Layoff preparation

Hi all, we're going through a "restructuring" at my workplace and a lot of people are worried about getting laid off. What are some practical things you can do to prepare for a layoff?

Also if you do get laid off what are the first things you should do... Do you file for unemployment right away, etc. Fortunately I've never been in such a position before.

[Fern]

This is an excellent question.

some things, i guess, are obvious.

You can update your resume now.

Register for various online job search sites. By filling in various keywords for the kind of job you're looking for, etc., they will automatically email you job listings that fit your description. I'm not job looking, but i'm signed up on yahoo and careerbuilder's job search sites just to stay informed about what's out there.

Yes, file for unemployment would be among the first things i would do.
You should also be prepared to put a downscaled budget in place immediately in the event of a layoff. That is, know ahead of time where you can cut back to reduce your monthly living expenses. In my case, i would immediately stop my pre-payments on my mortgage. Someone else might stop their enhanced cable service and settle for basic. There are many ways to cut back on expenses, too many to list here.

I would also start networking with ex-colleagues, friends and other acquantances and let them know you're job searching. Word of mouth can really help you sometimes.

Depending on your industry, you might want to register with various temp or professional job placement agencies. It's no longer just secretaries and clerks who find jobs this way; there are agencies that specialize in specific fields, such as IT, creative (graphic design and copywriting), etc.

Also delete any old emails or personal documents you may have on your computer, clear out caches and browsing history, etc.

Also copy any documents you might want onto a disk and save at home. For instance, as a writer, many things i've written here at my office would help me when used in my portfolio at a job interview as a writing sample.

For the long term, keep in mind that in some states the utility companies offer free inspections of your home for energy efficiency and give you free stuff like light bulbs and if you have an old (10+ years) fridge, even a new fridge!

Also for long term, many towns/cities like mine have a food pantry where you can get free food, no questions asked. (not to be abused, of course). Our town's pantry, where i volunteer, is intended for people in temporary short term crisis such as job layoff, illness or disability or divorce.

[Ima saver]

My dh can never be laid off cause he is self employed. But if he had no houses to build, I have built up a one year minimum cash savings account that we could fall back on. In the meantime, we could contact past customers to see if they needed any repairs, changes, etc. to their homes.

[QueenOphelia]

Sorry to hear about the impending change in your company. I went through that tense and stressful exercise several times in my career and was a victim of it in June 2004.

The first advice I can give you is get your resume updated and out there for all to see. It might be the perfect time to look into other fields if you think your industry might be shifting. If you get a large enough serverance think about going back to school.

When I was presented with my severance package, I showed it to my attorney. He suggested some negotiating points such as more COBRA payments (they paid for a year of COBRA instead of 6 months), a longer out-placement service (they paid for 6 months usage at a high-falutin' out-placement joint on Fifth Ave. instead of the 3 months they offered).

Definitely apply for unemployment as soon as you are officially "separated" (God, I hate that term!). It takes a couple of weeks to get your first check, plus you might get a job quicker than you think so you want to act fast.

I paid off all of my debts including my car which had 1 year or payments left. I refinanced my co-op while I still had my job so I could lower my payments.

Most importantly...don't panic. It was the best thing that happened to me. I landed a job after taking the summer off and have since gotten an even better gig. Change makes you take stock of lots of things in your life. Use your down time wisely, have some fun and before you know it you'll be back in the saddle again

[Coleroo]

We are being layed off effective Sept. 30. I have been with my company for 4 years so its hard on me saying goodbye.

What is your company doing (or going to be doing) to help? Mine is bringing in our local workforce agency, doing career fairs, career workshops (resumes, interview skills, etc) and helping all employees with job searches.

Some things I would suggest:

1. Don't listen to wild speculation. Rumors abound when layoffs are eminent. Rumors can cause a lot of hurt feelings and most of the time they aren't true (so don't spread them).

2. Don't burn your bridges from anger - you may never know who in your industry you may need to call on a few years from now or use as an employement "contact".

3. Prepare your resume, brush up on interviewing skills

4. Start your search for jobs online and let people know you're soon to be in the market.

5. Does your state have a "displaced worker" workforce agency? If so, find out what you need to do to register. Displaced workes are typically put at the "front of the line" when it comes to accessing resources for unemployment, local job postings, state-sponsored career workshops etc.

6. Review the federal WARN act and see if it applies to your specific situation.

7. Save up a cushion of money!

8. Start looking for ways to cut larger bills out (i.e. get rid of a newer car with high payments / opt for something cheaper)

The biggest piece of advice I can give is DON'T panic or listen to idle rumors. Enjoy your (possible last) days at your company and remember its NOT about "you". Many companies go through layoffs ("get well" plans - as they are known here at my work) and its all about the company's "bottom line". Not about you or your personal work performance.

[PrincessPerky]

I didn't read every reply so sorry if I am repeating anything, but DH has weathered many a downsizing, layoff frenzy, rightsizing, and streamlining. all fancy terms for mass reduction in work force.

His main tactic, is to buckle down at work and WORK, he also relys on they fact that he is a fought after employee (supervisors in nearby areas would love to steal him) Several times he has shifted sideways rather than be let go.

And word of mouth in office, the kind that says 'man I am glad he was here today to fix that'. so he isn't a printer guy, but the printer gets fixed, he isn't a whatchamacallit database guy but you ask he will google that answer for you if at all possible (and if not he doesn't string you along, he just says I don't know, try so and so, then quietly googles it himself, if he can fix it he meanders on down to do so, if not, he at least pointed in the right direction)

Not that you can do much if your not able to help others outside your job, just that if you have free time at work polishing up your resume isn't the best thing to be doing...if you like your job, helping Joe polish up his resume is great, gets him out and you don't need laid off to meet the bottom line (yes he has done that, not that he likes his job that much, but better the devil you know to him)

Of course it is a good idea to polish up that resume at home...and spread the word and all.

[scfr]

Make sure you have a copy of your company's policy regarding severance packages (if they are offered) at home.

Go ahead and call your state's unemployment department to find out what sorts of unemployment benefits you could expect to receive.

If you don't think your EF is sufficient (combined with your expected benefits), start socking away as much as you can in that.

If you were thinking about making any major life changes (buying a new home or car, having another child, spouse changing jobs, etc) you may want to delay those decisions until you know where you will fit in the new restructured company.

Know that you are not alone! Many of us here have been through the same. With my former employer, I went through 2 mergers, a couple downsizings, and then finally my office was closed. It was very stressful every time, so I know how you are feeling. I ended up starting my own business and it turned out to be a good thing.

Edit / Amendment: I most definitely agree with the others who suggested that you not burn any bridges behind you! I've never understood the "since I'm leaving I'm going to give you all a piece of my mind" mentality. A few years after my former employer and I parted ways on good terms, that same former employer (thanks to one of my very close co-workers) became a customer of my husband's business. So, my connection with that company continues in a positive way even tho' I no longer get a paycheck from them.

[jIM_Ohio]

many of the people we laid off in 1999 and 2001 are back working for us in 2007.

Don't burn your bridges.

[Saving in So Cal]

You might want to go through your personnel file to make sure everything is in order and to get copies of anything that might help you with a job search.

To the extent your company will use your job performance to determine your position in the layoff queue, you want to make sure your personnel file is as complete and accurate as possible.

In addition, when there are large scale layoffs, you might lose contact with people who would ordinarily be able to act as a reference. In lieu of a reference, I have sometimes been able to use copies of performance appraisals, etc.

[mekish]

it sounds as though you're already resigned to being laid off, try being positive and hope that you will keep your job.
In any case, update your resume, and register with some job sites..