Feeling Distressed About Workplace Layoffs?

With the onslaught of company layoff's recently, many of my past associates have expressed concerns about their situation at work. Although upper management tries to quell the rumors with reassurances of security, when a layoff occurs it's only natural to think about your own situation and wonder if you could be next on the list. So what are some steps you can take to help alleviate this fear in the workplace?

• Your only security is in your ability to perform. Recognize that companies, regardless of what they say, cannot offer job security. Companies will do whatever it takes to survive.
  
• Being in debt makes you a slave to your job and reduces the options you may have after being laid off. Make sure your personal finances are in order and that you could survive if your income stopped. If you've run up a lot of credit card debt start taking steps to eliminate your debts. A lot of fear comes from wondering how you are going to continue debt payments after being out of work.
• Dig out that resume and make sure it's updated with your recent accomplishments. Note the keyword here, accomplishments. Many people often write a boring resume that lists responsibilities. Make it action-packed! Instead of saying, "Responsible for organization operating budget," turn it around and say, "Managed organization budget and reduced operating expenditures by10%."
• Make continuous learning an integral part of your life. In the hustle and bustle of work, it's easy to ignore your own personal development. In these times you cannot afford that luxury! Whether it's improving your current skills or learning something new, make this a priority in your life. A favorite question I would ask when interviewing job candidates is, "what have you done to improve yourself since joining company X?" More often then not, the candidate would mumble a lame answer.
• Have a backup plan in place. Don't wait till the axe falls to start thinking about what you need to do. Go ahead and think about a worst-case scenario happening and what you would need to do. Do NOT dwell on this occurring. It's sensible to plan for different scenarios that may occur in your life. You don't want or need to spend all your brain cycles on these scenarios though.

Feel free to share some other ideas you may have to deal with fear in the workplace. Don't be shy! Your comment may just be one someone else needs to make a difference in their lives.

Layoff Survivors Having Post Traumatic Stress?

Guilty and Stressed, Layoff Survivors Suffer, Too, by JoNel Aleccia, discusses how surviving a corporate layoff affects those employees remaining behind. Common symptoms include:

• Increased stress because of picking up additional workload and wondering if you will be next.
• Decline in morale
• Lack of security and confidence that their job is safe

As a corporate manager I have had to lay people off and now, this is the second time that I have been laid off. Of the two, I would prefer to be the employee getting laid off.

When I'm the one getting laid off, I know my personal situation, my strengths, weaknesses, and have already formulated plans on how to recover. When I have to lay an employee off, I don't know how prepared they are for a life turning point of this magnitude. You can read their emotions very clearly in their eyes and often it's a gut wrenching experience for both of you.

Being laid off, I'm free to choose my next path and there is no feelings of survivors guilt, wondering if I'll be next.

Laid Off After 15 years

Well, it happened. Rumours had been flying about layoffs at Microsoft for months. It finally came to pass Thursday. I was one of 1400 people whose positions were eliminated. Still another 3600 to go over the next 18 months.

I came around the corner and stopped at my door suddenly as my manager was there sitting down with tears in her eyes. Across from her, sat the HR representative. My immediate thought was "oh, crap." I sat down and they proceeded to let me know my position was eliminated. The rest of the meeting went quickly with references to the severance package. Like many others in a similar situation, I couldn't help thinking about what am I going to do. Fifty four years old and earning a a very good salary as a manager of field escalation engineers.

My manager and HR urged me to go home and return the next day to go back over the severance package. I drove home slowly, chain smoking cigarettes. Mary, my wife, was out visiting our grandson and daughter in law. I chose not to tell her that morning as I wasn't sure of her reaction and she has a heart condition. On the way home my daughter called to see how I was doing. I gave her the news and suggested her family come over to the house that night for dinner. It was great to have the kids come over and "circle the wagons."

All in all, I know I'm going to be ok. I'm taking some time to decompress and give some serious thought as to what is next in my life.

How to Self Destruct as a Manager

There are many ways to sabotage your success as a manager. Many of these factors are under your control while other factors may be attributed to external forces. Listed below are ten ways (not inclusive, I’m sure there are many more ways to screw up) that can have negative consequences for you, your direct reports, and others that have to work with you.

1. Doesn't communicate


2. Ignores direct report development


3. Ignores their own development


4. Let's their hidden agenda drive their action


5. Ignores the business needs of the organization


6. Apathy


7. Plays favorites


8. Refuses to consider other perspectives


9. Treats people as commodities


10. Work-life balance is non-existent

These factors are not listed in any order. It may be worth your time to scan these and see which one(s) stand out in your mind. Feel free to reply with other ways you have seen managers impact their performance.

I'll treat each of these factors in more detail in upcoming posts. Thanks!