1 post tagged “recession”

A little background before I get into today's dramatics.  I work for a local non-profit agency which helps the developmentally disabled.  The agency provides many services for these people, including adult day habs, medical resources, social work, group homes, and behavioral services (which is the department I work in).  My job has me working in two of the adult day habs as a behavioral manager.  Pretty much, I help the individuals who have severe behavioral issues, as well as teaching the staff how to deal with these issues when they arise.

Anyways.  Yesterday I found out that there were going to be some cuts in the behavior department due to a budgetary crisis within the agency.  I was shocked, but not surprised, especially after the cuts they have been making in other departments in the agency.  Sadly, some of my former co-workers are losing their jobs.  I feel bad for them, but I left that job a little over a month ago to take my most current position - so I'm lucky, to say the least.  However, that's not the worst of it.  Apparently 2/3's of the department are being cut, which is about twenty people.  Thankfully I recently got the position I'm in now so I don't think I'm going to lose my job.  Well, at least I hope.  My position is important, because I work with both the behavior department and the adult day hab department.  The only thing that may change about my job is that I'm going to continue servicing the two day hab sites, even though I was supposed to be cut down to one later this summer.  We'll see though, I suppose. 

I feel an overwhelming sense of guilt, since I just got this brand new job, which I love.  It's close to my apartment, the hours are great, and the pay is better.  For the first time in my life I was starting to feel optimistic about my future and my job.  However, now with these budget cuts I feel guilty for having this job and being happy for having it.  I feel guilty because I'm getting a brand new office in a few weeks, while my co-workers are being reassigned in the agency.  I also feel hesitant to enjoy my job because I don't know if they're done with the budget cuts or not.  Things feel too good to be true right now, and I don't want the rug to be pulled out from underneath me.  Perhaps this is a sign that my job is important, and that I should do the absolute best I can and never take any of it for granted.