Understanding and Handling Layoff Survivor Guilt

English Job Seeker Guide

Understanding and Handling Layoff Survivor Guilt

February 8, 2024

Many companies this year, such as Google, Microsoft, TikTok, and Lazada, went through a massive layoff. Sadly, there could be more to come. Being one of the workers left behind can be challenging, even if losing your job is tough. It’s known as layoff guilt survivor, and it exists. This expression describes feeling guilty about having “survived” a layoff when a colleague didn’t.

Being a survivor may lead to a wide range of feelings. Apart from feeling the layoff survivor guilt, a sense of relief comes with having a job and the pressure of taking on additional work. A layoff could impact your performance. According to a survey by Leadership IQ titled “Don’t Expect Layoff Survivors To Be Grateful,” 74% of workers who survived a corporate layoff report that their productivity has decreased due to the layoff.

Even though layoffs are very difficult for the surviving staff members, it’s critical to recognise and address any negative emotions as soon as possible. If not, they could eventually affect both your physical and emotional well-being. Here are five strategies to help cope with layoff remorse if you are among those left to pick up the slack.

Embrace your emotions

You might not feel the same way about your friends and relatives praising you for still having a job. Recognise that you are experiencing a range of emotions and going through a mourning process. You’re not alone, either. Since your coworkers are experiencing similar things, it is an excellent moment for you to support one another emotionally. If you oversee a group of people, lead by example by demonstrating empathy and being open about your layoff survivor guilt.

READ MORE: 3 Reasons For Massive Tech Layoffs in 2024

Recall your motivation

Seventy per cent of employees stated that their work defines their sense of purpose, according to McKinsey research. For this reason, this is a good moment to reflect on your initial motivation for joining the organisation. What drew you in? Was it the purpose or the culture? In what ways do your endeavours contribute to a better world? Recalling the significance of your job will help you maintain perspective. It will provide you with the drive and hope to keep going.

READ MORE: Layoffs 2024: 3 Tips to Avoid Getting Laid Off

Invest time in cultivating relationships

Getting in touch with former coworkers is another strategy for overcoming layoff remorse. Find out whether there’s anything you can do to help them. A job reference or a straightforward LinkedIn endorsement may make a big difference. Additionally, it’s the ideal opportunity to build new connections inside your company. Have you shown interest in any other internal departments? Connect with coworkers on such teams and learn about their daily routines. You’ll keep expanding your support network and make new acquaintances, if nothing else.

READ MORE: January and February is the best time for job hunting

Improve your ability to establish limits

If you are still among them, your workload has undoubtedly grown dramatically. This indicates that you need to practise establishing limits with your employer. List everything on your plate right now and rank the most important first. Next, determine how many tasks you can do without damaging your performance. Select the ones that most closely match your employment position and skill set. Consider assigning the less critical jobs to others. Set up a meeting with your boss to discuss your problems and present your ideas. Be cool before approaching the conversation, and be ready to compromise if needed.

READ MORE: Top 5 Fully Remote Jobs for 2024

See the bright side of things

Opportunities can be discovered even under these difficult conditions. Start by considering and pursuing any internal projects you’ve always wanted to work on. You could even invent a role for yourself that doesn’t exist yet. Start by thinking about the current demands of your organisation and how your passions and abilities fit into them. Next, draft a thorough job description and a possible changeover strategy to submit to your manager. You’ll have a better chance of success if you explain a business problem and how this new role will address it.

Although handling layoff survivor guilt might be disconcerting, it doesn’t have to be a hardship. Realise that you are the only one in control of your emotions and that they are natural. That way, you’ll be more likely to transform uncertainty into opportunity by putting your health first.

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