Signs That You Will Be Laid Off From Your Job
Job security seems to be a thing of the past, as companies of all sizes are downsizing, right-sizing, and laying off employees the moment their net earnings fall below expectations. Employees may miss the signals that their jobs are in jeopardy, and consequently, be ill-prepared for the day they receive a pink slip. The signs that you're about to be laid off are usually there -- you just need to know how to recognize them.
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Performance Reviews
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If your last performance review was less than stellar, you may be a candidate for the unemployment line. That doesn't mean that in a company-wide layoff, good employees won't lose their jobs -- but companies are more likely to keep their best employees onboard as they restructure their operation.
Work Responsibilities
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A change in your work responsibilities can be a good thing, especially if your skills are expanded and your position within the company enhanced. However, not having enough work, being assigned to a special project, or getting the cold shoulder from your boss may be a sign of a pending layoff, advises The Wall Street Journal.
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Mergers and Acquisitions
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Companies that have recently been acquired, or merged to form a new business, may look to restructure by letting some employees go. For example, if both operations have a customer service department, then some workers may be released as the departments are merged. You're vulnerable whenever there are more people to do your job than are strictly needed.
Your Advocate
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If your supervisor has left the company, moved to another department, or been reassigned, that could spell trouble for you. Your boss may have been your best advocate, the person who knew you best and understood your talents. You may be an unknown quantity to your new boss, and therefore a candidate for a layoff.
Cost Cutting
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If your company announces a variety of cost-cutting measures beyond salary and hiring freezes, that can be a sign that the business is in trouble. Several cost-cutting measures, put into place at once, can "signal the start of a very bad situation," writes Dr. Randall S. Hansen of Quintessential Careers. If consultants are brought in to help restructure the company, that almost always leads to layoffs, adds Hansen.
Dying Industry
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If you work in an industry that's past its prime, you can expect that layoffs will be forthcoming. For example, newspaper reporters have been enduring staff cutbacks and closures for many years, as the publishing industry struggles to transition into the modern age. Unless your business can make the transition needed to compete effectively in the modern-day market, the likelihood you'll be laid off looms large.
Strange Behavior
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Be wary if you notice changes in the way people behave, or in the way your company conducts its business. If your company makes a move to a smaller and less expensive location, you may soon lose your job. Not being kept in the loop about company matters, or being ignored by fellow employees, may also mean that your tenure at this company will be a short one.
Considerations
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You may not be able to avoid a layoff, but you can prepare for one. Update your resume, step up your networking and review your personal expenses, to see what you can cut. Karen Chan, writing for the University of Illinois Extension, advises at-risk employees to get prepared immediately for the possibility of losing their jobs.
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References
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