Layoffs are bad enough, but laying off people before the holidays is in my opinion "cruel." As someone who has been laid off, I totally understand the emotions that follow the announcement that your position is being eliminated. The fear, embarrassment, anger, resentment and worry are all emotions I experienced. One of the clients that my company works with just laid off about 10% of its workforce. I work closely with one of the people on the lay off list. Their last day is the end of the month, but to get the news before the holidays is devastating. What I do not understand is why this company couldn't wait until after the holidays to make the announcement. Will it make that much of a difference if the announcement was now versus early January? It goes to show you how Corporate America treats its workers.
Tip of the day: For people who have been laid off recently, I have one main bit of advice, your attitude through this difficult time will make a huge difference. I made the mistake of feeling depressed, angry and upset when I was laid off 8 years ago. It took me over a year to find a job. I now know that if I had a more positive attitude, I would have found a job alot sooner. If you visualize negativity and rejection, that is what will be drawn to you. So, please remain positive during this time. I know that it is hard to say, but just remember that growth comes after a storm. Also, what goes down has to go back up.
For people who know someone that has been laid off, I want to say two things:
1. Offer only positive support. Do not go to them with the same gloom and doom that is in the media that will only increase their anxiety.
2. Lastly, there is a difference between being fired and being laid off. Being laid off is bad enough, but for people to keep using the terms fired and laid off interchangeably is rather irritating. Being laid off means the company screwed up and did not know how to manage properly, but the employee pays the price. Even good performers get laid off. I won awards at my previous company for my work and I was still laid off. Everytime I hear people say that someone, who was laid off, was fired, I cringe and correct them. So, people stop saying your friend or family member was fired, they were laid off, please get it right!
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