How to Cope up with Stress in case you are laid off. Getting laid off without prior notice is a frightening prospect. The very thought of it makes our hearts skip a bit. It’s nothing personal though (well, most of the time), companies simply choose this as an easy way out whenever their economies start going south.
It’s never popular and often companies will try other cost-cutting measures long before they have to cut workers. Of course, those who are let go need help with the transition to new employment. But the employees who survive the cutbacks also need reassurance about their own future and an understanding of the strategic goals behind the cuts.
While the whole idea of unemployment is stressful and affects the self-esteem of a person and deteriorates their social status. A layoff can be traumatic in itself, and in the case of a sudden layoff, you feel all the more sad and disappointed. However, the workplace is definitely not a good place to express these emotions. No matter what the emotional status might be, don’t go about burning bridges inside your workplace as your actions can be misinterpreted or misunderstood.
Give yourself some time with the impact of being laid off. If unexpected, you will likely feel more upset, shocked, and disappointed than if you had some idea layoffs were coming. But people aren’t stupid, they know when things aren’t going well. Even if top managers spin the circumstances positively, the message comes across through unclear goals, a decrease in resources committed to ongoing projects, and other subtle clues. Discussing and acknowledging the company’s position is the first step to keeping people involved.
If you need to vent, do so to close friends (or your family, or your therapist) outside of work. Don’t feel bad if you feel confused and uncertain about your future.
Sometimes in our shock and upset at the news of a layoff, we forget to listen or to get all the information we need. If you can’t handle getting the information at the moment or feel overwhelmed, not worry. Employers generally provide the information in a letter form as well, and your HR personnel can answer any follow-up questions you may have via email or phone. Keep a tab on the classifieds to check out what kind of jobs are available for you. Yes, getting back into the market is going to be a little weird, but make use of all those networks that you have created to find out what employers are looking for.
Start building a larger network outside of your current employer. Seek professional help from your previous mentors and bosses for endorsements and recommendations. Do not forget that a layoff isn’t something personal often, the employers feel equally bad while letting you go, hence they wouldn’t mind you asking for help.
In the months to come, as unemployment may stretch out much longer than you had wanted or anticipated, you’ll benefit from remaining as optimistic as possible. A pessimistic attitude can easily snowball into full-blown depression when job hunting, especially in a down economy when hundreds of companies are laying off hundreds of thousands of workers. It’s a tough market to be looking for a job, of that there is no doubt. However, people who stand out in such markets usually can find a way to bounce back.
Although many people define their self-worth and value in this world by their job, it really isn’t everything and doesn’t have to be the defining feature of one’s life.
