So How many prepress technicians got laid off because of Covid-19

[photoshopdude]

Got laid off in April, over 55, not looking good at this point. Many companies used this crisis as an excuse to "go lean" or "restructure". I realize a lot of work has dried up but the government bailouts were supposed to prevent layoffs. Some companies took the bailout and laid off workers anyway.

 

[DYP]

Because a lot of companies see this as another long line of political attacks against the United States and are going to have a wait and see attitude until the next election which has a high chance of not being an honest election. If the election is stolen by the elite establishment tyrants and their useful idiots these jobs will never come back. It will be welcome to Venezuela 2.

 

[PricelineNegotiator]

It will be welcome to Venezuela 2.

It's going that way much faster than any of us plan for or realize. The US in my mind is basically an empty shell of what it once was.

 

[truehue]

No Prepress layoffs here in Texas. We did receive the Payroll Protection Plan, or whatever it was called, so we couldn't let anyone go. We implemented an alternating schedule for Prepress and other departments throughout the company to keep people from standing around on top of each other. Thankfully, business has picked up quite a bit, and we have been back to mostly normal operations for the last month or so.

 

[Justin50]

In start COVID 19 effect our digital printing of all product but also mailer packaging got some boost in sales.

 

[Slammer]

My contract is running out in August and it won´t be changed to a permanent one, so amma out of a job.
(here in Germany a company can only issue two temp contracts, after which they have to either let you go or commute to a permanent contract)
So things suck bigtime at the moment.

 

[PDL]

One option especially for people with lots of industry experience looking for new employment is to check with your prepress solution vendors. Your knowledge of the industry can be quite valuable there. Here's the link to the Esko Jobs page ---> Jobs at Esko.
Best of luck going forward.

 

[jwheeler]

One option especially for people with lots of industry experience looking for new employment is to check with your prepress solution vendors. Your knowledge of the industry can be quite valuable there. Here's the link to the Esko Jobs page ---> Jobs at Esko.
Best of luck going forward.

I definitely agree with this...additionally, check out the big copier/digital press companies (Xerox, Canon, Konica Minolta, Ricoh, etc)...they all sell workflow software that you most likely have experience using. The position is usually called something like Production Solutions Consultant, Solutions Specialist, etc. These guys will help sales reps talk the 'industry lingo' during sales appointments, and/or help install and train the customers who purchase it.

 

[dying breed]

Work for a small commercial printer in (25 employees) 7 people furloughed, and the CSR/Estimators are taking 1 day off a week with no pay (20% cut). The owner told me he is planning on getting back to normal in August as long as work picks up- BUT- there are a few people that are furloughed that won't be coming back) He did get the government loan, which ran out June 1 and he does not have to pay it back as long as 75% of furloughed workers are recalled I believe.

 

[kansasquaker]

(here in Germany a company can only issue two temp contracts, after which they have to either let you go or commute to a permanent contract)

This is a sad example of how socialist policies designed to protect the worker actually do the exact opposite in practice. The government is essentially forcing an employer to fire an employee for fear of future obligations to that person. Sorry this has happened to you.

 

[rcreveli]

This is a sad example of how socialist policies designed to protect the worker actually do the exact opposite in practice. The government is essentially forcing an employer to fire an employee for fear of future obligations to that person. Sorry this has happened to you.

This happens in the capitalist paradise that's the US, it's just the temp agency or hiring company that sets the rules. At my last job the agency would pull a temp after 12 months.
When I dealt with J&J they used Kelly Scientific & I think the contracts were a max of 24 months, after that they would have to take job directly with J&J if offered or change positions. "Eternal temps" are a way for companies to offer great benefits but never have to pay them out.

 

[ibler]

I'm sorry for this unfortunate event. But I think a good alternative is to offer your expertise online. Create a lecture series for pay or make a youtube channel. I've been going around these mediums and rarely do I come across technical resources for our industry. Keep safe!

 

[prepressdork]

Although several employees took voluntary (and temporary) furlough, we had no layoffs.

pd

 

[photoshopdude]

My contract is running out in August and it won´t be changed to a permanent one, so amma out of a job.
(here in Germany a company can only issue two temp contracts, after which they have to either let you go or commute to a permanent contract)
So things suck bigtime at the moment.

At least you got a warning which gives you some time to plan. Here in US most states are "employment at will", which means you can get fired without warning for any reason at any given moment, which is what happens all the time (happened to me). This is a horrible way to treat loyal employees who are being kicked to the curb through no fault of their own, but employees are expected to give a two week notice when leaving a company.

 

[photoshopdude]

No Prepress layoffs here in Texas. We did receive the Payroll Protection Plan, or whatever it was called, so we couldn't let anyone go. We implemented an alternating schedule for Prepress and other departments throughout the company to keep people from standing around on top of each other. Thankfully, business has picked up quite a bit, and we have been back to mostly normal operations for the last month or so.

Sounds like you work for a company that cares about its employees.

 

[kansasquaker]

"which means you can get fired without warning for any reason at any given moment"

That is a horrible way to treat employees, and most employers don't act that way. But employment at will allows employers to hire people without fear of a long term performance on the employee's part. We all know how many awful teachers are in our public school system, protected by tenure which is similar to how most employees in Europe are treated. I'd be much more reluctant to hire a new prepress person if I knew I could NEVER fire them. That would make it much harder for you to find a new job.

I might also add, employees have reciprocal rights. You can quit on the spot and there's nothing your employer can do about it (that happens a heck of a lot more often than employers firing employees). Seems fair to me.

 

[photoshopdude]

That is a horrible way to treat employees, and most employers don't act that way. But employment at will allows employers to hire people without fear of a long term performance on the employee's part. We all know how many awful teachers are in our public school system, protected by tenure which is similar to how most employees in Europe are treated. I'd be much more reluctant to hire a new prepress person if I knew I could NEVER fire them. That would make it much harder for you to find a new job.

I might also add, employees have reciprocal rights. You can quit on the spot and there's nothing your employer can do about it (that happens a heck of a lot more often than employers firing employees). Seems fair to me.

The problem with getting fired in this country is not only do you lose income, you also lose health insurance. If this country could untether health insurance to employers things could be better. I wouldn't say most companies don't fire employees on the spot, it happens more times than you may think. Sure you can get fired for cause and rightly so if it's a legitimate reason, but no reason is needed so employers are free to say whatever they want or nothing at all.

 

[tngcas]

If this country could untether health insurance to employers things could be better.

Tying healthcare to your job is my pet peeve. It makes so little sense because as soon as you really need healthcare for anything major you're not gonna be working and then you lose the means to pay for the healthcare you need to get back to work. It's such a dumb system.

 

[Zerge]

Middle packaging business in province.
Hmm no one got laid off and we hired two more specialists since March, 28 — the beginning of quarantine in Russia.
..
There is an anecdote on the topic of conversation:
— Ivan, has this virus infected you yet?
— No, Dima, so far only f#cked up.

 

[RUsure]

Because a lot of companies see this as another long line of political attacks against the United States and are going to have a wait and see attitude until the next election which has a high chance of not being an honest election. If the election is stolen by the elite establishment tyrants and their useful idiots these jobs will never come back. It will be welcome to Venezuela 2.

A high chance of not being an honest election?
How so?