Don't know why these came to mind, but I have read at least two fics with this plot. I would've sworn they were written by Suz and Xie, but I looked through their fic lists and didn't find them. Neither are they in the financial crisis tag, though someone else did look for a similar fic a couple of years ago, but that request wasn't found.

Don't remember much about either fic; they were set around 2007 or so. In one, things are tense and Brian tells Ted and Cynthia they were going avoid laying off any staff if at all possible, but if anyone quit, their position wouldn't be filled. In the other fic, B/J were in NYC, the agency went under, Britin was sold, their NY apt was sold, their retirement accounts were emptied trying to save the agency and staff, all to no avail. Brian notes that nearly everyone they know is in the same boat because they all do things that aren't necessary. People quit buying Justin's paintings, quit hiring Emmett to cater parties, corps pulled back their ads.

ETA: Both fics located. Fall, by Xie, and Reality Bites, by Suz.