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About Shirley McAllister, CPP, PHR
Expertise
I can answer questions pertaining to Compensation, Health Benefits, Retirement Plans, Payroll,Payroll taxes, Employee selection, Employee Termination, Training, and Employee Incentives. I have offices in U.S., Canada, UK, South Africa,Australia and NZ. I am most confident in the U.S. and Canadian but have knowledge of the internationals. I do not have extensive knowledge of South Africa, Australia and New Zealand. I do have some Human Resource Knowledge in those areas. Please do not ask me homework questions, I do not have time to answer them.

Experience
I currently hold both the U.S. and Canadian Payroll Certifications. I currently hold the SHRM PHR certification. I have worked in the Human Resources area with high emphasis on compensation and benefits for 25 years at the same company. My company is an international company and I work with our International offices whenever there is a Human Resource area needing addressed. I volunteer on the American Payroll Association hotline and have for the last 10 years or so. I answer many questions each week for other payroll and HR professionals, mostly on taxes, benefits and compensation issues. I have been the trustee for our 401K plan for Retirement benefits and our 125 Cafeteria Plan for Health Insurance benefits.

Organizations
SHRM, National APA, National DOLEA, State National Mentoring Network I.O.M.A. Advisory Board

Publications
I.O.M.A. BNA

Education/Credentials
Boise State University Human Resource Certificate Program PHR through SHRM CPP through American Payroll Association Payroll Administrator and Payroll Supervisor certification through Canadian Payroll Association Published writer of Payroll and Benefit articles in a payroll Publication 25 years experience in an International Company

Awards and Honors
Citation of Merit 8 years in a row for hotline service for A.P.A. Honor Award for child mentoring service through RSVP and National Mentoring A "Pat on the Back" award for outstanding leadership as a Youth Group Leader by "The Salvation Army." Runner up for Employee of the Year at my Company twice and Employee of the month 4 times.

Past/Present Clients
I used to answer questions on Ask.com when they had a similar quesition and answer section. I volunteer for APA hotline I also belong to several HR forums when I often answer questions

You are here: Experts > Jobs/Careers > Human Resources > Human Resources > Graphic Design and being laid off

Human Resources - Graphic Design and being laid off

Expert: Shirley McAllister, CPP, PHR - 10/29/2009

Question
I have graduated with a Bachelors of Science in Multi-Media Technology in 2005, I have been working as a professional Graphic Designer since 2004. I have had no problem with working with people and have had no problems with clients.

So my concern is that I have been laid off from three different Jobs and all three Jobs gave the exact same reasoning. All have said "We no longer need your assistance here, your position has been eliminated please pack your bags and leave." Because of these events do I end up on a black list?

I am an honest worker and I LOVE my job. Is it the economy where just about everyone is being laid off will there even be a need for Graphic Designers? Is the Title Graphic Designer not exist any more? or do Graphic Designers have to go back to school and learn a different trade or skill?

please let me know, I would like to start working again soon... Just like alot of us I don't like to be out work.

What do you think?

Answer
I think most of it is the economy. Companies are cutting back to the bone trying to make enough to keep their company going. The first time was probably because the company was cutting back and the other two times were more or less probably because the company was cutting back and because you were a newer employee. Usually the newer employees go first when there is a layoff.

It does not leave a black mark on your record if you were let go because your position was eliminated as it was nothing you did wrong or your fault at all.

I think there is still a need for graphic designers we have two of them at our company. I will tell you that they have had to learn new programs and especially graphic design for the internet and our web pages as a large percentage of our business has migrated to the internet. It might be something you would want to take a look at.

Shirley

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