It's TIME To Talk About Layoffs

Recently, TIME Magazine on-line called to find out “What  To Say When Someone Loses Their Job.”  You can read the tightly edited interview at TIME.com:  <http://www.time.com/time/nation/article/0,8599,1843507,00.html>  

But let me give you more, in-depth information.  When you are talking with a co-worker who has been laid off, reassure him/her that you want to stay in touch.  “Survivors” often shun their laid-off co-workers. Don’t act like the typical “survivor.”   As a “survivor,” you might feel like pulling away for several reasons.  You feel guilty about still having a job when faced with the person who has been laid off.  You need to explain to yourself why your co-worker got laid off and you didn’t.  You don’t know what to say to those who got laid off.  Your organization may actively discourage contact.  But the coolness or distance you exhibit to laid-off co-workers can be very hurtful.  Show them you do want to remain friends – or at least networking contacts.

Let’s assume that your co-worker did a great job at work.  You can help that person make contacts.  Go through his/her resume and point out strengths.  If you’ve worked closely on a team or a project, you might even be able to suggest additions to the resume that reflect the co-worker’s abilities.  You also can arrange a couple of lunches to introduce your co-worker to people you know who might be helpful.  You belong to circles that your co-worker doesn’t.  Finding a job is partly a numbers game.  You can help increase the number of people your co-worker is in touch with during his/her job hunt. Don’t ask your contacts if they have an opening:  chances are, they don’t.  Do ask your contacts to help your co-worker with advice about finding a new job:  brainstorm ways to put your co-worker’s skills to use in new ways or new markets.  Prompt your co-worker to tell stories about successes at work. Storytelling will teach your contacts to trust your co-worker and help reduce the risk they might feel about passing your co-worker’s name or resume along. 

In short, be kind and helpful to co-workers who have been laid off.  Who knows, you might be laid off and need their kindness and help someday!