Here’s an interesting column from yesterday’s Wall Street Journal about how lots of companies hire as they fire – including Microsoft, AT&T, and Time Warner.
WSJ reporter Cari Tuna explains that while layoffs mount, many of the same employers also are hiring – in other business units, in other places, or for other skills.
She writes: “The simultaneous hiring and firing highlights the dynamism of the economy and shows how employers are trying to adapt to changing needs. It also offers hints on how the recession is changing the work force, with some employers placing more emphasis on worker skills.”
If you’re interested in the long-term impact of layoffs – keep an eye out for our forthcoming book by Geoff Colvin, The Upside of the Downturn (June 2009).
