I was laid off in January 2020 at the early stages of the pandemic. I wasn’t laid off due to the virus though, instead I was laid off due to a corporate strategy that was requiring many employees to be located in specific places. In my case I would have needed to relocate 600+ miles away. I had worked at the company for a long time, and watched many others be laid off in previous years for various corporate reasons. After watching the signs for 30+ years, I could read the tea leaves and pretty accurately forecasted the last 8 layoffs, including my own in 2020. I will share some of the key signs to watch for, so you aren’t surprised by a last minute meeting with HR and your manager to discuss your exit from the company
In order of the most likely signs you are at risk of being laid off
- The company has a town hall and states we must meet the expectations of Wall Street, and we will do whatever is necessary including “Optimizing our workforce”. Key phases frequently signal layoffs are coming and in the actual layoff discussion with you they may even reference those quotes as the justification. “As you heard in the town hall, we are optimizing our workforce and unfortunately that will be impacting you, and your employment will be ending”
- Organizational Efficiency goals become a company wide goal. Organizational…
