L ayoffs, pay cuts, trimming of the work week - the nightmare that has engulfed much of the workforce in the past year has turned out to be a blessing in disguise for some.
One of those who in hindsight has benefited from the crisis is Sue Wong, a former marketing manager of a recruitment firm who was told to reduce her working hours.
'They cut everything by half. Half hours and half salary,' Wong said. 'Of course I wasn't too happy about it, but I had no choice.'
Predictably, though, her workload did not halve accordingly. Frustrated with her efforts to remain professional in a 21/2-day week, Wong decided to move on.
She realised that one of the advantages of working part-time was that she had time to look for another job. Rather than having to juggle a full-time job and interview preparation or to be excused from work in order to meet a potential employer, Wong had plenty of time to search for a new position, beef up her resume and prepare for interviews. She was able to research companies more thoroughly and improve her interviewing skills using online tools. Within three months, Wong had found a full-time job and handed in her notice.
While many employees may begrudge the measures taken by their employers to tighten the belt during the downturn, they realise that by accepting a shorter work week - albeit at lower pay - they can hold on to their jobs and support their families. Some consider their employer's decision to retain their skills despite financial difficulty an indicator that they are valued.
