When it comes to layoffs, it’s a day that no employee wants to experience: the day when you receive the news that your job will no longer be available. Not only is the news itself frightening, but there are many things to consider – what do you do next, how do you tell your family, and how will you pay your bills? It’s easy to feel overwhelmed and scared during a layoff, but understanding what to expect and how to prepare is the key to overcoming the challenge.
In this blog post, we’ll discuss how to survive the day of a layoff and what to do at work in order to make the transition smoother. Layoffs can happen suddenly and without warning. Most of the time, employees have no idea what is going to happen until the moment it does. Suddenly, you may find yourself stripped of security and confronted with uncertainty. However, this doesn’t mean you have to just accept the situation.
There are steps you can take:
- Don’t panic. Breathe. Do whatever you need to do to calm down … for just right now. You can freak out later … but right now, you need to keep your head on straight and walk out as nicely as possible.
- Don’t sign any paperwork until you can go home, sleep & read it with a fresh set of eyes. You may want to review with a friend or even an employment attorney. Once you sign the papers, you have agreed to the terms. So, before you sign, make sure you have asked all your questions and negotiated everything you can on your own behalf.
- Ask when you will get your final paycheck. Some states require companies to pay out the final paycheck the same day they let you go. Others do not.
- If you are feeling shocked, emotional, or angry right after you get the news, ask to set an appointment to discuss the terms of departure on the next day. Just because they want to sit down and review the paperwork with you right away does not mean you have to do it then. Ask to take whatever papers they have for you home with you, and then just leave.
- Even though it can be difficult, RESIST THE URGE to get angry or emotional or otherwise
make a scene. Unfortunately, you will make yourself look bad … and make your own
situation worse. Take a deep breath and walk away if you feel yourself about to explode.
- DO NOT GO ON SOCIAL MEDIA and bark about your former boss or former employer …
even if they were unprofessional and handled the termination poorly. Again, the sad
truth is that you will hurt yourself more than you will hurt them in the long run. Barking
online (Glassdoor, Facebook, etc.) can hurt your chances of being hired by someone else.
Everything you do online is public. If you’re nasty online, it will not only hurt your
chances of getting a new job, but it will also make it tough for you to maintain
friendships and professional relationships with the former coworkers you really like and
respect.
- Sleep on it, then review the termination packet and write down questions as you think of them
Sometimes the biggest act of courage is a small one.
Lauren Raffo
