Layoffs

The messages poured into my inbox fast and furious. One after another, informing me of former co-workers who got laid off that day. In all, it was a total of eight. I knew layoffs were coming because the company that owns the television station where I once worked recently announced system wide cuts were needed.

This year marks the five year anniversary of my own layoff, and unlike my former co-workers, I didn’t know it was coming. It was a Monday in October. The sky was gray and the air damp with drizzling rain. The air was cold but not cold enough for a heavy coat. Jacket weather.

I was sitting at my desk in my cramped cubicle writing notes for the staff meeting that was to take place in about half an hour when my phone rang. It was our new department head. There was recently some restructuring in my department, and we were now part of the fundraising group. I had a new boss, but I wasn’t really sure what her duties were. We were in transition.

Looking back, I should have known this was coming. My former boss had left to start her own communications company, and we were her first client. She never seemed to care for me, acting uncomfortable and awkward around me while developing a close friendship with her assistant. I had heard through the office grapevine about her departure, but I was shocked to find out the entire department was restructured and that her assistant was promoted into a director role. This was two months before my job was cut.

Our new department head was, and still is, a very nice woman, but I had a knot in the pit of my stomach when she asked me to come into her office so close to our meeting. I started to realize what was happening and tried not to panic as I sat down at the round table across from her desk where she was already seated.

She made it brief, telling me that my job and two other positions in the corporate office were being eliminated due to budget issues. My head started swimming as I realized how unprepared I was. My professional portfolio had not been updated in months. There were copies of press releases and communication plans that I needed in order to represent the 14 months I worked at the company. She was kind enough to tell me I could call her and arrange to come back later in the week to retrieve the documents. It was clear she wanted me out of there before the staff meeting. I wanted to leave before I started to cry. I went back to my cube, grabbed my purse and rolodex off my desk and went home. It was nine a.m. I had a dozen resumes out by noon.

It took me four months to find another job, which I consider a short amount of time, especially compared to what laid off workers are facing now. But what really stands out from that time period is how people treated me when I told them I had lost my job. When I returned to the office two days later to get the rest of my things and to print off copies of documents for my portfolio, I went early in the morning to avoid as many people as possible. But those who were there were amazing. They were gracious and kind and sympathetic. Many tears were shed, and they weren’t just mine. I was treated with respect and allowed as much time as needed to get what I needed. By the weekend, I had received a card in the mail from my former department head, apologizing for how brief and cold she was when she told me the news. It turns out that she had never laid anyone off before, and she was just as shocked and hurt as I was. Their kind gestures still touch me to this day.

Unfortunately, not everyone was as gracious. I had kept in touch with several former co-workers and college classmates throughout the years, and I reached out to every one of them to tell them I was unemployed and looking for work. Many of their reactions disappointed me. Some ignored me, while others acted awkward and uncomfortable, as if being laid off were a contagious disease they hoped not to catch. Many friends stopped returning my calls and emails as well.

The person who helped me the most was one I didn’t expect to help. A college acquaintance invited me to networking events and made sure to introduce me to everyone. She contacted people to tell them I was looking and to sing my praises. She emailed me job leads and got me introductions. She never once shunned me or made me feel like I was nothing because I had lost my job. She is now a good friend, and I know that I can always depend on her.

When I finally got a new job, it was like I had been readmitted to the club. Former co-workers once again were happy to return my calls and answer my emails, acting as if nothing had happened. Friends started calling and inviting me out again now that I was getting a paycheck. Their behavior saddened and disappointed me, and I ended a few friendships as a result.

I am reminded of this time whenever I hear of another round of layoffs, which seems to be almost daily. When I learned of my former co-workers, I reached out to every single one, offering my sympathies and whatever assistance I can. Because this is what a laid off person needs the most: knowing there are people who care. Anyone can lose a job. Remember that the next time someone you know loses their job. Maybe you think you have nothing to offer because you don’t know of any available jobs, but you’re wrong. A kind gesture costs nothing and means everything.