Is a Lay Off in Your Future?

For employers, lay offs are a natural part of doing business. Most companies, big and small, have had to lay off employees at some point in the past.

But for you, as an employee, a lay off is likely a terrifying proposition. Thoughts of pink slips, extended job searches, and bills piling up come to mind first.

So how can you tell if your South Florida job is on the line? And is there anything you can do about it?

Some signs that your company is tightening its belt include:

Cutting or reducing non-essential budget items.

Some examples include:

  • Employees are told not to order office supplies.
  • Weekly company-paid lunches are going by the wayside.
  • Employees are no longer going to trade shows as travel budgets are trimmed or cut entirely.
  • All office parties are eliminated.

Projects are cancelled.

If company management had big plans for a new product or service, and they’re putting them on the back burner for now, then it could be a sign the company is undergoing a cash crunch. Management is instead focusing on those business streams that offer guaranteed revenues, rather than taking a chance on something new.

Resignations.

Senior managers or key staff members are resigning in numbers. They’re privy to certain information that you may not be, such as the financials, and see the writing on the wall. They may not have a lot of confidence in the company’s future and want to jump ship before it sinks.

Changes in communication.

Employees used to be asked for their input and ideas. Now decisions are made at a higher level, with no employee involvement. Things that used to be said verbally are now all in writing. You are no longer asked to attend key meetings without any specific reason being given.

So what can you do if you see some – or all – of the above signs?

  • First, get the facts. The rumor mill can turn one small piece of information into misstatements and falsehoods. So ask your boss how things are going with the company. He or she will be able to offer you more accurate information.
  • Next, become invaluable. Learn something new, expand your skill set, and bring value to the table that other employees can’t or aren’t willing to.
  • Ask for more responsibility. With many employers trying to do more with less, asking for more responsibility will be like music to your boss’s ears.

However, if your company is going down the tubes, and you’re ready to make a move now, Future Force can help. We can offer you access to a variety of South Florida jobs that may not be advertised elsewhere.

Start your job search now.

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