During my weekend, my mind is so far away from work that I didn't even think about finding out about the budget cuts this morning. But I opened my email this morning and there they were. Not draconian. First of all, there will be no changes to the retirement plan for the rest of FY14, but there will be changes next year. They will do a study this year and implement reforms. Second, there will be no raises for anyone through FY14. Third, we will be encouraged to move to HMO plans. (I'll have to find out if they offer an HMO plan for MY area, not the local area). However, since I will start Medicare next August, this is not a huge concern to me. Fourth, a hiring freeze will be in effect for one year. The potential early retirement plan was tabled. There will be three task forces charged to generate ideas for increasing student enrollment and retention, increasing the international student population, and generating innovations in academic and administrative programs. In addition there will be a Financial Working Group charged with cutting expenses by an additional one-half million this year, and to review compensation, tuition remission, and retirement benefit with an eye toward more changes in FY15.
So, it sounds like my job is safe, my retirement won't be affected till my final year on the job, I'll have to make do with an annoying HMO for a few months, and I wasn't expecting a raise anyway.
My weekend spending:
Fast food - $5
Groceries - $30
Garage Sale - $.50
Movie - $8
Wal-Mart - $21
Laundry - $3
The fast food was a bag of chips and a drink in the station.
Groceries included olive oil, tuna, milk, eggs, wine, carrots, muffins, creamer, cheddar cheese, teriyaki sauce, oatmeal cookies, and paper towels.
At the garage sale I bought a fancy gift box and and a bag of artificial cranberries.
The movie was Captain Phillips. (Fantastic!)
At Wal-Mart I bought a large plastic bin, a turntable for my spices, and a bag of socks for my granddaughter (coordinating with the two outfits I bought her for her birthday).
The Cuts -- and My Weekend Spending
October 28th, 2013 at 01:39 pm
October 28th, 2013 at 08:27 pm 1382992079
October 29th, 2013 at 03:02 am 1383015758
October 29th, 2013 at 01:10 pm 1383052229
After the first time, though, I had told myself that I would NEVER lay off anyone, ever again. The next time I'm asked to lay off someone, I'm putting forward my name and telling them, "Be your own hatchet man." Laying off worthwhile, productive people is the absolute worst thing I've ever had to do in my entire life, and I'll never do it again.