Tips for the Layoff Survivor
Survivor Guilt Common after a Layoff
The company that you worked for just laid off 100 employees, five of which came from your department, and now you find yourself one of the last ones standing, what do you? Jennifer Cowland, Branch Manager for OfficeTeam in Vancouver, offers some tips on how to keep your head above water.
"You find that those left behind suffer from survivor's guilt," said Cowland in a telephone interview. "[It's] a 'Why them, not me?' and from that [leads to a] little bit of fear and uncertainty where they might stand."
Signs of Survivor Guilt
Cowland added that survivor's guilt can manifest itself in a number of ways. The first, she said, is an emotional response such as anger or insecurity. "These are natural emotions to feel. It's important, from a manager's perspective that it's okay for their employees to feel this way."
If employees are not allowed to express their emotions after surviving a layoff, it can manifest into something negative, Cowland said. For example, a direct reaction to layoffs would be increase workloads.
Staying in Touch With Those that Have Left
"It's okay to stay in touch with those that have been laid off," said Cowland. She added that it's important to understand that layoffs are taking place due to bottom line revenue and not due to performance or the employee doing anything wrong.
If you were close to the employee, you can offer your professional network to them to see if there is anything you can do to help them get back on their feet again.
How to Manage Those Left Behind
"Managers need to ensure their door is open," advised Cowland. "Reach out to their employees if they are angry, concerned or insecure. If they don't, their employees will release their feelings in non-productive ways or situations."
To keep employee morale and productivity high after a downsizing, Cowland suggested that managers reach out to staffing firms that would help keep morale and work flows consistent during workload peaks especially if a lot of full-time/permanent staff were let go and there is no available skill sets in the organization.
Also imperative for morale is recognition either a thank you or a group e-mail that highlight those that have made a difference like increasing the company's bottom line or efficiency.
Make Yourself Visible
If you survive a layoff, there is a certain level of uncertainty but Cowland recommended that those working in an organization where there are layoffs or will be layoffs should be prepared as possible.
"Make yourself indispensable by identifying a skill that is important within your organization that helps increase productivity or profitability and try and make that skill one of your strengths," she added.
By doing that you will make yourself visible within your organization and earn a reputation of being a subject matter expert or the go to person that will increase your value and increase your chances of surviving, noted Cowland.
As well, Cowland recommended that you always ensure that you have a strong and connected professional network and if you should become a victim of a layoff, you can rely on that pool of individuals to help you get back to work.
Overall, Cowland said that for layoff survivors, it is important to stay positive and communicate with the boss and look for opportunities to increase your value through new skills to increase your visibility.
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