You know times are tough when 11 year old kids start getting layoff notices.

My 11yo delivers newspapers. Our local newspaper is going to cease publication this summer (replaced by a web site and twice weekly newspaper, except that is going to be some other company) (and we heard about it on the radio the day before it appeared in print!). About a month ago, he got his first official letter explaining some of what would happen. Yesterday, he got a much more official letter. Part of it reads:

As indicated by your written agreement with [newspaper], and by our actual relationship, you are an independent contractor, not an employee. Therefore, the requirements of The Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification At of 1988, 29 U.S.C. § 2101 et seq. (“WARN”), a law which requires advance written notice of certain layoffs and closings, do not apply to you.

However, as an accommodation to you and to avoid any misunderstandings, and without in any way affecting your status as an independent contractor, we are giving you notice regarding the cessation of publication of [newspaper].

So there it is. Not yet 12 and his first pink slip.