How to Support a Loved One Who Has Been Laid Off

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By eHow Contributing Writer

Article Rating: (11 Ratings)

Losing a job is painful for everyone involved. It can be hard to support a loved one through the experience when you're upset yourself, but here are some tips for helping someone close to you cope.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

Anger-management Counseling
Stress Management Counseling
Stress Relief Products
Flower Bouquets

Step 1

Understand that your loved one will grieve over the job loss like any other, and is likely to progress through similar stages of denial, anger, sadness and ultimately, acceptance. Until she gets to acceptance, there is little you can do beyond just being there.
Step 2

Spread the word about your loved one's job loss tactfully among close family and friends. Your loved one may be reluctant or unsure how to do this, but it's important for others to know so they can provide valuable help and support.
Step 3

Encourage your loved one to stay involved with family and friends, professional associations, hobbies, etc. Don't let her embarrassment about the layoff lead to unhealthy isolation.
Step 4

Work with your loved one to get whatever she is entitled to from her former employer, such as severance pay, unused vacation pay, expense reimbursement, and so forth. Make sure she meets any deadlines for continuing health insurance coverage and/or rolling over retirement monies.
Step 5

Offer to help with the job search - and then back off. You may be understandably concerned about family finances, but nagging and pressuring someone who likely is already pressuring herself far more is unproductive, at best.
Step 6

Be alert for signs of depression if your loved one's unemployment persists beyond a month or two. Eating, drinking or sleeping too much or too little, along with a consistently depressed mood, may be signs she needs more help than you can provide.