How to Cope when a Co-Worker is Laid Off

When your best water cooler buddy gets laid off, it can be really upsetting. The rumors start flying and then the grapevine confirms that, yes, a close co-worker has been laid off. You suddenly find yourself coping with an uncomfortable situation. On the one hand, you must provide support for your friend. On the other hand, you begin to wonder about the security of your own job.

First of all, when a layoff is announced and you see a friend quietly packing his desk, don't hide behind your cubicle wall. The worst thing to do is nothing at all. React as quickly as you can or else you'll look like an insensitive jerk. Offer your co-worker a sympathetic ear, but whatever you do, don’t say things like "I'll probably be next" or "You're better off anyway...you’re getting off a sinking ship." These comments are negative and not helpful. More importantly, do not encourage defeatist or vengeful behavior. The best thing you can do is be honest. Simply saying, "I just heard the news and I don't know what to say" and listening while they vent is support enough.

But what about you? Sure, you still have your job but things won’t be the same. In fact, you, too, may become discouraged. You may even start to wonder when the next shoe will drop and if you'll be next. Very often the overall work environment changes too. Without your best office pal, it’s just not as fun as it used to be. So, what should you do?

First, you both need to change your mindset. Remember, your destiny is ultimately in your own hands. Whether you’re still employed or not, you should consider alternative ways to earn extra income. Freelance jobs are a great way to earn extra cash and gain greater financial freedom. The point is – always have your hand in another cookie jar. This helps soften the blow of being laid off. If you have a few jobs on the side and some extra income coming in, if you are suddenly laid off you’ll be less freaked out about how to make ends meet. And, in the end, you may be able to continue with your side projects, but at a full-time pace instead.

Another way to become empowered is to further educate yourself – even if you’re completely comfortable in your current job. If you continually and proactively sharpen your skills and expand them, you will be less likely to lose your job because you’ll be a more valuable employee. Not only that, if you do happen to get laid off, you will be considered more desirable if you can demonstrate you are up-to-date with the latest industry trends and technology.

Ultimately, you and your friend can turn the devastation of a lay off into a positive thing for both of you. Don’t let fear get the best of you. Rather, let it inspire you. Take classes. Volunteer in a completely different industry. Immerse yourself into an alternative job you wouldn’t ordinarily consider. Remember, a layoff isn’t the end of the world. It’s the start of a new one. Good luck!

Labels: corporate culture, downsizing, friendship, job security, professional relationships, real-world knowledge

Posted by Seymour Jobs on 7/31/2009 09:28:00 AM
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Newly hired? Now you’re fired.

Break out the tissues. This post contains sensitive material.

Today someone got laid off. Or, in politically correct speak, their “position was eliminated.” Perhaps they knew it was coming. Perhaps not. But the worst of it is this: they had just embarked on a new career and had a bright, exciting future in front of them. Could this be you?

This is how it works. First you’ll hear rumors of layoffs. The rumors result in office-wide shock and paranoia. Your colleagues begin to console each other. A co-worker assures you that you “deserve to stay” because you are smarter, more skilled, more attractive and generally all-around cooler. You’re glad that all your hard work went noticed by your superiors, but worry that those who mandated the layoff at the national level don’t know you — you are just a name that fills a position — and the newest person on the team. What’s more, according to the rumor mill, the positions being eliminated may solely be decided by how recently people were hired.

So there you have it. You went through four years of college and graduated. You land the job, are praised for a job “well done” and then all the sudden, your high expectations are dashed and you are no longer employable.

Getting laid-off is a humbling experience, especially if you’ve never experienced real financial hardship or big disappointment. But there's plenty of time to fix things and get back on track. Look at the situation as an opportunity. Consider an unpaid internship or temp work while you search for another job. Think about moving to a place where there are more career opportunities in your field. What about graduate school? Perhaps this is best time for you to get that advanced degree.

But, while you spend hours looking for jobs, be sure to make time for yourself too. Hit the gym five times a week. Use your free time to blog more. Rent multiple seasons of your favorite TV melodrama.

A youthful outlook helps too. That great next job might not emerge next week or even next month, But, remember, time is on your side -- so take a deep breath. You’ll likely be working for decades!

Labels: job security, jobs after college, real-world knowledge, recession

Posted by Seymour Jobs on 4/20/2009 01:28:00 PM
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Recession-Proofing Your Job

It’s sad but true: job security is an oxymoron. The workplace is simply not as crowded as it used to be. But, if you are fortunate enough to have a job, especially one that you enjoy, now’s the time to keep yourself from becoming a statistic and take hold of your career.

First of all, this is no time to be invisible. If they don’t notice you, you’ll be one of the first people to receive a pink slip. Instead, adjust that attitude to fit the seriousness of the times, and safeguard your position. How?

• Perform! Being a valuable contributor to an organization has never been more critical. Be a good employee. Be a team player. Be a top-producer.
• Stay tuned in. Skip that $4 latte in favor of the office coffee klatch. Eat at your desk instead a grabbing a sandwich at the local café. Move your lunchtime workout to after work instead. The more you’re around the office the better plugged in you’ll be.
• Talk up your contributions. Make sure you're adding value by going above and beyond your basic job responsibilities. Then make sure your boss knows it -- without being obnoxious. Document what you do, and how successful you are at it.
• No whining. If your workload increases, deal with it. If you have to come in early, stay late or work a weekend, suck it up. This is not the time to be thinking about work-life balance. Remember, happy campers are less likely to get laid off than chronic complainers.
• Never stop networking. The day you’re let go is not the day to start calling old colleagues and asking former bosses out to lunch. You should be doing that right now. How quickly you land a new job after a layoff often depends on how consistently you've networked.

In this economy, preparation is just as important for those who still have jobs as it is for those seeking them. So, stay focused on what you’re doing, but have an exit strategy in your back pocket. Good luck!

Labels: job security, jobs after college, professionalism, real-world knowledge, recession, the real world

Posted by Seymour Jobs on 4/10/2009 02:44:00 PM
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