Thread regarding Cengage layoffs

Thank you HR for making this a fun and enlightening process especially with all the tools we need to find a replacement job in just a few days

All that was announced at the Town Hall was that layoffs would begin "ASAP." They offered nothing in the way of specifics - which departments, who first, how many, etc.

Most companies try to complete layoffs very early in the week - on Monday or Tuesday. The theory is that this gives those laid off enough work-week space to begin taking steps toward finding new employment. Otherwise, being laid off on a Thursday or Friday would just mean the employee had the weekend to stew over things without being able to take action.

I would look for calls to begin this coming week, on Monday and then again on Tuesday. These could be 1:1 phone calls with HR attached, though with the number of people due to be laid off this could be delivered in group phone calls. The thing to watch out for, if one is field based, is a midday email telling you to phone an 800# later that afternoon - usually in the 3-5:00 range. If you receive such an email, you should know to expect this to be a layoff notice. If they are doing individual call, you will likely receive an inbound call to your company cell - again late in the afternoon - coming from a member of regional management. The direct-report managers are usually not a part of this process.

Given the number of departments involved, along with the number of individuals they are talking about releasing, I would expect this process to be repeated once or possibly twice over the coming weeks. Looking at the sales calendar, they could very well leave sales people for last, laying them off in 2-3 weeks and concentrating on internal, office-based employees and sales management first. This would conceivably keep the sales peons active on the ground, closing sales for another few weeks before finally getting the boot. Then again, this is Cengage - meaning anything could happen.

If you feel that you MIGHT be in danger of being released during this wave (and 25% of a workforce is no small amount) you might consider using this weekend to prep yourself by doing minor and even some major chores. Just a few of the many ideas you might pursue:

• Resume update. If it has been a while (five years or more) before you have updated your resume, do some research on this first. The resume game has changed - drastically.

• LinkedIn refresh. Revise your Linked in profile as you would your resume. Make sure that the fact that you're actively seeking new opportunities is highlighted. Consider adding a photo and contact information. You might also pay attention to your contact list: who is missing? Search for and consider adding old bosses, key players in your Cengage career that might be supportive when it comes to finding/securing new work, valued co -workers outside of your immediate team. You might also note and connect with any recruiting firms and people who specialize in publishing . There are lots out there. Include non-publishing companies that might be interesting to work for, too.

• Utilize other social media, too. Subscribe to companies of potential interest: Follow on facebook, subscribe to their tweets, connect and/or follow on LinkedIn. If you are unfamiliar, hop on Glassdoor and familiarize yourself with that site. Follow potential companies of interest, being sure to subscribe to their job listing communications.

• One thing I did that REALLY paid off well: make a list of 15-30 different companies you would like to work for. Your "A List" of most-desired employers. Do an internet search for the "Careers" page on each of these companies and bookmark that page - placing all Careers bookmarks in a special folder. You can add to this bookmark collection over time, as you become aware of new companies you want to target. Once every 7-10 days or so, pull up and check each of these careers pages for new listings that might pertain to you. This is where most companies first list their new openings – on their own Careers page. Often these listings will appear a week or three before the openings appear elsewhere. Get used to checking this list every week, be one of the early appliers!

• Read up on the job search process. Locate and bookmark good pieces on networking, interviewing, negotiating, resume maintenance, as well as other articles of specific interest (job searching as an older adult, starting a new career, freelancing, etc.).

There are a billion more things you might do, but the above will at least put you ahead of the rest of the pack when it comes to being prepared. Best case, you are not laid off and you're pre-prepped for the next scare! Worst-case, you get the bad news and you are already prepared for it.

One last thought for you: it can easily take 3 - 6 months or more before landing a position like the one you have now. Things can happen much more quickly than that, but don't be surprised to discover the process takes much longer than you expect it to. The general rule is to expect 30 days for every new $10,000 of salary you are seeking, but some of these more desirable positions, such as field sales and higher-level product work, can take a very long time to secure. Companies often move very, very slowly when it comes to selecting a new hire. IF you find yourself on the receiving end of a bad phone call in the near future, consider locating and securing a part-time (or even full-time) temporary position somewhere. We are entering the holiday season, which can be ideal for short-term, seasonal work. Look at working 2nd shift in a retail or warehouse or call center setting, which will keep your days free for interviewing and job-seeking activities. A temporary position like this accomplishes several things: it keeps a bit of money rolling in (every little bit is going to help!) and it helps maintain structure in your daily and weekly life. It is all too easy - and too dangerous - to lay about the house, moping and feeling sorry for one's self while trying to muster the energy to search the web for new leads or make that personal connection phone inquiry. A temporary position might help you keep your sanity during what can be a very challenging time period.

Good luck, everyone!

So there were layoffs. Yes or no.

I like the questions. It’s kind of like when Saddam Hussein took power.

MH seems to get some sort of weird high out of layoffs.

Well did anything happen or not?

What happened? How many people laid off? How about Gale West coast folks? Just worried about former co-workers. Please update when you can. Thanks.

Why do they even take questions?