|
While the boss is away...
Lisa Wichmann
While reading the Globe and Mail recently, a funny headline caught my eye: “Boss’s holiday means job is safe…for now.” Apparently, while the boss kicks back at the cottage, there’s not a whole lot of firing going on.
But come September, we reach the end of the safe zone. “On average, the final four months of the year historically have seen the heaviest job cutting,” said John Challenger, chief executive of consulting firm, Challenger Gray & Christmas Inc.
Not that the statistics are cause for concern. Unemployment levels haven’t been this low in more than 30 years, and companies throughout North America are heeding the warnings about the future effects of baby boomers retiring.
But the article does give you a little jolt. After all, these days, we’re expected to have an average of five different careers and company loyalty is a nostalgic whimsy of the past. It’s enough to make those of us who’ve been with the same company for nearly a decade a little nervous. Perhaps we’ve become a little too dependent on one employer?
The idea is particularly relevant in this issue of the magazine, considering it’s the one where we present the results of the 2006 Purchasing b2b/ PMAC Salary Survey and Profile.
The good news is pay is going up. But that doesn’t mean there aren’t greener pastures. For instance, purchasers in Alberta seem to be raking it in, compared to their counterparts in the east. And perhaps female purchasers, disgruntled with the 17 per cent disparity in wages paid to their male colleagues, might decide it’s time to switch to a firm with better pay equity.
But making the move is anything but easy. Many of us are vested in company pension plans and accrue vacation time based on years of service. Plus, according to Randall Craig—a Toronto-based management consultant and author of a book on the topic called Leaving the Mother Ship—many of us need to enhance our career planning skills.
“Some people feel underutilized or underappreciated, and wonder when it is best to move on. Others might be successful, but can’t see where their next promotion might be. The key to career planning is to do it on your own terms—and with your own timing.”
Craig puts forth a job quality checklist to determine your level of satisfaction: “Are you having fun? Are you being intellectually challenged? Do you like your colleagues? Are you reaching your career goals? Are you achieving life balance?” And on the topic of money: “Is your compensation somewhat close to your worth?” According to Craig, you should imagine you moved to a similar company and were given similar responsibilities. Ask yourself what you would get paid. Then, consider what your replacement would be paid at your old company. The amount in both cases should be within 10 to 15 per cent of your current pay.
So go ahead, make the calculations. Check out the survey results on page 16. Take advantage of summer slow-down (if it exists anymore; it doesn’t here!) to update your resume and browse the Internet for career opportunities. Then, when the boss comes back from the cottage, you’ll be ready!
—Lisa Wichmann
Editor
Contact the editor at lisa.wichmann@pb2b.rogers.com
|
