People keep obsessing over whether layoffs are coming next week or next month, but that's not the right thing to focus on. You can't control when they happen. What you can control is how prepared you are. Update your resume, network, save some money. Once you've done that, the timeline becomes less important. You'll be ready either way.
6 replies (most recent on top)
they days of emailing things to yourself is over. Windows 11 records everything and it goes up to the microsoft servers for later retrieval. Don't set yourslef up to be terminated
Preparing for your next chapter - Know how to access your benefits post layoff. Take any floating holiday(s) you might have. Know if your state requires full payout of PTO, and take it if not. Network with your coworkers, and get personal points of contact, not work emails or phone numbers. Update your resume, and get it out there on LI. Take as many training courses as you can to get ready for a new position outside of this place. Use the benefits you currently have - medical/dental/vision, tuition reimbursement, etc. Stay consistently positive and professional, but document everything. If you get “the call”, put it on speaker and record it. Ask your manager during that call to confirm that your record will show “eligible for rehire” (thats really all a new company is entitled to, in terms of information from Optum. Thats the “right way” to prep for a potential layoff (and I’m probably missing a few things around severance etc). If there is information you “might need” in the future, now is the time to pull it. Taking pictures is probably safest, then next safest is printing, then (not recommended!) emailing yourself the info. It’s not aboveboard, but neither is how we’ve been treated over the last few years.
Easiest way to prepare look around your teams and see if you're 4-7 people deep and realize it's ripe for cuts.
Prepare, prepare, prepare. I saw it coming and made sure I saved up money. Got my severance and PTO paid out, and was applying for jobs way in advance. It took 5 weeks with multiple interviews but still had 4 weeks severance left and survived without financial loss. Dont think they will keep you because you are great at your job! They don't care about you, why should you care about them?
Very well said. 🎉
Excellent advice! I was RIFed in January after 15+ years. It was a complete shock, but I was already networking and in the process of updating my resume. Believe me having savings to fall back on helped a lot, too. Luckily I was able to secure a new position with a smaller company with better benefits and team. Don't dwell on what could happen -- forge your own future. Be prepared.