Who knows... anybody could be next - this may be the first wave. My brother and sis in law told me same thing is happening in their jobs and they are scared too. Sis works for a big bank and Bro works for a University. Sad. I think the low employment rate figures are misleading. I don't qualify for unemployment insurance ( 2 weeks short of minimum time of service) so I am not counted in those figures and wasn't counted when I arrived and first started looking. I see a lot of homeless here - there was always a lot in NY - there was a huge amount in Austin TX..... I don't think economy is as good as they say.

Totally legal. No recourse.

As much I love sucking dick I don't think I want to do that for a living. However, I applied to my local supermarket and the many businesses in walking distance ( I don't drive - I was ubering to work) because I will take anything until the right opportunity comes a long. I don't have funds to start my own business...unless of course it's sucking dicks. Don't need much start up for that. LOL. I did own my own business in NYC and I was bad at it. It was a retail pet supply store and we did animal rescue and adoptions. I was great at adoptions and customer service etc but I gave away too much stuff...was too competitive with larger chain stores that I realistically could not and my prices were too low... it lasted 3 years ( during which I also worked another job) but the lease was up I closed it and didn't renew because I knew I couldn't keep up much longer and it would be unfair to landlord to sign a new lease and have to break it. That was the second saddest day of my life.

@Dandewine Self-employment has its downsides, for sure. Naturally, all of your customers and would-be customers try to finagle you down in price. Then after you bill them, you have to nag and nag them to get paid. It helps when they really need your services on-going. That gives you the power to say "No tickee, no laundry."