Layoffs can feel deeply personal. Maybe you saw it coming, maybe you didn't. Regardless of the sudden life change, it is always deeply personal.
As a company who specializes in Stress Management for the Workplace, we have lead people through many workshops around this very topic. Specifically for those in the workplace who kept their job while others were let go. There's an element of "survivors" guilt mixed with gratitude for being safe. It can be an uncomfortable place to be, but the reminder is you can hold space for both. You can both be grateful for not being impacted as well as grieve for your collegues who were let go. The hard part on those left behind is that they are most likely absorbing others workloads without absorbing their pay. It is a hard time for everyone.
Twice now my family has been impacted by layoffs. So I speak from personal and professional expereince...experiencing job loss will always feel deeply personal. I was let go during the pandemic, and now most recently my husbands job was impacted by layoffs and downsizing. In a strange twist of fate, both times we have been impacted has also been while I was pregnant. To say timing isn't ideal is the understatement of the century.
Even with all the tools I teach and know and ways to manage stress I found myself immediatly jumping into crisis mode. Leading with FEAR despite the fact that I teach embracing fear and finding calm during the choas. This reaffirms that it is a natural human response. My stress repsonse is the CHALLENGE RESPONSE. Which means I have a tendancy to jump into action and fully embrace change is happening and go into problem solving mode...this can be a good thing. However, what I realized I was doing was not giving myself a moment to feel. To grieve the loss of temporary stability, to allow my husband the time and space to grieve the loss, to allow our family to sit and refelct for a moment what does our new lives look like? I brought our daughter to the park middle of the week and watched her play. This was the point where I let all the feelings in and finally let go of the long breath I had been holding. I cried. I felt. Watching her play and find pure enjoyment and contentment on that playground was just the reminder I needed to slow down for a minute and remeber to "practice what you preach", I needed that moment to slow down to be able to speed up. I needed the moment to settle into stillness and being fully present in that moment with her. Taking these moments allow us the space to hear ourselves think and gain much needed clairty and widsom to move forward.
I saw a great quote the other day that I will paraphase "What if we embraced changed from the percepctive of embracing new and exciting things on the horizon, instead of leading with fear".
This is the mindset shift reminder that was needed. A reminder again that just because someone teaches on a topic doesn't make them immune to lifes expriences and emotions. If anything this feels like another teaching moment to me that life has offered and refelcted.
Stress is inevitable, but its how we manage it that makes all the difference.
We are in a season of the unknown and its so easy to lead with fear instead of riding the waves of fear and being excited for what opportunites are to come. This isn't spoke with naitivity. This is spoken with real life looking me right in the face. This is spoken while facing real life scnearios like the fact my husband was the insurance carrier for our family and now it is set to expire the same week that the baby is due. That he was the primary breadwinner while I still grow this company. This is real life. Medications are still needed, doctors appointments required, bills to pay. I told you, layoffs will always feel deeply personal...because to you they are.
The only path forward is through.
On the company side...it is never an easy decision to get to the point of needing to make layoffs. There are many facors as to why a company would need to come this point. The deciding factor of who stays and who goes isn't always as linear as it may seem...sometimes it is. The hard truth is that if the company doesn't make the decions they need to make, there is a good chance there will be no company at all. That has the potential to impact even more people.
When people think layoffs they usually think large corporations and all the stigma that comes with them but it is also mid and small businesses that are required to make these decisions at times.
Here are a few things to keep in mind as you go through your career:
Always keep Resume updated
Keep files and records of your successs and accolades from client, upper management etc. This way if you do need to pull references or positive comments you have them.
Savings and Living expenses - this is something easily put off but evaluate what your living expenses are and work towards saving the three+ months.
Network Network Network - Networking is the best way to promote the company you are with but also helps you know people at other companies and everything is relationship based.
Remember that your work is NOT your full identity. Don't allow it to consume you that you are left emotionally lost without it. Find fullfilment outside of work.
Review your benefits and understand your compensations fully.
If you have been impacted by a layoff:
Take a deep breath. Give yourself space to experience everything you are feeling. Perhaps you are feeling grief, sadness, joy, happiness, freedom, anger, frustration, pissed off, mixed emotions - all feelings are valid.
Ask for Letters of Recomendations from the appropriate personal.
Know that you can potentially negotaite offerings if any are offered.
Evaluate living expenses and budget.
Swallow that pride and leverage your network and let people know you are open for work.
Take the time to evalaute your life goals and interest to see what you really want to do next.
Look at your insurance benefits and make steps sooner rather then later to make sure nothing lapses.
Change happens and often at the most unexpected and inconvenient times. Sometimes this is the opportunity to grow and explore options outside of your comfort zone!
Have you ever been impacted by a lay off?
Yes
No
Stay Mindful,
Rosa
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