Layoff survivor needs advice/insight - Depression Message Board

UpNAtom77 · 06-08-2009, 07:23 PM

Hi all,

To make a long story short: I work at a non-profit agency, and over the course of the day at work today, out of nowhere, the entire team in my department--except me--were laid off!

Their last day will be at the end of the month. One member of the team is on vacation this week, and won't have any idea of the bad news until her supervisor approaches her on Monday morning. From what we've heard, the supervisor is going around to each office (we have several branch offices across our state) and delivering news of the cuts, with some of the other offices having their department staff cut down to one person.

I don't know what to say or think, to put it lightly. I feel fortunate to have "survived", but also obviously feel awful for the others, a couple of whom have been with the company for quite some time. I've felt a mixture of real sadness, anger, and "survivor's guilt" all day long. But I also feel a lot of fear...not only for my own job (believe me, no one can believe themselves un-layoff-able around here), but also the fact that I will now literally be the only person in my particular department, and doing the work that four of us together stayed very busy trying to do. I know that sounds selfish given the circumstances, but I'd be lying if I said that it wasn't on my mind. At this point, I don't know exactly how my job duties are going to change since the higher ups haven't spoke to me yet on the situation.

This may also sound strange, but I also worry about the fact that the actual layoff dates for the others are a few weeks away. Please don't get me wrong, I am very glad that the company was generous enough to not just boot them out the door right away, but seeing that I will be the only one left, and that everyone will know this...I fear a possible backlash, even though I honestly had no idea that any of this was going to happen, and don't know why I was the one spared. None of my co-workers are bad people, and I would think of this as being part of human nature more than anything (knowing that you're losing your job, and seeing the person who still has a job around you all day, would indeed be hard), but I'm still a bit nervous about being caught in the middle of a lot of emotions swirling around, and how I can keep things from escalating in the first place.

I have read online about "layoff survivor syndrome" and found many articles about what it is. But at the same time, I am having trouble finding articles that discuss how to cope with it, especially for someone in a situation like mine. I am feeling frustrated and confused,and could use some good advice and/or reading on the subject. Does anyone have either???

Also..thanks for letting me vent

UpNAtom77 · 06-15-2009, 04:11 PM

Sorry to bump, but...anyone???

MissMuse · 06-16-2009, 12:09 AM

Hi,

I don't have any experiential, or other, advice to offer, but I want to let you know that someone has read your post and hopes that you find the encouragement that you are seeking

. Being a layoff "survivor" is probably very difficult, not to mention that you are soon going to be the one to shoulder the work that had been challenging for four people to complete up until now

I hope that you find the answers that you are looking for

~Colleen

Stonepile · 06-16-2009, 07:01 AM

UpNAtom77- I notice that your original post was made on the 8th. How is it going today? Have you received any comments or behavior from your co-workers as your feared?

I can imagine due to the fact that you work for a non-profit agency that you are very person-centered. I suspect that you care deeply for others and have given your life in order to help them. So these lay-offs cut you deeply because these people were your "family." There is nothing wrong with that by the way. In fact, I think it is great.

One of the difficult things about life is that it isn't fair. Bad things do often happen to "good" people. It's our reaction to the "things" in life that determine our ultimate happiness and sense of peace. Strong people will always find a way to turn a negative into a positive experience and become stronger for it. It doesn't mean you have to like it or want to go thru it again, but that you learn from it.

I have just recently been told that the program I direct is going to be terminated in one year. I will too, be without a job at that time. I have two children who are in high school and will be heading off to college in the near future. It would be easy to worry and to fret, but I believe what God has promised, that He will always meet my needs. (Maybe not the lifestyle I live now, or wish to live in the future, but He will meet my true needs.) This is the Foundation that I have found to help in times like these.

Have you read the book, "The Shack"? The main point that I took away after reading it was that God doesn't cause bad things to happen, but will take those bad things and if the person allows, will use them for good in that person's life. Your friends (co-workers) have that same opportunity. You do too!

I hope this hasn't come across as too pushy. My intent is to give you some hope, some positive direction to go with your emotions. I do hope that given the time that has passed you are already feeling much better.

Hugs,
SP

UpNAtom77 · 06-17-2009, 07:16 PM

Hi everyone,

Thanks for responding & listening...and allowing me to vent

Stonepile: Thankfully it hasn't been as bad as I was afraid of, but there have still been some things that were somewhat hurtful (some pretty snarky comments, feeling isolated, etc.). I've been trying to stay busy and let it all slide, especially with all the emotions that go around in a situation like this, but it's still a difficult time for everyone.

I did find out after my first post that our sister offices experienced some huge layoffs as well, with some of their departments also cut down to one person. So at least on that end, I'm not as alone as I thought I was.