AM I NEXT? NOTHING FUNNY ABOUT THIS APRIL FOOL'S DAY

Today is traditionally the day for prank announcements, but there is nothing funny about the pandemic sweeping the nation, sickening and killing our fellow citizens as well as temporarily destroying our economy and personal lives.

Many of us will be quarantined in our homes in an effort to stop the spread of this insidious disease. Time to update our resumes, realistically assess the future prospects of your employer, and to investigate government sources of funds to help ease your financial burden if you are not lucky enough to work for an organization that is continuing your salary and healthcare during this period.

We are rapidly learning how many individuals are non-essential to the company’s management, operations, and financial success. We are also learning how many employees can work from home so the company can downsize physical space and reduce costs. But above all, we are learning we miss our co-workers.

Change is coming. There will always be a tomorrow, no matter how much you may try to ignore it. There are no guarantees in life or promises for a bright future. Just because something bad hasn't happened yet, doesn't mean it won't. It can happen to anyone, anytime, anywhere. No one is guaranteed to wake up tomorrow and still have a job by evening. Are you now wondering, Am I Next?

AM I NEXT? NO LOVE AT APACHE CORPORATION (03/23/25)

MARCH 23, 2025 — 300 EMPLOYEES GONE

The company has confirmed that it cut nearly 300 employees globally in January and late February as part of the cost-cutting plans APA had previously announced, reducing its corporate office staff by more than one-third.

According to a company spokesperson, "APA has undertaken a comprehensive organizational review and is implementing changes to reduce its overall cost structure and ensure long-term competitiveness."

MARCH 31, 2020 — Original post…

Houston, Texas-based Apache Corporation, a oil and gas exploration and production company, continues to execute their reorganization which they characterize as a corporate redesign to “rightsize” the enterprise. This includes a reduction in force, with approximately 85 employees located in Midland, Texas.

A company spokesperson noted, “We are lowering our Permian rig count to zero and focusing capital elsewhere in our portfolio and, as a result, have made the difficult decision to further reduce staff. The rightsizing is a recognition that we will not be returning to past levels of capital activity and need to make a permanent reduction in headcount.”

There has been widespread market disruption with significantly lower oil and gas prices as competitors seek to fulfill the spot market demand at lower margins.

Change is coming. There will always be a tomorrow, no matter how much you may try to ignore it. There are no guarantees in life or promises for a bright future. Just because something bad hasn't happened yet, doesn't mean it won't. It can happen to anyone, anytime, anywhere. No one is guaranteed to wake up tomorrow and still have a job by evening. Are you now wondering, Am I Next?

AM I NEXT? NO LOVE AT NEXTEER AUTOMOTIVE

Auburn Hills, Michigan-based Nexteer Automotive, a global manufacturer of automotive steering and driveline products, has announced that an estimated 195 employees will be laid off in Saginaw, Michigan in the midst of an ongoing union contract negotiation with the United Autoworkers union.

According to a company spokesperson, “As Nexteer reported in late 2019, we expected potential layoffs in early 2020 at our Saginaw site. On March 13, 2020, we reduced our workforce as part of Nexteer’s ongoing effort to ensure our long-term future and competitiveness by rightsizing operations in line with customers’ volumes and program needs. While this decision was anticipated, it did not make it easier. We are working with our affected employees to provide support services and help them through this transition. We are focused on securing Saginaw’s future and – as always – remain committed to delivering high quality products and service for our customers.”

According to a union spokesperson, “The loss of work and the reduction of the hourly workforce was something that this leadership team inherited when we took office. This administration has done everything we could to create and preserve as many jobs as possible,” the post reads. "It may not seem like we have been successful as there have been so many of our brothers and sisters impacted, but I can assure you, if it were not for the measures taken by your leadership, there would have been Permanent Layoffs much sooner and the numbers of those impacted would have been far greater.”

Change is coming. There will always be a tomorrow, no matter how much you may try to ignore it. There are no guarantees in life or promises for a bright future. Just because something bad hasn't happened yet, doesn't mean it won't. It can happen to anyone, anytime, anywhere. No one is guaranteed to wake up tomorrow and still have a job by evening. Are you now wondering, Am I Next?