quite the right fit for me and my family.
So this news hit pretty hard. While I don’t make a ton in terms of take home pay, it’s enough to pay my family’s bills, and my benefits, retirement, and work arrangements are really, really good.
I immediately started doing math, thinking of who was more tenured than I am, but I have no idea if that will matter, or if anything will come to pass in terms of personnel changes; maybe 20% in cuts can be obtained in other ways. We do have a very strong public works union, so I’m sure they will advocate for workers as much as possible.
We’ve even talked about this before in our house. In the past couple of weeks, my wife and I have had some hypothetical discussions of various topics, employment being one. Really, I am willing to work and do whatever is needed to provide for my family. Since agriculture isn’t going away, there should be ag jobs someplace or another. Even if it’s driving truck (which honestly isn’t bad for social distancing purposes), I’m ready.
I hope it doesn’t come to that. This week will be telling.
Although it’s evening and I feel better now, this was one of the worst days for my outlook on this thing so far.
We have a graphic that I saved on my phone: a list of “things I can control” and “things I can’t control” which I look at almost daily. State budget needs are definitely in the “can’t control” column, so I need to be ok with whatever happens.
And I think I am. But it’s not easy right now.
Needless to say, it’s not easy for anyone in health care; they’re the ones who are really fighting, sometimes literally for their lives. In that regard, my problems are minor.
Someday everyone will be ok again.
CanalSide 