Some of us have been there. You receive a cryptic message from your manager telling you to hop on a quick call. Already anxious, you hop on the Zoom and see your manager and another foreboding familiar face: HR. Your nervous system spikes and you know what is about to happen. Before you even have time for your emotions to catch up to your current reality, you have been unfortunately laid off.
Constantly seeing current or former colleagues post their lay-off status on LinkedIn has become the new normal. More than 203,000 employees in the tech space have been laid off in 2024 alone. According to Vox, 40% of Americans will be terminated or laid off at least once in their lifetime. The fear of being suddenly let go due to budget cuts, mergers, or restructuring make it difficult for employees to feel secure in their roles. When employees feel that no matter how well they may be performing that the other shoe can still drop, their morale plummets as well. Getting laid off can be overwhelming, but also a blessing to find a more fulfilling opportunity. Below are some tips to staying afloat if you have gotten laid off or if you survive a layoff at your organization.
Laid off:
–Don’t panic! It’s jarring and upsetting to lose your job but focus on the most important aspects in your life like family, friends and health. Jobs are important, but they are not everything, and you will find a new opportunity.
–Don’t start looking immediately. Take at least the day to process before looking at new roles. Frantically updating your resume and messaging recruiters will only continue to spike your nervous system. Stay calm and take the rest of the day to focus on your mental well-being and connecting with your co-workers. The job market will still be there tomorrow, start then with a clear mind.
–Reach out to your colleagues and management. Layoffs are highly emotional, and your co-workers will be sad to see you go. Reach out to them for recommendations on LinkedIn, and to see who in their network may be hiring. Stay connected and support other laid off colleagues who know exactly what you are going through.
–Take time for yourself. Stress is an unavoidable part of life, but it is important to manage it while going through a huge, unprecedented change. Make time for your friends, hobbies, family, and exercise during this time. Make an appointment with a metal health professional or go on a walk with a friend. Cuddle with your pet or go to a group fitness class to work off some angst. It’s important to engage in self-care, and do not feel guilty about it.
-Expand your horizons. After a layoff, the immediate instinct may be to work in the same industry or find the exact same role elsewhere. However, this may be a good time to tap into some old interests and skills to find a new, exciting, and better fit. Ask your employer if they have an outplacement program to find support and redirection during your transition. Make a list of what you want and will not accept in your next role and organization, it might be something completely different!
-Screw the stigma! Getting laid off should not be embarrassing or discouraging. As mentioned, 40% of employees in the U.S will get laid off at least once in their careers. It’s an unfortunate part of the workplace, but you will survive and move onto better opportunities. Feel proud of your contributions to your former employer and look to the future with strength and optimism.
Survived the layoff:
-Reach out to those affected. There is nothing worse than getting laid off and feeling like your coworkers do not care or feel uncomfortable around you. There is nothing “right” to say, but offering support and kind words will be greatly appreciated. As always, keep in mind company policies when it comes to information sharing.
–Dig into your network. Now is a great time to reach out to your network to see who is hiring or may be hiring soon if you feel uneasy after the news. Send introduction emails to your laid off colleagues and help make some connections!
–Write a LinkedIn recommendation and serve as a reference. If appropriate, write up a glowing recommendation on LinkedIn for your colleagues. Offer to be a reference to your subordinates or peers who were laid off as they start their new job search.
–Take time to process. Layoffs are intense for everyone at an organization, even if you do not lose your job. Focus on self-care as well and avoid succumbing to survivor’s guilt. Layoffs most of the time are completely out of your control, so manage what you can.
-Don’t be afraid to re-evaluate. If your organization conducted a layoff in a toxic or unethical way, you should evaluate if this is right for you. If your workload unfairly increases after becoming a skeleton crew, you do not have to accept it. You can also find a new organization who fits your career goals and values. Adapt to changes and reassess if your organization is somewhere you want to stay.
With a constantly shifting and evolving job market, layoffs are here to stay for the foreseeable future. Take the time to focus on yourself and do not jump into another role too quickly before properly vetting it. Uplift employees who have been laid off and offer reassurance. Navigate change with an open mind and clear vision of your next venture.
Looking for a new role or need direction on an organizational restructure? Compass is here to guide the way. Contact us at info@wearecompass.com
