AM New York - Part 1
Afraid the axe could fall? Stay productive.
By Lucy Cohen Blatter
Afraid the axe could fall your way? Try not to panic. Worrying will not change the outcome; it’ll just makes your day-to-day life intolerable.
Michelle DeAngelis, author of Get a Life that Doesn’t Suck and a management consultant and corporate coach, gave a couple of tips on handling pre-layoff anxiety.
1) Don’t lose one ounce of professionalism. Though she admits it’s hard, DeAngelis says to avoid complaining, gossiping and coming in late to work. If you act professional, DeAngelis says you can avoid being the one on the chopping block when cuts are made. Or, you may get a furlough — a temporary leave of absence — or just a reduction in days.
2) Prepare for the job search. While this tip may seem to conflict with the first suggestion, DeAngelis says it doesn’t, and that it’s about putting you in control rather than in victim mode. “I always tell people who expect they may be laid off to begin looking for jobs, beefing up their resumes and identifying their three greatest skills, which can apply even to another industry,” she says.
Next week: DeAngelis offers suggestions for handling a layoff.