Apr 14,2009 How To Cope With A Co-Worker Being Laid Off
It seems like everywhere you turn people are getting laid off. It doesn’t look like we’re able to create jobs quick enough to put a plug in the leaky bucket, and employees keep leaking out one by one. Some of these employees might be very close co-workers of yours. There may come a day when you learn that your co-worker has been laid off and is turning to you for help. Not only is it difficult to cope with an uncomfortable situation such as providing support for your friend, but it can also be uncomfortable because you might be worrying about your potential situation within the company.
First thing’s first. How do you provide support for someone who’s been recently laid off? It seems like you never can find the right words to provide comfort. You don’t want to say “I’ll probably be laid off soon too” or “You’re better off anyway…the company’s going down the drain.” None of these attitudes are productive and will ultimately fester negative thoughts in either your head or theirs. Instead, be honest and provide sympathy. Let them know that you’re there for them to talk to, but don’t encourage defeatist or vengeful behavior. Simply saying “I’m sorry” and listening while they vent might be all they really need.
Now let’s move on to taking care of yourself. Good friends getting laid off at work can be discouraging for a number of reasons. One reason might be that you ultimately begin to wonder if you’re next or how long it will be before you get laid off as well. Another might be that your work environment doesn’t seem to be as fun as it used to be, because you’ve lost a close confidant. So how do we help both yourself and your friend?
You can both benefit from approaching your work with an empowerment mindset. What does this mean? If you consider the fact that you hold your own destiny in your hands, given the right tools and frame of mind, then you’re embracing an empowerment mindset. Learn how to help yourself and prevent situations like this from occurring. Both you and your friend can benefit from alternative means of obtaining residual income or financial freedom by exploring different job niches.
Freelance jobs are a great way to obtain financial freedom or residual income. You are your own boss. And “freelance” doesn’t necessarily mean the same thing it did 10 years ago. There are people who consider themselves freelance life insurance agents, freelance writers, or freelance web developers. There’s a niche for everyone. You might even look into MLM’s as an alternative job. The point is that you always have your hand in another honey jar. This prevents the “lay off” from being so devastating. If you already had a job alternative and passive income in your household, then you are not so freaked out about how the bills are going to get paid. Then, ultimately, you could continue with your other ventures, but at a full-time pace instead.
Another way to empower yourself is to always look to expand your mind. No matter how comfortable you are in your current job, you should always be empowering yourself by continuing to educate yourself. If you continually educate yourself, you are less likely to be laid off because you now have inherent value that your employers will see. Not to mention the fact that if you do happen to get laid off, you will be much more “hirable” if you show that you’re up to date with the latest techniques and trends.
Both you and your friend can take that “lay off” scare and turn it around to benefit yourselves. Instead of letting the fear consume you, let it drive you. Use that fear to stimulate yourself to take continued education classes, volunteer in an industry you’ve always wanted to work in, or dive into alternative jobs that you never thought you’d take advantage of.
