Layoffs

sennin

Not that I'm getting layed-off....but our company is seeking ways to keep our employees during this down time in our economy. We''re feeling the impact of this downturn.

Instead of laying someone off.....how can we save money as a company? We've started by working in the dark. We each have a tasklight, and we've turned off all the overhead office lights. No more office lunches on Friday, the owners usually take us out to lunch on Friday. We've also dicussed wage decreases (for 8 weeks), equalling laying off one person.

I really like the group of people here, so does our ownership, we'd much rather keep this 'team' together. What other creative ways can we use to help accomplish this?

Thanks!

Fifthelement

What about four day work weeks. Half work Mon-Thurs, and half work Tues-Fri. Or shortened work days? Good luck.

Heineken Helen

sounds like good team work and that you're all willing to save a persons job... nice to hear.

Use emails rather than paper and save everything electronically? Declare it a paper free office or something :P

If the company provides tea and coffee or whatever... maybe have a kitty for this. Obviously turn the heating off if that's an issue... everybody wear an extra layer... what kinda industry is it?

sennin

It would be impossible to be a paper free office....we do engineering drawings!

But we have changed to a pdf format for drawing submittals. But we still print tons of drawings for our shop purposes.

www.teamcustomcraft.com <--- our website.

Thanks for the suggestions so far!

Heineken Helen

sennin wrote:

It would be impossible to be a paper free office....we do engineering drawings!

But we have changed to a pdf format for drawing submittals. But we still print tons of drawings for our shop purposes.

http://www.teamcustomcraft.com <--- our website.

Thanks for the suggestions so far!

Ahhh... I get ya well engineers are the worst for stealing pens and staplers... perhaps issue everybody with TWO pens and one stapler and tell them if they lose it they've to buy more... same with hard hats and vests, etc. Shop around for suppliers and see can you get stuff cheaper... if you can't, contact your current suppliers and say that you're gonna have to cancel the contract with them if they can't bring their prices down. Ehh... I'm not coming up with good ideas today :oops:

Heineken Helen

sennin wrote:

It would be impossible to be a paper free office....we do engineering drawings!

But we have changed to a pdf format for drawing submittals. But we still print tons of drawings for our shop purposes.

http://www.teamcustomcraft.com <--- our website.

Thanks for the suggestions so far!

and also, I used to work on building sites... so I know how many copies of each drawing are printed, how many get thrown on the floor or in the bin or how many are reissued as soon as they're printed :oops: so it's essential to cut down on this kinda thing. Supplies are the main thing to cut down on.

sennin

HAHA. I agree!

On one of the projects we're currently working on, the architect and contractor has requested 8 copies of each drawing. Who the hell knows why?! Each drawing set has 162 pages (11"x17"). 1296 pages!!! MAILED to them! Is this 1984?

I could have easily emailed all 8 people a pdf file.

What a waste!

Heineken Helen

sennin wrote:

HAHA. I agree!

On one of the projects we're currently working on, the architect and contractor has requested 8 copies of each drawing. Who the hell knows why?! Each drawing set has 162 pages (11"x17"). 1296 pages!!! MAILED to them! Is this 1984?

I could have easily emailed all 8 people a pdf file.

What a waste!

can't you contact them and say you'll now only send them 4 copies of each (still too fucking much ) and email it to them also. We used to request 6 copies of each... even though there were only 4 people needing them :? :roll: Obviously reuse things like folders, use used paper to write notes on the back of rather than opening a new ream of paper. Remind people to take care of stuff they're issued with... cos things like office supplies are pretty fucking expensive and it all adds up so just to be more careful.

PJGARDEN

Is it possible to have one day of the week that everyone work at home to cut back on electricity?

sennin

PJGARDEN wrote:

Is it possible to have one day of the week that everyone work at home to cut back on electricity?

Another good idea.....but as you may know, it's pretty important for people to be at work. To answer phone calls, daily we sit over sets of drawings and plan what we're going to do...most of the things we do we have to be in the same spot.

still...something to bring up! thanks!

mfc2006

sennin wrote:

PJGARDEN wrote:

Is it possible to have one day of the week that everyone work at home to cut back on electricity?

Another good idea.....but as you may know, it's pretty important for people to be at work. To answer phone calls, daily we sit over sets of drawings and plan what we're going to do...most of the things we do we have to be in the same spot.

still...something to bring up! thanks!

could the meetings & phone calls be handled with call forwarding & conference calling? you can even have a conference w/ video. just a thought..

Kel Varnsen

PJGARDEN wrote:

Is it possible to have one day of the week that everyone work at home to cut back on electricity?

Actually my company looked into that and unless you own the building you work in you probably won't save any money. With out office space the lease fees include electricity so whether the office is occupied or not you are still paying the same amount in rent.

Cosmo

Personally... I am willing to cut my hours in order to save a team mate. I mean, if everyone cut their hours to save a fellow employee... who would also have shorter works shifts... then, at least he or she is not out completely.
...
My problem is... not everyone feels the same way I do.

arq

At work he have a 10% less in our paycheck, and if things don't get better soon some of us will work only four days a week...

Wobbie

sennin wrote:

I really like the group of people here, so does our ownership, we'd much rather keep this 'team' together. What other creative ways can we use to help accomplish this?

Posting on company time is a massive waste of productivity.

South of Seattle

Get rid of cups, utensils, water coolers.

Bring in: Fork, Spoon, Cup, Bowl, Plate, Nalgene Water Bottle.