[Mick]

Tough time to be an "Administrative Assistant".  I count 72 (!) with that job title on the lay-off list. 

I'm guessing the order came down that everyone below level X will now manage their own calendars, e-mail, expenses, reporting, etc.  This has been happening in private industry for quite awhile.

I've had to handle two layoffs. In both cases, the firms wanted headcount reduced, rather aggregate salary. Therefore, my lowest-paid team members all took the hit, mostly assistants. In the latter case, I really wanted to eliminate two underperforming, highly-paid directors, but was told that I couldn't by HR.

[Mick]

Tough time to be an "Administrative Assistant".  I count 72 (!) with that job title on the lay-off list. 

I'm guessing the order came down that everyone below level X will now manage their own calendars, e-mail, expenses, reporting, etc.  This has been happening in private industry for quite awhile.

I've had to handle two layoffs. In both cases, the firms wanted headcount reduced, rather aggregate salary. Therefore, my lowest-paid team members all took the hit, mostly assistants. In the latter case, I really wanted to eliminate two underperforming, highly-paid directors, but was told that I couldn't by HR.