What to Do When You are Being Downsized
We are currently faced with the difficult hurdle of a failing economy with no rebound in sight. What do you do when you find out that the company you work for is downsizing? Here are some tips and thoughts to get you ahead of the game.
We all have been to the company meeting (probably within the last 6-8 months) where some important-looking guy in a tie who we’ve never seen before looks around the room and lets everyone know that the company has decided to take measures to stop company waste, increase efficiency, and do more with what few dollars are left floating about.
Your company may bring in a consultant to break the news to you, or maybe the President or CEO decides to join the meeting and lay it all out on the table. Either way, the results are the same. We (the employees) all begin stumbling around the office chattering about how we hope it isn’t us that gets the axe. Whining and nervous facial tics ensue and before long the entire work landscape is filled with blank faces; everyone too worried about the status of their current role to actually perform their current role.
Rather than getting caught up in this non-productive stream of self-doubt, worry and nastiness perhaps we should take a close look at what it is we’re all so worried about. Here are some questions you should ask yourself before you begin to panic. The answers may help you to ease the pain, pick a direction and come out ahead of the pack.
1. Is your job or career really worth fighting for?
Often times when a department is downsizing and suddenly there are only going to be 3 of us instead of 5, we begin combating our co-workers for the available slots. It becomes a cruel game of Musical Chairs and the ones left without a seat are shown the door and given a final check. But is all the stress and struggle really worth it?
If you wake up each morning and feel enlivened at the idea of going to your job, you feel real and true passion about what you’re doing and you can’t imagine doing anything else then by all means put up a FIGHT. But if you don’t… maybe it’s time that you give your desk to someone who might enjoy the work and use this opportunity to take a step towards a career that will spark your passion in addition to bringing you a paycheck.
2. Do you work well with those around you?
Chances are if you are going through downsizing you are going to be doing the work of two people while getting a single paycheck. This means that you are going to need to ask for more support from the other people in your department in order to meet deadlines, and likewise will be asked to partner with them when they have a big project. This means you will need to communicate more, complain less and really work well as a group.
Loved this story Denise. What you wrote about someone loosing focus about why they are really there, was a good one. Because, we all do it every now and then, when we are working at our job(s), that we lose sight of what we really wanted to get out of the job and for our own personal goals.
Keep up the great stories kid!
Very informative and insightful article. Makes you think.
Another great article, Denise. You’ve made some excellent points here and provided a little light at the end of the tunnel. You’ve put a positive spin on what could be a frightening situation. Getting down-sized could be a blessing in disguise.
An excellent article with lots of helpful tips.
Monica
Very nice. Thanks 4 sharing
Great advice here. Always be true about where you put your time and energy! Thank u for this
Very informative, with a positive approach to what is one of the worst periods which can happen in a person’s life. Good one!
This is a terrible time for workers and it isn’t going to get any better soon. A good support group and reminders like your article help us to know that good things come when you least expect them, and we need to leap at the chance to do something that is betters for us then what we have been doing for the last 25 or 30 years. If you have been layed off recently, REST WITH THE BEST! You will be too busy to enjoy life again soon.
Good article with some sound advice and several things to ponder. Being a team player and flexable in areas other than your particular department is always taken in to consideration when it comes to downsizing. Nicely done.
Very good article – very informative which is important at times like these. Thanks for sharing!
nice informative article.
Indeed, all these troubles will have an end!
Recession or no recession, employees should always think about these important reminders.
Thanks for sharing DK!
Good advice Denise, an essential read