Don't Be a Victim of "Layoff Denial"
J.T. O'Donnell
Founder & CEO, Work It DAILY | Board of Directors & CMO, McCoy | Career & Professional Development | Job Search | HR & Recruiting | Employer Branding | Recruitment Marketing | Talent Management | Executive Coaching
A report yesterday says Blackberry is expecting another layoff, a whopping 40% of their workforce.
While there's no official word from the company this will take place, spokespeople are making it clear the next phase of Blackberry's restructuring is coming in an attempt to save the company.
Being an employee of a company with looming layoffs is not fun.
The feeling of helplessness that comes over you when this type of news hits the public about your employer creates stress, anxiety, and confusion.
Right now, Blackberry employees are asking themselves things like:
- Should I stay and see if there's a package for those that get laid off?
- Maybe I should get my resume together?
- Will my boss figure out I'm looking for a job if I update my Linkedin profile?
- Will I look totally desperate if I contact Joe who left the company a month ago to take that cool job at a start-up?
Let me answer those:
1) There will most likely be little in the way of exit packages because the company is losing money. In fact, there may not even be any type of outplacement (a/k/a career coaching paid for by the company) either.
2) Yes. Get your resume updated ASAP and make sure it is in the latest format.
3) Adjust your privacy settings in Linkedin and get the profile updated. Then, start privately networking with as many people as you can.
4) No, you won't look desperate if you contact Joe. You'll look smart. Moreover, better to do it now than when the layoffs hit and 1000 people contact Joe.
Don't Be a Victim of "Layoff Denial"
If you hear about a layoff at your company, get your job search in gear, HIGH gear. Best case, you land a new job and you don't have to worry about being a casualty of the RIF (reduction in force). Worst case, you get let go but have a jump-start on finding work over everyone else affected with similar skills sets to yours. Keep in mind, the average length of job search in America right now is 9+ months. And, studies show it's a lot harder to get a job when you are unemployed.
Don't Deny Reality & Don't Sit in Sadness Too Long
Get yourself out there networking and take control of your future. You are a business-of-one who needs to protect itself. If your client (the employer) is at risk of severing it's relationship with you, it's up to you to find a new customer to replace them - fast!
What other tips can readers share to help people with a pending layoff? I'd love to hear your comments below.
If you want to read more of what I've written, check out my articles on Inc.com.
P.S. - First time reading my posts? Thanks for taking the time to stop by! Not only do I write for Linkedin, but I'm also founder of a popular career advice site,CAREEREALISM,and currently run the career coaching program,CareerHMO. I hope you'll check them both out!
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CAREEREALISM’s Founder, J.T. O’Donnell is a nationally syndicated career expert and workplace consultant who helps American workers of all ages find greater professional satisfaction. Her book, CAREEREALISM: The Smart Approach to a Satisfying Career, outlines her highly successful career-coaching methodology. Purchase her e-book of CAREEREALISM for only $9.95 by clicking here!
Image above by Shutterstock.
Supply Chain, Operations and Strategy Consultant
7yMy sister had a co-worker who was 'told' they might offer her a package. A few weeks later, she came to them and said 'I don't feel right staying here and taking a salary, let's just cut the cord.' She took the package, and they later found out she already had another job lined up - so she got an 'exit bonus'. Love that story! At a former employer, the day we were supposed to have turned in our PCs after our lay-off one of my fellow 'exitees' send me an email from his work email account. Called him up and said, "Frank, have your turned in your PC?" He replied that he had not, but he was holding on to it (since he'd been there more than a decade) and didn't think they'd mind. He thought they were just going to send him his severance (which may have been close to $90k) without doing that. I told him "Frank, they want their PC, you've been axed (like me), you aren't going to get your check until they get their PC back." Many people who have longevity believe that they are 'smarter' or 'better' than those who have been laid off....until it happens to them (followed by denial), then as I always say: "Welcome to the Club. We got a whole lotta people in this here Club!"
Financial Business Analyst
8ySince the mass lay offs of millions during the height of the recession America and the global economy struggles to recover. It is sad that the financialization has wrecked such havoc.