How to Cope With Downsizing at Work

Many companies often face the tough decision to cut jobs, reduce salaries and downsize. It is impossible to predict who will be affected. It is important to realize that being laid off is a possibility for just about anyone. However, you don't have to sit by and simply wait to get laid off. Below are some tips that may increase your value to your company and help you survive downsizing at work.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

1. Be sure that you either help the company to save money or make money. Companies are bottom line fixated. To be a valuable employee, you must be able to show that you make the company money or you save the company money. You need to be able to discuss which category you fall into. Write down examples of ways that you save or generate money for your company. Discuss these points with your supervisor at your next evaluation.

2. Become invaluable to your company. Find the projects that are high priority within your company. Look for ways to become involved with these projects. Ask your manager to transfer you to one of the groups working on these critical assignments. You can even consider volunteering to take on extra duties that support these projects. You will be seen as someone who goes the extra mile.

3. Think before accepting that promotion. In this economy, is it better to be a producer or a manager? You may be better off staying where you are as new managers are among the first to be laid off when a company downsizes.

4. Contact people in your job network. It is better to do this now as opposed to after you have been laid off. Reconnect with people and weed out irrelevant contacts. Attend workshops and conferences to stay educated in your industry and to make new contacts.

5. Stay educated. Attend classes and look for continuing education opportunities. Be sure that your supervisor is aware of the effort that you are making. You can even offer to facilitate an employee training based on what you have learned in your latest class or workshop.

Tips & Warnings

• Keep your resume updated. If you do happen to get laid off, you will need an updated resume. Focus on the contributions that you made to your last company and how you will be able to benefit your next employer.
• If you do get laid off or demoted due to downsizing, don't ignore your feelings. It is OK to feel sad, angry or anxious.
• If you do get laid off, don't pretend that everything is fine. It is important to deal with negative emotions that the downsizing has caused.
• Although you must deal with these emotions in a positive way, be aware that most business have little regard for emotions. Often, expressing emotions in the workplace is considered to be inappropriate.

Resources

• Updating your resume
• Job networking tips

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