This is just a general question regarding IT job retention in the United States. Are IT technicians(Help Desk) or any other IT professionals prone to unemployment and layoffs more than other lines of work? Are IT workers sometimes forced to move if they get laid off from their jobs? I'd like to ask this question to anyone that has some experience in the IT field. Thanks.
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Recession Looming
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Your question is actually quite complex to answer. I would start with the overall numbers during the latest recession and take a deeper dive into them.
There are multiple patterns that arise just from the unemployment numbers.. The two strongest ones to me were location and education level. Those with a higher level degree of education always seemed to be significantly below the national average.
The other aspect of these numbers can be show in the layoffs recorded. The numbers were broken down into sectors. Job growth is also mentioned in these reports. You could compare recession numbers of say manufacturing, to that of IT. You could compare the new jobs created in IT, versus Healthcare.
In the end there isn't an easy way to answer your question. Fortunately the raw data is out there and can be analyzed to find meaning.
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As Jared said, there is no easy to answer this. That's probably why it took 10 days for someone to try! I personally don't think IT professionals are inherently more prone to layoffs than others. But the IT field is changing much faster than most, and those that don't keep up are likely to get replaced by people who do. Don't expect to stay in the same position for many years; set your sights on a higher position and actively work to qualify for it. Become familiar with topics outside your specialty; it will increase your value, as well as open alternative career paths.
No company can force you to move unless you signed a contract agreeing to it (at least in the U.S.). Of course, a company can put a lot of pressure on you to move! The choice between moving to keep your job and finding another job in the same area may feel like you are being forced, but ultimately you do have that choice.