Not all feel the recession in the same way

The New York Times has an interactive tool that shows how people of different races, genders, age and educational levels are affected differently by the recession.

For example, the average unemployment rate for people like me (Caucasian, Female, 25, college graduate) is 3.6%. (The Times uses a 12 month average ending in September of '09.)

You can check out the interactive tool  here and see how everyone is affected differently by the recession.

QPS Releases First Quarter Employment Forecasting Survey

QPS recently surveyed over 300 companies in Wisconsin and Illinois to get their predictions for the upcoming year.

Check out the survey results which were printed in the Business Journal!

Running on Empty: How long can you live off your savings?

According to a Monster.com poll, most Americans would only be able to live off of their savings for two months if they were to lose their jobs. Over 16,000 people participated in the poll.


The findings:

• 34% only have 1 weeks worth of savings

• 16% have between 2 and 4 weeks of savings

• 16% have 1 to 2 months of savings

• 20% have 6 months worth of savings

Do you have a "plan b?" Has this recession made you re-think your savings plan?

Is the grass always greener?

According to a new survey from Right Management, employers may soon be scrambling to keep their employees from leaving.

The survey found that 60% of U.S. workers are planning to persue new job opportunities as the economy improves in 2010. 21% said that they "maybe" would be open to new oportunities and they have already started networking.

6% said "its not likely that they would leave," and only 13% said that they has intentions to stay at their job. One thing is for sure- employee turnover is on the rise.

But, is the grass always greener?

What about you? Would you be open to new opportunities once the job market picks up? What are some factors that would cause you to leave your current job (more money, better benefits, etc.)?

Inventions During Recessions

Do you know what iPods, The Burger King Whopper and Kermit the Frog have in common?

All were invented either during or immediately after a recession. Apple introduced the ipod in October of 2001, Burger King invented the Whopper in 1957 and The Jim Henson company was started in 1958.

Recessions can be great times to re-focus and re-invent yourself as an employee or your company. Who knows what you may think of next!