To a large degree, I think it depends on the perception of the Records 
Program by end users and decision makers. If the records staff is not 
engaged and/or is perceived as not intrinsic to the success of the org, 
then pink slips could downsize the program, or at least those who carry it 
out. Even if the program is valued, there can still be reductions. I am 
losing my student intern position due to fiscal belt tightening. While 
it's not a regular position, we've come to rely on the intern for a number 
of routine tasks and to help round-out coverage when one of us has to 
travel to a branch office.

Back to your point, I've seen whole records programs severely cut back or 
eliminated due to the perception that they served no real purpose or even 
worse, became a black hole. I should add that these grim consequences were 
often the result of mid and upper management hiring any Joe Blow off the 
street who claimed to know how to manage records. Since management has no 
idea what to do with records, they place all their trust in these 
charlatans. These are the types of programs that are not recession proof. 
A good records manager and his/her staff who make the program a vital and 
intrinsic part of the organization should be almost completely 
recession-proof.

Stephen Cohen, Records Manager
MetLife \ Legal Affairs
1095 Avenue of the Americas
New York, NY  10036-6796
212-578-2373
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