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It's the holidays and many people are feeling cheerful, but if you're feeling Grinch-like instead this one's for you:
If you've been around for a while, the time will eventually come when a company you work for is in unfortunate shape and will need to "downsize." Having witnessed this at a client of mine this week, I've noticed a pattern and a few warning signs you may find useful...
Here are several warning signs you're about to be laid-off. If you've noticed more than perhaps one of these, your Spidey-Sense should be tingling—it's time to start polishing that resume/CV!
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I. Backups
"Have you backed-up all your work to XYZ?"
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II. Training
"Please train your co-worker on X, we need everyone up to speed on these components."
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III. Important Project or Person MIA
Just like the old Christmas movie, It's a Wonderful Life, where the very existence of the main character is erased from history, a similar fate will happen to $BIG_PROJECT or important people.
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IV. Mandatory Meeting
Subject: Moving Forward in $YEAR+1Content-free meeting invitations or email focused on date periods, especially late-in the year (a nod to tax purposes). "Let's discuss our plan for 2016." **gulp**
That's my list for now, please chime in with any others you can think of.
(Score: 5, Informative) by Snospar on Wednesday December 23 2015, @09:10AM
I guess a lot depends on the size of the company or department but I've been through a few rounds of lay-offs in different parts of the industry and some common themes have crept in:
Keep an eye on management - If senior/middle management has several changes or sudden departures then this can often be a warning sign that the ship isn't going to make it to shore.
Missing in Action - If your manager is often away at meetings behind closed doors check if there are other managers also missing. If they're meeting regularly but never speaking about it then the end result is not going to be a good one.
Job Title Changes - Often referred to as a "Flattening of the Organisational Structure", suddenly everyone has the same generic job title (e.g. developer, analyst, engineer). This makes it easier to carve out large numbers of people when that entire "role" is outsourced or no longer required.
Rationalisation/Reorganisation - If you keep hearing these terms then the axe is probably swinging around you but hasn't reached you yet. Keep an eye out for staff from Human Resources or Personnel (often lurking with folders/clipboards) and if you see them speaking to your manager be prepared for the worst.
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(Score: 1) by driverless on Wednesday December 23 2015, @11:16PM
V. Gardening
Here's a shovel, we'd like you to dig a hole about 6' deep, as long as you are high. Once you're done, go to a garden centre and bring back a bag of quicklime, then stand by for further instructions.