What do you hear about layoffs in Columbus? (home, unemployment)

[Bo]

I have a lot of extended-family members employed in the Columbus area, so I'm worried for them and their jobs.

In the first Christmas card we got from that area, a friend of ours revealed that he was laid off recently from Chase after almost 20 years of working there.

What else are you folks in Columbus hearing about layoffs?

[GeminiGal]

I don't think Columbus, in general, is doing any better or worse than any other city it's size. Several months ago, it was reported that unemployment in central OH was alot lower than the national average - but I am sure that has changed. I have heard Chase has let people go but don't know exact numbers. The financal industry is obviously being hit the worst and that is not the best place to be especially if you are a long time employee (sorry to hear about that). We seem to have alot of retail that have HQs here, that sector will most certainly see lay offs first qtr 2009. The two things that Cbus metro does have going for it is that is the state capital (State jobs) and The OSU are here - government and education seem to be the most recession proof.

[dustin183]

The biggest 3 employers in Columbus are: the State of Ohio, OSU, the U.S. Govt. They won't be laying many people off. But as GeminiGal said, the financial and retail companies (namely JPMorgan Chase and The Limited) are more susceptible to the recession.

[Bo]

Thanks for the updates. It's good to know that the bottom isn't dropping out of the local economy there.

[streetcreed]

The biggest 3 employers in Columbus are: the State of Ohio, OSU, the U.S. Govt. They won't be laying many people off. But as GeminiGal said, the financial and retail companies (namely JPMorgan Chase and The Limited) are more susceptible to the recession.

The largest private employer in all of central Ohio is Chase. Columbus is home to more Chase employees than any other city in the World after NYC. Of course, this exists because Bank One, Columbus headquartered, was merged into Chase and they have kept all of the previous, modern Bank One facilities in operation (and have actually moved Chase employees to Columbus.)

Hopefully, Chase will not let too many go, but I haven't heard anything about mass layoffs there.

[chicagoerin]

–Employment in 8-county region has risen
•2,500 more jobs in October 2008 than December 2007
•Employment fell in September & October 2008, but proportionally much less than national average