What Does It Mean When A Large Company Starts A Hiring Freeze?
By sksongwriter
@sksongwriter (200)
United States
October 8, 2008 10:58pm CST
I just got word today that the company I work for is putting a six month hiring freeze on any new employees. I don't know all the details yet, but I know enough to know that this is not necessarily a good sign. When I say I work for a large company, I must emphasize that it is an international company....and that is comforting, but it still makes me wonder what's happening. Have any of you out there ever been part of a large company that institutes a long term hiring freeze? What did that mean for your company??
2 responses
@zeroflashx2 (2491)
• Philippines
9 Oct 08
Yeah, I once worked for a company who did not hire new employees for weeks. Well, it is good for the company though and they have studies the current work force. The turnaround for employees wasn't that high and everyone is gaining tenure. The workforce is enough to meet SLAs with clients and hiring new people would cost more especially for training. They went back to hiring when the clients decided to put a new line of business in our office and the turnaround of employees increased. 
@sksongwriter (200)
• United States
9 Oct 08
I appreciate the positive stance you take on this. It is certainly more hopeful than some of the alternatives that have been running through my mind. I hope the scenario plays out more like you are suggesting.
@zeroflashx2 (2491)
• Philippines
9 Oct 08
I wish you all the best my friend. But of course, it wouldn't hurt as well if you know the reason why there is such a freeze in the company. It could at least keep you at ease. Take care.
@SomeCowgirl (32191)
• United States
9 Oct 08
One of my cousins just explained what a hiring freeze was to my fiance and I. Basically, atleast in the terms of the Wal Mart Corporation, that means that they are no longer hiring people, atleast not for awhile. Also, the store that my cousin works at will be only keeping those they just hired for 90 days and at evaluation firing them so that they get no benefits. It's really a nasty thing.
