When I worked at DuPont, occasionally we would experience cyclical work slow downs. Often during these times, management would ask for volunteers, for voluntary layoffs. I always immediately jump on these “opportunities” for time off. If there were no volunteers they would have to do real layoffs, and real layoffs could become permanent. My buddy Robert and I were in the Personnel Office signing out for our “break” and the Plant manager was there and he was thanking us for volunteering. He asked us what our plans were and if we were going to be ‘OK”. I told him I was single,frugal and the time off was valuable to me. Robert tells him, ” I’m wish to spend some time with my wife,after all this shift work I’ve been doing. We’re ok, I got some savings for times like this and if things do get tough,; “I can always go back to the iron and steel business”. The Plant manager goes “Oh, you have a fall back position?” Robert says, “yep, if things get tight my old lady will take in ironing, and at night I will go out stealing.”
