Layoff Tips??

dr.mel_PT

dr.mel_PT

Cathlete
So, I'm pretty convinced my time at my company is up. This morning, I came in to an email from my boss telling me I need to train a coworker on the ins and outs of EVERYTHING my job entails. She also added this needs to be done by next week. Conveniently, I leave for vacation on July 13 so my guess is I will be let go next Thurs or Fri.

I am a marketing analyst so a big factor is putting together data for new business pitches. My boss claims that training this girl is just "in case" they get a flux of proposals, this way we can work on them simultaneously. I call BS because I have not seen a new business pitch come my way for MONTHS and in my tenure at the company, I have never been bombarded with more than I can handle at one time. Their other excuse was they need someone as a counterpart in case I'm out. Really? Because this hasn't been an issue in the past 2 years! Another convenience: the girl I'm training makes $15K less than me.

Needless to say, I'm freaking out right now, worried if I will have a job by the end of the month. Any advice/tips you can share to help cope will be greatly appreciated!! Also, what should I gather from my current employer if the lay off comes? I already emailed my list of business contacts to my personal email, I plan on asking for my employee file...anything else?
 
Oh Melissa, . . . I don't really have any advice for you. I think it sucks big time and I'm sorry that you have to go through this type of stress right before a vacation. I guess if it happens there is not much you can do about it other than do what you are doing now which is looking. You don't know for sure if that is what they plan on doing, . . .but I don't blame you for feeling concerned. It seems like a lot of companies are looking for the cheaper help and showing no loyalties to employees who have been loyal to them. I know it sounds impossible but try to take it a day at a time, . . do your job and continue to do it well. I never think it is a good idea to leave a job any job on bad terms. Things always end up working themselves out in the end. I'm sending you hugs and good vibes!
 
I kind of know how you feel.

Get several people to write recommendation letters for you and to be references for you. I invested two years into a business and in the last six months, that entire industry has folded. Luckily, I was able to get a few references together. That can make all the difference when searching for a job. Also, put together some projects of your own to use as examples of your work, a portfolio. Keep current with all of your business contacts and network like crazy. Also, try to stay sane. Nobody wants to hire someone that is nervous or scared. I know thats not easy to do sometimes, but I'm guessing that if you can stare down a Cathe workout, you have that in you already.

Be extremely conservative with all of your money right now, you may need it to last a while. If there is anything you can be more frugal about, do it. Such as making your own lunches, coffee, and other beverages (if you don't already.) Cancel any vacations or other non-essentials that are not already paid for. Buy all your essentials on sale if you can.

I know that you probably already know all of that stuff, its just that when its you, sometimes its good to have a little reminder. One more thing, write down what kind of job you want, how much you want to make, and where you want to be. Create an imaginary vision of your dream life in your head. This can help you to stay focused even if you need to take some temporary job in the interim. ( I'm doing some temporary work myself.)

I hope that helps!
 
Leave on good terms, but check up on dismissal laws

meliffy18: I feel for your predicament.
-- try to leave on good terms. I was dismissed many years ago for helping to unionize the secretaries, and left on bad terms, much to my disappoinment;
-- check up on dismissal laws. In many places, it is illegal to fire someone, and hire someone at a lower salary, doing the same work (this tip contradicts the one above, though);
-- keep a long list of business contacts from your work, and don't be shy to check up with them for job leads, since studies show that finding a job strongly depends on inside tips and mutual contacts;
-- also read up on the best methods of finding a job, on the internet;
-- and I agree with another poster on this thread, on her suggestions to save money, and doing part time or temporary work during your job hunt.

Also, keep positive throughout the job hunt. Keep a diary of all things you are doing during the job hunt to find work, and treat all the things that you do as positive developments. The recession is difficult in NYC, but most people think the economy is starting to improve, and there will be new job creation in the months and years ahead.
-- David
 
Melissa,

Since the volume of work coming your way is low because of the recession, is there anything else you can volunteer to take over?

In a recession companies see how then can combine jobs so that headcount is minimized.

Whether you are really on the chopping block or not, you can make a proactive presentation to your boss about how you could take on more.

There are two ways to do this. One is to ask an open ended question and put the ball in the employer's court. Just express that you are willing and eager to take on new duties. The other is to make a specific proposal of other work you can handle.

When letting people go a company also consider how much energy a person brings, how creative / productive a person is. It is usually not just person x costs more than person y in salary. The thing is, although people do have enthusiasm and creativity within them, a lot of people just dont consider that they can play a role in expanding their own job description. Organizations are not very good at sending out the message that proactiveness is welcome and somehow send the opposite signal that employees should perform within the boundary assigned.

You have some very good suggestions so far too and they can all work together - they arent mutually exclusive.
 
Have you thought about going to your boss and confronting him with what you are thinking?? I would explain just like you told us and I bet you will get your answer real quick just by his facial reaction. That is what I would do....but I'm not one to keep my mouth shut when it comes to things like this...:eek: (good & bad)
Therese
 
looking good said:
Have you thought about going to your boss and confronting him with what you are thinking?? I would explain just like you told us and I bet you will get your answer real quick just by his facial reaction. That is what I would do....but I'm not one to keep my mouth shut when it comes to things like this...:eek: (good & bad)
Therese
Click to expand...

That's kind of what I was thinking . .

I would think you could not enjoy your vacation time with an perceived ax looming over your head. Why not try to get to the bottom of it before vacation.

Just my two cents.
 
Melissa,

You've received a lot of good advice.

In your position, I would talk to my manager and share my concerns. Depending on how it goes, try to incorporate Vee's suggestions -- show your willingness to take on new projects and explores ways in which to help the company. It could make a difference in how you are perceived.

These are difficult times in the job market. Regardless of what happens, I find that it helps to focus on those things you can influence and/or control. I try not to worry (too much) about things outside of my control -- it creates stress.

Best of luck.
Mcihelle
 
I agree, def. have a heart to heart w/your boss. It's the fair thing for both of you.

When it comes to job hunting, 3 things:

1) network
2) network
3) network

Find a professional association that's related to your field, join & attend their functions. Or join your local rotary club, chamber of commerce or political committee of your choice. I can tell you when I finished grad school it took me 2 years to find a job--I got it 2 weeks after joining my local democratic committee. Connections are critical.
 
I agree with Laura. I've been told my job is ending at the end of August -- in fact all of our HR Dept is being relocated to another country :eek: As an HR professional, and a soon-to-be laid off employee, networking is crucial in finding other opportunities. Good luck!
 
Thanks for all the advice!! Laura, I read the same thing when I was researching yesterday about networking and joining a group. Do you know how I can go about finding one in my area?

So I asked my boss what the deal was and of course she said nothing was happening right now. I figured she would say that; I don't really expect her to tell me the 100% truth as her job would probably be on the line. I do work PT as a promotions girl for a liquor distributor and they respect me there; I told my boss what was going on and he said he might be able to get me a position in marketing or management at the agency or with the distributor; they may even be opening an office in Westchester county which is where I live so that is a possibility. I am also studying to take my GMAT to get into grad school, which I will probably pursue if I get laid off.

It just sucks that this is how my company is handling it: by being shady about it. But it is what it is, and honestly, I've seen things going on around that place and hear how disrespectful people are to each other, so maybe getting laid off from there is a blessing in disguise.
 
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