FOUR SIGNS YOU MAY BE TARGETED FOR A LAY-OFF

FOUR SIGNS YOU MAY BE TARGETED FOR A LAY-OFF

As a career coach, one of the questions I get asked the most is, “How do you know if you could be laid off?” Although there are not any hard and fast rules for companies to warn employees about upcoming layoffs, below are four signs that could mean a lay-off is in your near future and that you should start preparing a “Plan B” for your career…

Before I became a global program manager for a Fortune 100 Company (a position I enjoyed for four years until I became a Career Coach), I was laid off three times. Once because I couldn’t handle doing the work of two people, and the other two times due to company lay-offs.

Now, as a career coach, one of the questions I get asked the most is, “How do you know if you could be laid off?”

Although there are not any hard and fast rules for companies to warn employees about upcoming layoffs, as I look back on the times I was laid off I see that there were some definite indications that an end was coming. Below are four signs that could mean a lay-off is in your near future and that you should start preparing a “Plan B” for your career…

Your Physical Health – Many times, we ignore signs around us that a layoff could be in our future by telling ourselves that we provide too much valued, and are too well liked to be laid off. And although it may be easy to dismiss the logical signs, the physical signs can be harder to ignore.

If you start getting a pit in your stomach when you drive into work, or your heart beats faster, or you get a headache – these are all physical signs that something in your work environment could be drastically wrong. Also, if you find yourself hitting the snooze button 46-times, hating Mondays, or having wild mood swings including depression, anger, or becoming introverted – these are all physical signs that your work environment may be toxic to your emotional and physical well being.
Your Environment – Look around at the organization where you work. Have there been layoffs, or talks of layoffs? Are programs or services being cut? Is funding being reduced in your department?

Another environmental sign is a shift in management’s attitude. Right before lay-offs are announced, there is a kind of heaviness in the air throughout the building. It’s a depressed, shush-shush environment. Is your manager more stressed than usual? Are you getting less face-time with your manager? Do senior managers seem preoccupied, and not attentive to employee needs or concerns? These are signs that a lay-off could be near.
Your Job Role – Have your assignments shifted to performing less valued and lower visibility projects? Do your deliverables align to the company’s strategic objectives, or department’s quarterly goals? If not, then you’ll want to do everything you can to transition onto more meaningful assignments, or try to transfer into a department that offers more stability.
Your Influence – Are you finding that your opinions are no longer valued? Are you being left out of business decisions or meetings? Do you find that your sphere of influence is shrinking?

Again, these are not sure fire signs that you’re doomed for a lay-off. However, if you’re experiencing one or more of these changes, then you should definitely be putting together a “Plan B” for yourself – an action plan to help you hit the ground running and transition into your next career should you receive a pink slip.

If you'd like more tips to advance your career, visit our website for career tools, resources, and coaching support at: www.CareerCoaching360.com

Sherri Thomas is President of Career Coaching 360, an international speaker, and author of "Career Smart - 5 Steps to a Powerful Personal Brand." Career Coaching 360 (www.CareerCoaching360.com) provides career planning, management coaching, and leadership development support to help professionals change careers quickly and easily.