Out on the Street: They’re Just Not That Into Me

Each week, “Joe the Trader” chronicles his experiences with life after Wall Street.

“It’s not you.”

I’ve been told that—let me see—at least 15 times in the past. There was Molly, Jen, Claire, and Aisha (no wait, that was me). You get the picture. I was never the reason the girls broke up with me. You would think that, having been dumped on a fairly consistent basis since 1984, I would have been steeled for today’s bad news from one of my most promising job prospects.

Screwed: 2,500 at Israeli Manufacturers Association

A daily review of the employment fallout around the country and the world.

The Israeli Manufacturers Association plans to layoff workers at 58 percent of Negev factories, totaling about 2,500 layoffs, by the end of the first quarter of 2009…Baker Hughes Inc.2 begins laying off 1,500 as part of a second round of cuts… Sunoco will give 750 the axe… Sidley Austin LLP cuts 229 positions, including 89 associates and staff attorneys, and 140 staffers… The loss of 200 positions is expected at Health Net Inc. as the company moves ahead with the outsourcing of IT positions… The city of Toledo, Ohio will layoff 75 police officers, effective May 1st…

Recession Briefing: 3.16

What you need to know today to survive and thrive in the recession.

Appearing on 60 Minutes last night, Treasury Secretary Ben Bernanke said he expected the economy’s recovery would begin next year “and it will pick up steam over time.” (New York Times/Dealbook)

Insurance company AIG, which has received over $170 billion in government bailouts so far — and is 80%-owned by U.S. taxpayers — is drawing anger from all sides for recently paying out nearly half a billion dollars in bonuses to its employees. (Wall Street Journal)

Recipe for Recession-Proof Tomato Farming

While the Recession has a lot of businesses trending down, organic farmers like Patrick Horan say their debt-driven business is riding a contrarian wave. Horan’s farm, Waldingfield, specializes in heirloom tomatoes, which he uses to produce a special heirloom sauce. His Connecticut farm has been in the family since the 18th century and is now one of the largest certified organic operations in Connecticut. Horan talks to RW about weathering the downturn and America’s shifting attitudes towards organic food.

RW: How has the Recession affected you?

PH: As a farmer, I’m used to dealing with constraints. A lot of the farming business is debt-driven. If you’re in the northeast where you have a smaller growing season, you have to plan carefully. So far, I haven’t seen a downturn in my business, but that is partly because of something called CSA (community supported agriculture). In this system, people buy a share and get a box of vegetables every week. It’s a shared risk, and the system offers protection to the grower.

Reels Getting Real in 2009

For now, at least, the recession hasn’t hurt your local Cineplex.

Compared to 2008, attendance is up 15 percent and the overall box office jumped 17 percent to nearly $2 billion.

But if the economy continues to worsen, will these numbers sustain themselves if movies are simply seen an excuse for checking out in air-conditioned bliss and don’t offer a reflection of our current woes?

Maybe “escape” is enough, but flicks steeped in economic realities can be a draw, too . Will any of this year’s movies confront or address the economic concerns of the day?

Yes, but not necessarily head-on. Here are a few of the upcoming releases that touch on the Recession—or at least the collective feelings of anxiety—through fantasy, comedy, singing, dancing and good old-fashioned demon fires from hell.

Screwed: 2,500 at PPG Industries

A daily review of the employment fallout around the country and the world.

PPG Industries Inc. plans to fire about 2,500 employees worldwide… Delta Air Lines will experience close to 2,100 voluntary layoffs… Continental AG will close a tire factory in France and in Germany, laying off 1,900 in the process… Methode Electronics Inc. will eliminate 850 jobs as it moves manufacturing to lower cost regions like Mexico, Malta and China… Hawaiian State House calls for the lay off of 374 state workers, ranging from the agriculture department to the department of health (where the most layoffs are planned)…

At the End of Your Robe: Finding Your Identity in Crisis

Stylist Julie Greene offers expert advice on looking dashing in a downturn.

Right now, many of us are dealing with big transitions. Some of us are unemployed for the first time, others are having to shift the focus of their business, and still others are concerned about whether they’ll be able to move ahead. In short, everyone’s questioning their identity.

As I’ve said before, your clothes can help shape your future. Whether it’s a full style overhaul or just some refining, there are ways to approach how you dress that will reflect a new attitude towards your career and life—and managing your image and your message might help you land the next opportunity. Last week you started getting to know your unique sense of style. Now we’ll more firmly define it. Consider which of these 10 style identities best fits you—or who you want to be.

Recession Briefing: 3.13

What you need to know today to survive and thrive in the recession.

The wealth of American families dropped by almost 18% in 2008, liquidating $11 trillion in net worth. This is the biggest loss since the Fed started keeping track after the Second World War. (Wall Street Journal)

President Barack Obama yesterday said that the economic crisis is actually “not as bad as we think.” He said Americans shouldn’t be swayed by bursts of either bad or good news, and that he was “highly optimistic.” (Associated Press)

Making Your Home into Your Office

Too many of us never expected our spare rooms or entire apartments would become our cubicles, too. With that in mind, the New York Times signed up five interior designers and five new homeworkers and paired them up to find new solutions for their space.

I was fortunate enough to be one of them.

When the process began, I had visions of four-digit expenditures (to be paid by the newspaper or the designers) on major renovations to turn this crowded and sometimes gloomy 12×17 space into a livable and workable environment.

It turns out, it only took $326 and a designer with some good ideas.

Here are a few small things you can do to turn any home area into a workspace that is comfortable and inspiring—and where you can pull off professional meetings.

Love in the Time of Layoff: Learning from the Ladies

Four women, four generations, and four love relationships, each one affected differently by the downturn:

Gloria Feldt, age 67, decided with husband Alex to sell their apartment and stick to lowest risk investments despite low yields in order to protect their retirement.

Elizabeth Hines, age 33 and partnered with Jessica, watches her 8-month-pregnant belly rise as the Dow falls.

Courtney Martin, age 29 and living with longtime beau Nik, is already accustomed to income fluctuation. She freelances and has never had a “real” job.

And then there’s me: 40, married to my laid-off Marco, learning at midlife to weather an economic storm.