Work defensively in difficult times
There are lots of rumours about upcoming layoffs and for many (28%) being laid off is a workplace or career trauma. Now is the time to get your head out of the sand and make some contingency plans and minimize the damage as much as possible. It’s not a great feeling that you have to do this but way better than being caught off guard.
Many claim to have been blindsided by recent developments in companies such as Meta and Twitter. The former has been hemorrhaging money for months. Elon Musk has a long history of lying and has always been a narcissistic and unstable nut job. Why would he behave any differently with Twitter?
This is why I think there are times when we all need to wake up, read the writing on the wall and work defensively. Many will want to trust the universe.
YOU are the universe.
How to work defensively
We saw this in the pandemic and for many, it will be layering one trauma onto another. Here is what you can do:
✔️ Stay up to date for alerts in your sector and for your company. Avoid surprises.
✔️ Move all your personal information, performance reviews, etc. to a personal device or the Cloud in case you are locked out of your company channels.
✔️ If you don’t have a personal device get one if you can afford it. Black Friday is coming up and second-hand reconditioned ones are relatively surprisingly inexpensive. If not you can access your data from the Cloud in Internet cafés and public libraries.
✔️ Download your contacts and address book – colleagues, anyone in your companies, customers, and vendors. Move those off-site too or to the Cloud.
✔️ Understand the terms of your contract and your statutory rights.
✔️ Update your LinkedIn profile and CV using the be FABulous formula. Put “open to recruiters” on your settings. If you still have a job you probably don’t need to use a green circle at the moment.
✔️ Get some LinkedIn recommendations and give some. Giving gratitude and recognition is a two-way street.
✔️ Start networking. We are coming into the holiday season when you have every chance to send a year-end or non-religious greeting to your network. If you know someone who is a practicing Christian you can send a card or message with a religious theme. You have until the end of January to send New Year messages which is what we do in Europe. After that, it’s getting a bit close to the line.
✔️ If things look really grim – become active on the market. Set up job alerts if you haven’t done so already.
Not ideal
Working in fear and taking steps to protect yourself may not seem like an ideal way to approach your career. Another way to look at it is that it is being realistic. Factor in that sh*t happens, even to good people.
Don’t let that good person be you.
Don’t be someone who finds themselves unable to check into their company email or Slack account and that’s how you know it’s curtains.
For the record, I think that is a horrendous way to implement layoffs.
Do you need help after a layoff or redundant role? Contact 3Plus now!