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Permalink Reply by Demian Luper on March 4, 2009 at 12:58pm

My advice would be to go ahead and work a few days a week or a few hours at least. The times when I've been laid off the hardest thing to adjust to, and what was most damaging to my morale, was the lack of daily social interaction. If you love the work you do, being able to do it even for a limitted amount and for free can really boost your spirits. I think staying positive is critical to riding out hard economic times and finding a new job. And who knows, maybe one of your customers could be a job lead...

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Permalink Reply by Terika on March 4, 2009 at 2:06pm

Demian has a good point. Doing that would also allow you the opportunity to say goodbye at your own pace. Be careful not to let this get in the way of other opportunities though. I would hate for you to not look for something else, or to turn something down because of this. You do need to take care of yourself.

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Permalink Reply by Dave_G on March 4, 2009 at 2:55pm

If you make good coffee and draw new customers in, surely either the tips will cover your costs or the shop will become profitable and the boss will pay you for your work.... Don't rip yourself off though

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Permalink Reply by Chris Avirett on March 4, 2009 at 3:20pm

I went to a shop in NY that was run totally by volunteers that had other jobs. Def need to be able to get by so looking for another job is not disrespecful, but try and help out when you can, that's just goodness at its best. Just thought I'd chime in.

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Permalink Reply by Mike McGinness on March 4, 2009 at 6:24pm

Yeah times are tight for many of us. I haven't had to lay anyone off yet but I've had to cut my 3 employee's hours by about a third of what they were a year ago. And that's of course with me as owner working 60 to 70hrs a week 100% unpaid since June '08.

My advice split your time looking for employment and volunteering your time at the shop in question. Help him build the business and if he's the type of person you seem to say you'll be rewarded in the long run. But of course ya gotta take care of yourself. The economy is going to turn around, but it could well be more like years not months. I personally sometimes think I see the light at the end of the tunnel but still these days more often than not it's a friggin' freight train! But the doors are still open and haven't missed a payroll...knock on wood...

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Permalink Reply by Denise Smith on March 5, 2009 at 4:02am

We are just opening (I know, seems crazy right now) it's those who have been volunteering and helping out because they believe in our dream, that will get special consideration when hiring. It's human nature. Any employee who has someone so passionate that they are willing to work for tips or half wages... Man, I'd do everything I could to keep them around until I could get them back on payroll.

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Permalink Reply by Jason Shipley on March 6, 2009 at 6:53am

Get up every morning and help him through the morning rush, then look for a job every day after you get done. Make your full time job be getting a job. There are things happening for those people who go out every day amd make them happen. Good Luck!

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