Deep thoughts....

I work for a Japanese manufacturing company. With the economy the way it is, manufacturing is going to take a big hit. Actually, the hit has already happened.

Over a week ago, they sent out an email saying that the economy has finally hit our company and that November we didn't meet our numbers and December is not looking good either, etc. In that same email they detailed ways we can help the company save money, like turning off lights in conference rooms and offices that are not in use (well, duh), and turning the temperature down in the office, and yada, yada, yada.

They also said that letting temps go was a real possibility. Then at the end of last Friday, they let like 16 temps go. I'm sure more is on the horizon. Then on Monday we got another email explaining that they were not going to take the garbage out at our desks every day (it will save like $20K a year by not doing that), and to only print things we absolutely have to, and to print in black and white because color copies are 3 times as expensive, oh, and that they're going to take away our styrofoam plates and plasticware, and the list goes on....

So, needless to say, I'm extremely worried about my job. I know I don't have any control over the outcome, but that doesn't stop me from being worried. :lol: The boss of my dept brought us into a conference room last week and he said that our dept should be fine "for the long haul" since we've been running pretty lean for years now. Well, I know that boss's will sell you the Statue of Liberty if they could, during times like this, and frankly, my spidey senses haven't stopped tingling.

I don't know if they're now just being extremely overzealous with this conserving energy and resources stuff, or if we're really in that much trouble already, as a company. I'm leaning towards the latter.

Now, being Little Miss Conservation that I am, I am constantly turning lights off in rooms and trying to do my part. I guess the point of this thread is this: why is it only during times of extreme economic stress that people suddenly realize all of the money they could be saving by just turning lights off in rooms that aren't in use and other things? I mean, our production floor now turns the lights off on the floor when they go on their collective breaks and lunches. Why weren't they doing this all along?

My coworker, who started working there almost 2 years ago, submitted a bunch of ideas when he first started about how the company could save money by using motion sensor lights in conference rooms and the cafeteria, and using different types of lights, and using programmable thermostats. He estimated that the savings would be in the hundreds of thousands of dollars. Did they implement any of those ideas?? Just one: the programmable thermostats.

So, why can't people and companies do all they can to save money all the time and not just during extreme financial stress? That just bugs me to no end, I guess. LOL.

 

Bookworm, excellent questions. When you find out the answers, I'd love to know too! Why is it that environmental responsibility only occurs when it becomes financially attractive and not when one realizes that this is the only planet we have - let's keep it relatively nice?

 

crazy times, every day I see that a whole heap of us companies going bankrupt or laying off thousands of workers. I have a friend who works at a gm plant, it's going to be shut down for 6 weeks what do shrugs. Even where my dad works as a welder there closing for 2 weeks no pay first time this has happened.

 

Growing up in the Caribbean my life was filled with adages and proverbs. One that keeps me balance is " You laugh today, cry tomorrow". Most people only check the life rafts in a boat when it starts to sink.

 

I know. My sister's company is doing the same thing this holiday season: 2 weeks mandatory off of work.

A friend of mine works at a law firm downtown - they aren't getting raises or bonuses this year. It's hitting everywhere.

 

I will share if I ever find the answers

And yeah, like when gas prices are high, sales of SUVs go down. When gas prices go down again, sales of SUVs go back up. :roll:

 

So true.

 

HappyLife, where abouts in the Caribbean did you grow up? I am moving to the Netherlands Antilles in April 2009 for a couple of years....

 

Necessity is always the mother of invention, you could say the mother of conservation.

Just like they say experience is the best teacher when it isn't your experience, but very few people ever listen to that teacher.

 

Good saying. I learned to listen to that teacher a long time ago.

 

I try, but if I really admit it, I don't nearly often enough.

 

But at least you don't not do it. (Love my double negative? :lol

Some people I know never learn. And I mean, never. It's very frustrating to have to hear their troubles all the time. And it's always the same problems. :roll:

 

Love the double negative!!

I get real tired of such people too. My youngest sister is one of those. I love her, but I have learned to keep my distance, because she isn't going to listen to reason EVER!! She had something happen just a couple of weeks ago, that was pretty disastrous, about which I had warned her, and it was all I could do to not say "I told you so".

 

Man, I can totally empathize with you there. I have a friend who continues to pick the exact same type of girl, and proceeds to get his heartbroken over and over. It's all I can do not to wring his neck and tell him to wake up!

Oh well. All we can hope for is that they eventually learn from their mistakes.

I hope your sister is okay!

 

She's OK for now, but I'll be raising her daughter now, since the state won't let her get her back. I tried to get her to let me raise her at least 3 years ago, now the kid has been through more than anyone should have to go through and the State of UT had to step in and give her to me.

 

Ah man Tink - I hate these stories! so sad the kids have to go through so much before action is taken. Good thing you are there for her!

 

She's a great kid in spite of mom! I hope it's not to late to really help her out though, cuz she's already 17.

 

Wow. Well, good thing you're there for her, when she needs you the most! I hope it all works out best for everyone involved.

All you can do is let her know you're there for her when she wants to talk. You're a great aunt!

 

The US Virgin Islands

 

Thanks I appreaciate the good wishes.