So & So Was Fired, Will I Be Next? — The Instability of The Workplace

Let’s face it guys. The economy and the job market have been in the crapper the last couple of years. Employers were laying off people left and right to control costs, but according to the latest unemployment figures, there may be relief on the horizon. Even still, layoffs are commonplace in many offices. Most upper management continue to find ways to add more job duties to another employee to save dollars, therefore cutting jobs. But what happens when someone in your department, a colleague is fired. Will you be next?

That all depends on the reason for the firing or layoff. If your colleague was let go due to misconduct, being insubordinate, breaking company policies or rules, or for poor work production, it’s safe to say that your job isn’t going anywhere. However, if the employee in your department was let go due to budget cuts or other office politics due to economics, it may be time to look for another job.

As a former hiring manager, it was always a difficult decision to let someone go. Knowing that an employee’s job equals their livelihood, it’s a negative action to have to terminate an employee. In any event, the company’s needs come first. Companies typically let go of employees based on specific criteria that you may or may not meet. If you begin seeing layoffs and terminations in your department, that is usually a sign that the axe will soon fall on you.

Be proactive. Most bosses don’t mind telling you the truth. Ask for a meeting with management and discuss your current position and concerns which may set your mind at ease. But if you do request a meeting, be prepared to listen to answers that you may not want to hear, and be mindful of your reactions.

If you are slacking in the office, pick up the pace and improve you quality of work. Most bosses want to keep you on, but if they cannot justify the need to, then you will be on the chopping block next. Stay focused, produce great work, and keep samples of your excellence just in case you may need them for a future job position.

There is no crystal ball to determine if you will keep your job through these rough economic times. But if you stay positive, continue to produce good work, and communicate effectively and wisely in the office, you will stand more of a chance of keeping your job.

What is the environment like in your office? Do mass layoffs at your employer make you uneasy and fearful of losing your job? Comment below and share your thoughts.