Getting a "Pink Slip" Sometimes A Good Thing

It is funny how one thought can snowball into a whole interesting story. Several times this week, for no apparent reason, the subject of what our company does has come up in conversations. I had to look into purchasing a new phone for my husband. As no surprise he wanted the same type (flip phone) he will only venture so far into the technology world and will not switch to ("dumb") smart phone.  So the litany of phone calls and e-mails with the business customer manager began. In one conversation with her it came up what our company was and what we do. She thought it was interesting and didn't realize a niche in the "exercise machine transport business" could be so interesting. I can't even tell you how many cellular representatives we have had in the past 17 years. The company we have used since day one recently announced even more layoffs and when I heard that my first thought was "I bet we get another rep". This one has been the nicest and most helpful and lives on the east coast. For both our businesses I hope she stays for a while. In today's corporate world short stays apparently are the new normal.

I recently posted an article on one of the social media pages I am administrator on"You Should Plan on Switching Jobs Every Three Years for the Rest of Your Life". The title alone peeked my interest. In summary it basically read that with expectations to learn, develop and advance in careers most millennial feel clinging like past generations to the same employers is antiquated. Well, everyone has his or her own opinion and of course several people shared opinions on the subject. Most of us of a certain age or "the antiques" pretty much said the same thing. How can you learn and leave in 3 years?  One of the comments made on the article pretty much was right on point with my previous job history. If working for a large corporation or agency, don't stay in the same position, move around as much as possible to other branches or agencies your job hopping but basically within.

I worked for State government, but transferred to four different agencies in the course of my 17 year service. Employment, Transportation, Lands, Museums. I had many other opportunities at various times to promote but usually it came down to commute and was it good for my family situation.  The constant dealing with bureaucracy, personalities, paperwork, time schedules doesn't get any easier if you are working in corporate America, self-employed, or are an entrepreneur.  More seems to be expected in every given situation today.

Although the dreaded "pink slip" is a doom and gloom in the employment world, it has become a happy, excited reward to our granddaughter. There has been many school situations that can be sometimes puzzling for a parent these days. Due to teacher's creativity in reward systems and the "praise everything" syndrome, To be "pink slipped" at school is a truly great thing.  The color coding rainbow system used on a daily basis to reward bad and good work behavior ultimately can be a reward with a pink slip at the end of the day for reaching the ultimate in a day. From what I have heard from other conversations with people if the kids don't get a "pink slip" it also can be the ultimate doom in their world but not they way we think.

Are you as confused as I am about keeping up on changing times?