Are you worried about losing your job? I know I am! I think, in this economy, worrying about not having a paycheck coming in is just so common. So, you better keep your eyes open for signs that the pink slip is coming your way. Here are my top twelve warning signs that a lay off might be coming.
1. I'm Being Ignored ...
If I notice that I'm feeling left out, I start to get worried. If no one's including me in meetings or decisions, I must not be that important. If I stop getting invited to conferences with my colleagues, I start brushing up my resume.
2. I Get a Bad Review ...
Normally, my job performance reviews are just fine. However, if I get an out-of-the-blue bad performance evaluation, I start thinking that maybe they're looking for a reason to get rid of people. If my next job review comes back negatively, I'll start looking for other signs that I might be laid off soon.
3. My Job Description Changes ...
If I suddenly lose a lot of my responsibilities to take on new things, I start wondering if I'm being slowly edged out of my position. This certainly crosses my mind if I'm taken off important projects or long-term things that I'm doing. I think that, when my job changes drastically, the bosses are trying to get prepared for when I'll be gone.
4. My Ideas Aren't Valued ...
So, let's say I'm not being ignored, and I'm still being invited to meetings. However, if my suggestions and comments are not treated as being important, I start to worry that I've lost my value with my employers. If what I say isn't valuable, why would they want to keep me around?
5. No One Sits with Me at Lunch ...
Sometimes, other employees get the word that you're being let go before you do. So, if people suddenly stop chit-chatting with me, going to lunch with me, or talking about their personal life, there's a strong possibility that they're insulating themselves from feeling upset when I'm fired.
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6. I Get a New Boss ...
I've noticed that, whenever a new boss comes in, he or she often likes to establish their dominance. Sometimes, that means firing some of the old timers to show other employees that this new boss means business. So, when I get a new boss, I start watching for other signs that I might be the sacrificial firing.
