| Let us never forget that we too are but humble | | | | similar work. Employees who are overpaid may be |
| employees who may one day feel the breeze of a | | | | among the first to go during a business downturn. |
| swinging ax. However, simple physics dictated that the | | | | Rather than cut such a person's salary and end up |
| ax cannot fall until it's been raised. And if you can see | | | | with a disgruntled employee, many companies may opt |
| it being raised move your head before it falls. | | | | to fire instead. |
| The danger signs of possible termination are many. But | | | | - Your desk is unusually clear because you're being |
| these are the primary ones you want to look out for. | | | | given little new work to do. And the steady flow of |
| - Your subordinates have been receiving promotions | | | | interoffice memos directed to your attention |
| and raises, you have not. | | | | inexplicably slows to a trickle. |
| - Choice special projects are no longer given to you. | | | | - Your boss suddenly becomes overly critical of your |
| - Your opinion is being solicited less and less frequently. | | | | work. Negative memos about your performance could |
| - The company retains a management consultant who | | | | be preparation for your firing. Or conversely, |
| asks you detailed questions about your job | | | | management stops being the least bit critical. You may |
| responsibilities and specific activities... While this may be | | | | not receive any constructive criticism because you |
| an attempt to improve productivity and efficiency, it | | | | aren't expected to be on the payroll long enough to |
| could also be one way of gathering information to be | | | | benefit from it. |
| passed on to your replacement. | | | | Taken individually, any one of these warning signs |
| - The corporation is forced to make across-the-board | | | | could easily be a false alarm. The time to sit up and |
| pay cuts, but a larger-than-average slice is taken out | | | | take notice is when you see three or more of these |
| of your check. | | | | scenarios occurring simultaneously. |
| - You are making more money than others doing | | | | |