[_____V_____]

...think again.

And again. Give it a long and hard thought.

The recession has been brutal. The global economic crisis has taken a heavy toll on jobs. The American economy is one of the worst hit with job-losses rising to a 26-year high. The Indian economy is not far behind either. Practically every sector is cutting off jobs by at least 30-35% - airlines, mining, management, engineering, you name it.

The figures are alarming - about 333,000 employees lost their jobs in November, in the US alone. This year about 1,057,645 job-cuts have already been announced in the US. In India, major companies, airlines and even government departments have announced a huge cut of at least 40% of working staffs.

People have braced themselves to receive the "letter", as they call it.

Senior staff - a letter for Compulsory Retirement Scheme. Retire gracefully today with pension, PFs and financial support, or get kicked out without any benefits.

Junior staff - a letter for : A) demotion to a lower post with compulsory computer and data-entry training, B) look for opportunities elsewhere, and C) Termination with 1 month notice, or without any reason whatsoever. (especially for people on temporary/probation basis...probably the most frightening of the lot)

Plus, if they cant cut down on the jobs, they are cutting down on the "costs" - snacks, travel, telephone bills, power, stationery bills and even tissue rolls in rest rooms.

Most IT and large-producing firms are already reviewing their expenditure plans. Lower salaries and stricter yearly appraisals are coming to the fore.

Yes, think again.

The lowly bookstore owner at the corner shop makes far more money all through the year than a corporate bigwig nowadays, and that too with a much quieter and hassle-less daily schedule.

Maybe that is the way to go...today, and in the coming future.