Hard Times

Karen Harter

Mr. Remmo

English 025

February 11, 2010

In the hard economic times, people all over the United States are loosing their jobs. Here in Elkhart it is one of the worst of all around, companies closing their doors ,going out of business, people loosing jobs , families losing their homes, cars, and other personal items due to the loss of not having a job and not being able to pay for them. With unemployment rate really high and out of control jobs around Elkhart are very limited.

Wasn’t until a year ago, when three companies decided merge and blend into one , which was Leer, Century and Raider. This had started the laying off process for these companies when this was decided to go a head with the merge. Keep in mind there had been a lot of people that had been at these companies for years and to hear that some of them could loose there jobs was horrible. A lot of people didn’t know what to think about all of this. All was saying to them selves “Hope its not me “.

When the first lay off had taken place and the papers were handed out people were called into a room and letting them know that their jobs would be eliminated , most of these people had been at these companies for more then five plus years ,now people are saying ,”Now what are we going to do “, with feelings hurt and emotions up, people were able to gather their things and leave. As the second layoff came around Karen was one of the ten employees to get it this time . She was at Century for three years and was never late and had only missed four days of work while there, and not to mention she would help out in the office when need at the receptionist’s desk to answer phone, file or what ever was needed and was the Q.C inspector. She had been told by her supervisor that she was going to the new building after the merger, but then was laid off.

Now being laid off, Karen started the unemployment benefits and had decided to back to school to pursue a nursing...