“Laid off.” We either hear those words at least once a week from close friends/family or we dread hearing that word ourselves and having to be let go by the company we work for. I myself am a business owner and I would never want to be in the position to say those words. And I’m grateful that I haven’t had to. But I’ve been giving some thought on how does one handle the fact of being laid off and losing their job?
Your future is in your hands.
Filled with Uncontrolled Emotions
I could never imagine because at first I would think you go through an emotional roller coaster ride. First you feel at a loss. Not knowing what to do or fearing the uncertainty of the near future. Income. Lifestyle. What will the next job be like? Will I even find a new job?
Well, I’m not giving any advice but I thought that it is important to first calm down and think about the facts.
1. How long do you have until your last day at work?
You usually don’t have to leave work immediately. And most times you get around 1 months severance. You it’s not like you will be immediately without income. So you have some time to think things out.
2. Unemployment insurance
Although most of us don’t save enough for tough times like these, but the government has all through the time we’ve been employed. There’s unemployment insurance that you can claim for up to 6-12 months as long as you are able and actively looking for work. Here is a resource for workers in California: http://www.edd.ca.gov/pdf_pub_ctr/de8714b.pdf
3. See things as an opportunity, think positive
Think about it, did you really love the job you were at? Maybe this is a chance for you to look for something to do that you really enjoy. Think of things as a positive and more of an opportunity and things you never thought of will come your way.
4. Alternatives
If you’ve past your savings, unemployment insurance and feel like you’re running out of time looking for a new job. Then maybe you can consider alternative sources of income. If you really need the cash for basic necessities, consider doing something you wouldn’t normally do but have to just to make ends meet. Income is income, many other people in the world would just be glad they have a job and not be picky about what they do. And maybe in the end you’ll like it and be successful at doing the alternative job. I’m just saying to keep an open mind and not rule out alternative job opportunities.
Share your thoughts and get community support
Because when you think things out in a calm fashion you’ll realize that it’s not the end of the world. Don’t let your emotions get in the way of your future. Since worrying won’t get you anywhere, you might as well start thinking about what to do next. And it’s also best to talk to friends and family. Sharing your thoughts will help you think things out and not fall into a vicious cycle of self doubt. The support you get from your community of friends and family will help you get through tough times so don’t forget to at least open up to them and get the support you need.
So what have been your experiences now or in the past? Leave a comment, feel free to share your thoughts.
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