In a recent sign of our current economic times, vasectomies are are on the upswing around the country; Visits to Vasectomy.com — a 10-year-old informational site that also markets doctors to patients — were up 17.5 percent in the first quarter, compared with the first three months of last year as written in this recent NY Times article. To be quite frank, I’m concerned, completely from a Talent perspective!
For all the male Talent Pros, this just isn’t a small procedure (although your significant other will undoubtedly tell you it is) – I should know, because about 5 years ago I saw this trend coming and volunteered for this procedure – Not! Well, actually I had 3 sons, the thought of adding a forth to the house was a little more than my wife and I could take, so I did some research. My research included interviewing 3 very close HR friends who had vasectomies, and who to this day still laugh like they pulled off the world’s largest practical joke – which they did.
I apologize about the digression – back to Talent and why vasectomies are a bad idea. HR folks have long been telling our respective organizations about our impending labor shortages (see Here and Here) and drawing up contingency plans to prepare for it. But this recent trend could put all of those plans to waste. The fore-mentioned reports say that by 2030 the U.S. could be 35 Million workers short in the labor force. So, stop worrying about the Baby Boomers – the economy took care of that for us, and now Baby Boomers will have to work additional time to make up for retirement losses. We all need to start worrying about Gen X (and not because I’m in it), for the simple fact that a large number of Vasectomies in 2008 – 2010 will give us our lost generation of workers that we need for when I retire 20 to 30 years from now. We need these babies now! Talk about workforce planning.
So, one more good reason not to have a vasectomy – we need the Talent.
Tim – that’s a riot, nice job!
I must tell you though…I’ve already done my part to help the future talent pool and I’m anticipating the five rugrats under my roof to make a big splash in the job market one day.
And I’m proud to say that Edward Vasectomy-Hands played no part in the activity that guaranteed the talent-stoppage in our home.
Love the Scissorhands image. Gives a whole new meaning to the cutting workforce no?
So, should we not cover vasectomies in the health plan to reduce the impact?
Tim – Sweet post.
I’m averaging my 2 kids with Dennis and saying that I’m part of a 3.5 kid plan, thus I’m part of the solution.
And I’m stopping there. Officially.
Thanks for bringing my average up, Dennis…
KD
Hah – very well said Tim; a breath of fresh air really. Let’s keep these pipelines stocked with some of the best and brightest in the world. Our own
Or we can just crash the economy again. Social Security should be close to destroyed by then too. That oughta keep you X-ers working ’till you’re 80.
Seriously, though. There’s plenty of third-world kids that could use a good education and an opportunity to succeed. Business will find replacement labor somewhere; and someone will capitalize on the opportunity. They just might come from somewhere outside the imaginary lines that mark the US.
Thanks for the great read Tim!
I am however thrilled about my hubby’s vasectomy – I don’t have to worry about being late ever again
LOL, leave it to some dude to write about talent and vasectomies.
The population is on an uptick, even though Americans may be having more vasectomies. Additionally, let’s think about our talent footprint on the earth, consider the affects of overpopulation on the dilution of talent, and think about competition in a world that’s full of people who want to get ahead.
I’m pro-vasectomy. I know a few people I’d like to recommend a urologist to…
Well, I could have written about hysterectomies and talent, but it just didn’t seem right!
Thanks for the comments Laurie.