The effects of Japan are hitting here.
By Thoroughrob
@Thoroughrob (11742)
United States
April 20, 2011 6:37am CST
My husband works for a factory that supplies Honda and does some parts for others. They told them yesterday that they are having a layoff and were asking for volunteers. The only thing is that what they offered did nothing but hurt you.
If you take the layoff, your seniority stops, you will be paid for vacation and any hours you have built up, you will not get a vacation added again for a year. No guarantee that you get called back, and if you do, you will go anywhere in the shop they want to put you and the shift they want you on. You will pay $250 a month in insurance if you want insurance, starting May 1. When you start back they will not start paying your insurance until you have been there for at least 30 days.
I am hoping that he does not get it, as they had 6 volunteers and are eliminating about 50% of his shop. It is really getting scary.
I just don't know how people are going to make it with the gas prices and everything else going up. Our area has about 10 plants that it is affecting, most of them have already laid off and have cut hours.
Are you seeing any effects? I do wish all of Japan the best, and feel for them all. It was a horrible tragedy.
3 people like this
8 responses
@dragon54u (31634)
• United States
20 Apr 11
We have a Honda plant near here and they are slowing down, too. They haven't laid off anyone yet but they've cut hours in half and are really trying to keep their workers busy.
My dad and stepmom live on a road used by a lot of Honda workers to go to and from the plant and they say it's awfully quiet lately. They needed a new TV and bought one right after the quake, as Dad said things like that will go up in price and he was right.
But if anyone can recover quickly, it's Japan. Did you see that stretch of road that was devastated and looked unfixable? In 4 days they had it brand new and functioning, something that would take us months here in the U.S. If anyone can make a comeback quickly, it's Japan. They have the will and their people are united in determination and concern for each other.
@Thoroughrob (11742)
• United States
20 Apr 11
You are not too far from me. Yesterday Honda laid off 150 workers in Marysville. My husbands plant, supplies very little for them, most of their products go to Canada. I do hope they get things going soon. I had not seen the road, but have heard them talk about how they do things quickly and with teamwork.
1 person likes this
@dragon54u (31634)
• United States
20 Apr 11
I found some pictures before and after of that road for you and it took a little longer than I thought but still phenomenal!
http://www.autoblog.com/2011/03/24/japanese-repair-quake-ravaged-road-in-just-six-days/
I have a SIL in Marysville and things are bad there, that's the plant I was talking about. And besides that, a lot of doctors have left including the only one who did cataracts for Medicare, because of the new insurance laws. Marysville went from a sleepy little place in the 60's and before to booming in the 90's and I hope this isn't the end for it.
@GardenGerty (160996)
• United States
20 Apr 11
Would he be able to draw unemployment after his vacation and pto time is gone? How long do they anticipate it going on. The best people to take the layoff would be the ones who just took a vacation and do not have any time built up to lose. I hope things turn out okay for your husband.
@Thoroughrob (11742)
• United States
20 Apr 11
Yes, which would be good. They are hoping for about 6 weeks, but it is all according to how long it takes Japan to get up and running.
@ANTIQUELADY (36440)
• United States
20 Apr 11
I hope your husband can keep his job. I know it is scary to think about him losing it. Things are really going to get bad here because the Good year plant is going to close. They employ alot of people & there is nothing else here compared to them for people to do.
@Thoroughrob (11742)
• United States
20 Apr 11
It is really sad. There are starting to be alot of ghost towns.
@Iriene88 (5343)
• Malaysia
3 May 11
That is really disappointing to hear. Life is getting tougher.
Due to a seamless global economy, it is really a chain effect
when something happens elsewhere, the effect can be felt by everyone
living in this world somehow or rather economically, financially..
this can be felt directly in the stock market here too. All the
best and be strong and pray... hope for the best.
@CatsandDogs (13963)
• United States
21 Apr 11
That's awful Thoroughrob! My gosh! What in the world are you guys going to do if he is laid off? I pray he doesn't but what if he does? What is this world coming to? I think each country should become self sufficient so we can survive in the event of something like this happens but I don't forsee that happening anytime soon. Keep thinking positive sweetie, hopefully he won't get laid off.
@TanSerena (59)
•
21 Apr 11
Japan is very influential.
A lot of businesses all over the world is suffering from the situation in Japan.
In Thailand, most of the automobile companies are slowing down.
It is so bad!
Anyway, I wish you best of luck!
