Powerful emotions surface as packaging pros weigh in on economic uncertainty

The impact of the 2009 economy evoked strong emotions among salary survey respondents who expressed everything from despair over lost jobs to enthusiasm about new opportunities.

Survey
Survey

Given a chance to freely express their opinions on the impact of the economy on their business in 2009, packaging professionals spoke their minds in the 2010 Salary Survey conducted by the Institute of Packaging Professionals and Packaging World magazine, developed in cooperation with Gros Executive Recruiters. A report on survey results will be published in Packaging World's April 2010 issue. 

What follows are some of the most thoughtful responses, some of which were edited for clarity.

• “Although business overall slowed down alongside the economy, it has given me an opportunity to focus on taking more responsibility and helping out in different areas of our business. I have also become closer with other employees as we share the same excitement in orders picking up again for the new decade. Things are definitely looking up as far as sustainable and economically responsible packaging. There is talk of a revolutionary insulated container. … This will help the pharmaceutical and biomed industry immensely to keep costs down as our economy gives way to hints of inflation.”

• “Appreciation for employment and [my] employer. In the past, a year without a promotion would have driven me to seek other employment. The fact that my employer values my position and work in the company and sees engineering as a must shows personal and functional value.”

• “As other engineers are let go, my responsibilities have increased at no extra compensation. I feel lucky to have a job.”

• “I cannot find a job, I am too old, and I have either too much education, or the wrong education. No matter what I do, I face walls.”

• “Companies do not value employees as much as they used to. You can be eliminated at any time.”

• “Company is changing its performance bonus-based system, freezing pay increases, but perhaps increasing stock options in order to link bonus compensation to company performance.”

• “Company is using the economic downturn to give less in benefits and pay. The company made more profit than in the past four years.”

• “Company layoffs and internal job transitions impacted my department and I am the only employee in the packaging department left after joining as the 5th member of the packaging team only two years ago.”

• “Continued outsourcing to Asia has increased the substandard trend of contract manufacturing companies having the ability for self-regulation, which diminishes outside third-party validation. Quality is sacrificed for pricing.”

• “Cost controls have restricted or eliminated professional and industry organizations memberships, and reduced support for professional education opportunities.”

• “Customer cut-backs in staff have led to increasing follow-ups on my end, as customer is unable to do this themselves. Have to do much more for customer, without compensation, in order to bring projects to fruition. [It] brings me to a point where I may just forget about packaging and start from scratch doing something else if I decide to stay in this state.”

• “Difficult to lay off highly effective, experienced packaging engineers (2) and transfer the responsibilities to Asia with individuals with no or little packaging training and no experience. One of these individuals I worked with for more than 15 years.”

• “Doing more work… and the company is not recognizing the lack of people vs. workload, and expect me to handle it. I want and do a great job, but am getting very tired and stressed...so are many others.”

• “Effective leadership has the responsibility to accept the majority of the sacrifices when times are tough. Everyone shares the burden so we can hopefully survive the current crisis and be able to return to sustaninable growth this year.”

• “Equipment sales have been negatively impacted. Customers are uncertain about the economy and this government, so are basically sitting on their wallets. Hoping for 2010 to be much better, but it won't unless this current administration changes its policies immediately.”

• “For the most part, the economic downturn has not impacted me much, other than increasing the anxiety level about job security. While I feel secure in my current position, I've been through reorganizations/downsizing at other companies and I know those decisions sometimes come out of the blue and hit employees. For the most part, our company has thrived and profited during the downturn, so security should be stable as long as performance stays up. I've learned though that there is no job as good as the one you are holding during bad times.”

• “Given the downturn and possible impact on my job security, I am actively pursuing alternate employment which will probably result in a reduction in my annual compensation, but will hopefully provide a more enjoyable work atmosphere.”

• “Having my wages and my hours cut back had me wondering where the future of design was headed. I have reassessed my position within the company I work for, and am reevaluating plans for the future, and I am spending more time with my family.”

• “I am 58 years old and fully realize that I will not be able to replace this job should I loose it. I routinely work 50+ hours per week, frequently on Saturday, just to understand how far behind I am in my backload. I have taken on the jobs of two full-time people--Regulatory Specialist and R&D Development Chemist. The downturn has mostly impacted my personal life--my family suffers because of my absence.”

• “I am fortunate that the economic downturn has not impacted me or the packaging staff at my employer. While other areas of the company I work for are reducing staff positions, my packaging staff is currently looking to add positions to better support manufacturing.”

• “I had to transition from pharma to the chemical industry. My commute involves driving an additional 28 miles/day. My previous employer provided tuition reimbursement while my current employer requires five years’ employment status before they will pay. I am not sure how I will finish my Masters degree program now. I also have taken a position that is somewhat limited and does not allow me to utilize my skills. I am concerned I will not be able to remain current due to lack of exposure to specific technical interfaces.”

• “I have been laid off since April 2009. There are not many jobs available for a former VP Engineering, R&D, New Business Development, and COO. There appear to be jobs for [those with] five to 10 years of experience, or less. Yet, I am told that job would be a step backward. The actual unemployment rate is 17%, plus the under employment rate is another 17%. There is no job creation. We need jobs. People are hard-working and qualified. Yet, where are the jobs?”

• “I make less than I did 10 years ago, packaging responsibilities have been outsourced, and I am working in an area not related to packaging, distribution, logistics, or warehousing.”

• “I took a generous voluntary severance package at my previous employer when they had to decrease headcount (packaging was not affected by these layoffs, but I was intending to leave anyway, actively searching when the severance package was offered to all employees). I took a promotion and higher pay at a great company that appreciates and values my contributions to the packaging department. I found no shortage of open positions and interviews and found a company that fits me very well in this tough economy. Packaging seems to still be going strong, especially in medical device.”

• “I was laid off form a contract package engineering job at GM after eight years. [It was] the best thing that could have happened. Accepted a contract package engineering job with J&J, and was hired full time into a senior-level position last December. I couldn't be happier, although there were some stressful times after the layoff from GM.”

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