From the article: In Danger of Getting Fired or Laid Off?
In the attached article, I discussed actions to take while you are still employed when you think your employment is in danger of termination. Do you have strategies to share about how to keep your job in the face of potential employment termination? In these economic times, keeping your job is the priority. Share your tips for keeping your job. See More Reader Responses. Share Your Tips
Update Your Resume Annually...
- I worked for a Gov't contractor so we were required to update our resumes annually. This has saved me from long bouts of unemployment many times given Federal contractor hiring trends. Also, keep an updated copy of your resume on job boards (Monster) even if you're not looking and make slight changes to them every 3 months so your resume appears as if it is a new resume entry instead of an aging posting. Also, every quarter assess your skills, training, and accomplishments. This way not only do you have an accurate account of what you did for your performance review, but you have great info to add to your resume when you rewrite it each year. This is also a great benefit when you get ready to interview for a new position because you already have accomplishments (relevant and recent) to highlight. Lastly keep all email addresses and phone numbers/names from recruiters that contact you through Monster. You may not be looking now but you'll need them later if you do get laid off.
- —Guest Ana
Love your Job not Company
- Always keep this in mind: "Love your Job , not your Company". This means you should always keep options open in your hand and the moment you smell something fishy, "switchover." Do not wait...
- —Guest Uday Deshmukh
Shock
- My boss told me they are about to fire me. I was shocked and all my colleagues were shocked as I was always regarded as one of the best. Next day I told my boss I am not leaving if they don't pay me for 3 months ahead, according to the law. Probably he thought it will be too much and didn't ever tell me again to leave. Though now I am thinking about quitting myself for good.
- —Guest Svitlana
What to do before you are laid off/fired
- Always have a plan. No one should work 9-5, go home and that's it. When you complete your 9-5, work on that hobby that could lead to income. Work on that plan to start your own business. Work on that book you always wanted to write, the college course you would love to teach, a community activity that allows you to meet people. Just like that tax company-you must have people. Most people land the job because of who they know-not what they know-so network, have contacts. When you see yourself or your company in danger, seek you new position before you lose the old one. Use the time to start your own business venture or to turn your hobby into full time employment. Be creative, think outside the box, offer something that you know is needed. Most important of all believe in yourself, your faith and your values, and know that you can and will make a way where there is no way. Keep your head up!
- —mzwoods
Weathering the Storm
- Seeing is believing and it's always tough to see the real hardworking underpaid ones go. It seems that way all over.
- —Guest Candy
Feedback for Readers
- I took your words to heart and rewrote a portion of the article to more completely describe what I meant by taking work home. Thanks for the feedback. Susan
- —SusanHumanResources
Be careful what you send home....
- One piece of advice given above is to send home things you're working on, e.g. an employee manual or purchase justification. Be aware that this is formally the company's property (after all, they paid for it to be done). Depending on what's in it and how you leave, using it later or even just sending it off-site might result in you getting sued for breach of contract. Workers who deal with intellectual property, e.g. patents, industrial processes, etc., need to be VERY careful how they conduct themselves with this sort of info. It should be obvious, but....
- —Guest Driftwood
Try not to let it get you down
- I could tell 8 months into my new position that my department's time was limited. I am not sure why they brought me on so near the end but I still performed my very best. After my boss was suddenly let go for unclear reasons, I had to take over his duties as well as my own. I knew my time was coming soon although management never said a word. This stretched out for over 6 months so I would go to work thinking it was my last. I had my office cleaned and a box in the corner for when that final day came. Those were the worst 6 months in my career both what it did to me emotionally and the physical affects. When the day finally came that they laid me off, they wanted until after 6:00pm to do it. In short, if you can get out before the day comes do so. If, like me, you are unable to do so, do your best until the day comes and remember that it is not your fault. In my case, over 120 people were laid off in the period of a few short months. Look forward rather than always thinking back.
- —Guest Alex M
Jump Before You Are Pushed!
- An obvious thing to do is to apply for new jobs as soon as the signs are there. The ideal situation is to be given a severance package the day after your new job offer is confirmed. But even if you cannot achieve this perfect timing, getting out before the rush is always a good idea.
- —Guest Simon
cust serv rep
- I actually worked at a slower pace. Look--when you "know" it's about to end, there's nothing you can do but try and stick it to them as they are going to eventually stick you. That's life-oh well.
- —Guest sandi s
Do what others would
- Submit to the eventual and til it strikes keep working as though nothing happened. And never squeal inbetween. P J Naidu
- —Guest PJ Naidu
Kronkite
- I was involved with starting a business when it became apparent to me that my lay off time was approaching. The relationship between myself and manager had become nastier and my work partner and I spoke about the time-frame. I missed my layoff date by 3 days. This is a fire at will state (NYS) and hire at will state. Only 2 protections exist: A. discrimination B. Whistle Blowing (Sarbanes Oxley). Also retaliation for either offence. I had complained about a manager's sexual misconduct a few years ago. From this point on the treatment got worse. I have to admit, I should have just left but I stayed while things got worse. When I checked my legal prospects I gave up quickly. Unless I had $60,000 I could not get a lawyer to represent me and having the EEOC rep me was almost a certain impossibility during these times. I took my 3 months severance and I am keeping my mouth shut for now. Not unless you have lots of money. K.
- —Guest kronkite
Reality
- The reality is that the business will always have their best needs at hand, not yours.
- —Guest Ken W
Watch out for this!
- All great advice, except this: "Finally, send work you may need in the future to your home email address." This work may be company-owned intellectual property and/or trade secrets, and the emails will leave an electronic trail that could get you in major legal hot water. Consult an attorney before emailing yourself "your work" or taking it otherwise (e.g. on a thumb drive).
- —Guest George Lenard
Hard work isn't always rewarded
- Thanks for the realistic article. At one job I had, the writing was on the wall but I refused to read it. I thought I could impress my boss by working 12 hour days and volunteering for everything. Other employees were desperately trying the same approach and we did a heroic amount of work in a short time -- basically, we prepared the company for its transition to a much smaller enterprise. In the end, all but a handful of people were laid off. Wisdom in hindsight? Don't always assume that your best efforts are enough and don't blame yourself if they aren't.
- —Guest SusanH
