Layoffs are becoming the norm these days! Scrolling through my LinkedIn feed, I see post after post about women being laid off while pregnant, on maternity leave, or just recently returning back to work.
I myself was made redundant within 6 months of returning from maternity leave, I had only JUST felt like I was starting to find my feet again at work, following a traumatic birth where I nearly died and my baby being born three months premature. The mental and emotional load inside me was groaning. Then the layoff at the end of that very same year was the last straw that broke me.
These are my 4 tips if you, or someone your know are currently going through a similar situation.
Number One: Firstly, do not take it personally
I know its easier said than done, especially during a time where your body is going through huge amounts of change, but… try to take the emotion out of it even for a few minutes a day. This is assuming your organisation is doing a restructure for valid reasons and you have been selected using a fair process. Your organisation, although it may not feel like it, are likely not singling you out, it could have happened to anyone.
I want to call this out because in my example, I took it personally, and it dented my confidence for some time, and took a lot of work to get it back. At the time I had feelings of inadequacy, thinking if I hadn’t had a baby I may not be in this situation, I felt guilt at bringing a tiny human in the world who I now potentially could not provide for, I felt maybe my performance at work was impacted by having a child, all these false stories I started to feed myself which created doubt, tons of anxiety, depression and fear inside me. I had all of this swarming through my head while each day through the redundancy process I had to nurse my baby at night, then wake up in the morning and spend the day working in a job I was likely going to loose soon, and then spend the evenings earnestly job hunting, go to bed and repeat. I could not afford to be out of work, I had just spent my entire savings during maternity leave, there was no fall back plan.
Try to detach yourself from the emotion and objectively look at your situation. There is lots of free and paid for legal advice online, search for it and validate that you are being treated fairly and the layoffs are legitimate.
Number Two: Get Focused On You
Think about what your short term needs are. Explore and answer questions like:
How long can the redundancy pay off cover your outgoings for? This will help you understand your timeline for finding the next job.
Are your personal finances in order? Now is the time to get money savvy, turn off the leaky facet, turn off unused subscriptions, gym memberships etc that are gathering dust. Get a budget in place if you don’t already have one, get your outgoings down to essentials. There is plenty of free financial and debt management advice online, start there and ensure you have a budget plan in place, this will tell you how much you really need every month to keep a roof over your head and your essential bills paid.
Then finally ask yourself...Can you make lemonade with these lemons? Is this a wake up call to go for that dream business or venture? Ask yourself truly, is the right thing for you to jump into another corporate job or is there another way you can use your skills to make money that may suit your needs better? There is a blessing in adversity, it is called opportunity…Take it!
Number Three: Recharge
Stress is not good for you nor your baby(s). It's like when on a plane you are told to put on your own oxygen mask first before helping others, you need to take time out to recharge your batteries and feed your soul during this turbulent time.
It may be exercise, being in nature, praying, meditating etc. the list is endless, but do something for you that energises you, and try to do it consistently as you can. This will help you to keep things in perspective and balance. This too shall pass.
Number Four: Support Network
Repeat out loud after me: You are not alone.
Reach out, ask for help, ask for support, shout if you are struggling, do not suffer in silence and put on a brave face. It is okay to not be okay for a time. Ensure you have friends, family that can help with child care to ease the pressure off you, reach out to your social media network to help with finding jobs or other people in similar situations.
Make sure you have people who hold you accountable to better your situation and take action, not people who allow you stay in a negative emotional state. Find your cheerleaders! In times of need it is amazing to see all the good that is out there in this world.
Thank You
Thank you for reading this blog and I hope this has helped you or given you insight into how you can help someone going through a similar situation.
If you enjoyed my post or know someone who would benefit, please do share, and subscribe to my weekly newsletter for new blogs straight to your inbox.
With love,
The Compassionate Career Coach - Aysha @ MothersWithCareers.co.uk
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