Your current situation
 

How many of you have either lost your jobs or took a paycut?
i have had to take 50% (airlines) and seriously considering just packing it in this summer. I have a feeling a lot of companies will likely keep this cut in place even after lockdown. maybe not all 50% but i seriously have doubts they will give us our full salary back

I can still have a nice life with my family with a paycut but wont save anything so it reaches the point where you wonder if its worth being away from home?
i understand things may be tough back in the UK as well but least schooling is covered and huge rent doesnt need to be paid

What are other people in similar position to me thinking of doing? am i being to pessimistic?

Re: Your current situation
 

The industry I'm in (oil) is doing way worse in the UK than here, so virtually no chance of a job there.

Re: Your current situation
 

Nothing yet but something is coming this week.

A combination of redundancies discussed, pay cuts across the board to limit redundancies, some unpaid leave etc. I know the European parts of the business are furloughing like crazy because it's an amazing scheme to protect people and jobs without having the cost. I've been reminding my UK based boss we have none of that here.

I have said a pay cut is fine with me, especially if temporary and protecting jobs. A pay cut and reduced hours would make sense for a lot of people who just aren't busy - but then the argument is why not just make them go on unpaid leave.

Re: Your current situation
 

Sorry to hear this. I agree with your sentiments, there must come a time when it's just not worth it - the worst outcome has to be burning savings to stay, so many people do that and then are forced out at the end, but with nothing.

GDP for the UAE/KSA was expected to grow at around 2% this year, the latest revisions are now showing a contraction of around 5%. Both numbers are wrong but the trends will be right. I imagine the UK to be broadly similar but without the wild swings and escalating costs.

Good luck with the future.

Re: Your current situation
 

I think this year is about surviving. Survive with a company at reduced rates or little impact and you're winning big style.

Re: Your current situation
 

Yup. I think so - hunker down and batten the hatches. I wanted to leave this year but looks like I'm in for another.

Re: Your current situation
 

It's certainly made me think a little more about an exit plan sooner rather than later. Moving back home just has such little appeal we've avoided thinking about it at all to be honest.

Re: Your current situation
 

Oh, wasn't clear... leave the job, not the region. I'm probably (hopefully) here for a while yet.

Re: Your current situation
 

Ah yes, OK. Same on wanting to stay for a while yet.

Re: Your current situation
 

Of course, though.. that return ticket hidden away in top-drawer has never been more important.

Re: Your current situation
 

My return I moved to late April can't be changed any more. Guess I might lose it but haven't called them to check

Re: Your current situation
 

We've just moved back to UK, still a few ties in UAE to close down.

One of the big changes I see is all business looking at how they are getting through this situation, and more importantly those businesses that do survive will be looking at how they operated and where they can continue to save costs.

I used to do a lot of (air) travel with work, I expect that this will be a thing of the past for a lot of companies - all travel will be scrutinized (expect the argument 'if we managed this without travel during the COVID-19 crisis, why can't we do it now?).

I expect working from home will become more of a standard practice, smaller city offices to be used mainly for meetings.

This is worth thinking about - https://news.sky.com/story/coronavir...-over-11974459 I know for myself, the first pint in a beer garden (whenever that happens) will be up there with the birth of my daughter and (maybe) my wedding day.

Re: Your current situation
 

Some great stats in there:

"54%.....hope they will make some changes in their own lives" - Definitely in this camp. Even if daft little things.
"38% cooking from scratch more" - Always enjoyed cooking but easy to sack off the weekly food shop and buy a few bits / order in loads. We've ordered in maybe 3 times in 3-4 weeks now....which is great.
"39% say they are catching up with friends and family more." - never spoken to my parents and sister so much. Also old mate you rarely catch up with too. It's great....draining at times but great.

Good article. Thanks for sharing. Hope the move back has gone smoothly and you're not too manic!

Re: Your current situation
 

i bet you can move it. I had a mid April, moved to early April (before covid), moved to mid May, now "cancelled" and waiting to be moved again.

Re: Your current situation
 

Yeah, I'm expecting to be able to move it, I tried the other day online with no joy to move to June, hopefully will be able to soon.