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Your #Career : On Thin Ice ( #JobTermination) ? …. Have you Ever Wondered If you Were on Thin Ice at Work? You are Doing your Job, Contributing to the Company and Even get Good #PerformanceReviews . But Something is Different.

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Have you ever wondered if you were on thin ice at work? You are doing your job, contributing to the company and even get good performance reviews.  But something is different.  You can feel it, but you can’t quite pinpoint it. Maybe you were left out of a meeting. Or someone made an odd remark to you.  You wonder if you’re being paranoid, if you are making a mountain out of a molehill.

To write my book, “Fired:  How to Manage Your Career in the Age of Job Uncertainty” I interviewed 65 people who lost their jobs.  I asked them if they saw it coming.  The vast majority of them said they were completely shocked.  Then, I asked them if looking back, they could see some of the signs.   With hindsight being 20/20, many of them were able to identify warning signs that their jobs were in jeopardy.

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What Skill Sets do You have to be ‘Sharpened’ ?

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One of the biggest signs was changes in interaction patterns at work.  For examples, meetings were canceled or removed from their calendars.  Co-workers avoided them or cut conversations short. There were even out of the blue comments like “Are you still here?”  or “I hope you quit before I have to fire you.”  Most of the time, the people I interviewed said they  brushed off the comments and kept working.  But in hindsight, they could see that these were signs they were about to be let go.

The unfortunate reality is that many people are aware of an impending termination before the employee is told.  Human resources, security, information technology, the supervisor’s manager may be notified  that the dismissal is coming.  Sometimes word leaks out and others become aware.

Knowing someone is about to be let go is awkward.  It’s hard to “act normal.”  People generally don’t want to be fake or lie, so they avoid.  Others make nervous jokes.

The lesson here is: Pay attention to changes in interaction patterns at work and listen to that little voice inside of you telling you something is wrong.  Then develop an exit strategy and a back up plan in case you need them. 

Dr. Nancy Koury King is a guest author on the FSC Career Blog (https://www.firstsun.com/fsc-career-blog/) & is a participating member of the FSC LinkedIn Network ( www.linkedin.com/in/fscnetwork ) . 

As mentioned above, her publication of the book, “Fired:  How to Manage Your Career in the Age of Job Uncertainty”  & is available on Amazon below.

https://www.amazon.com/Fired-manage-your-career-uncertainty/dp/1978407130

 

FSC Career Blog (https://www.firstsun.com/fsc-career-blog)  | March 25, 2018

#Leadership : Take These Steps To Boost Morale After #Layoffs …The #Employees who Remain After a Round of Layoffs will Likely have High #Anxiety. Here’s How to Lessen the Impact & Get Everyone Back on Track.

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You might think that employees who survive layoffs feel lucky or valued, but a study by outplacement provider RiseSmart finds that surviving team members have unique challenges that can hurt their productivity, and 43% of companies are not prepared for the impact.

“Most of the focus is on the employees who are leaving, and that’s understandable,” says Dan Davenport, president and general manager of RiseSmart. “Not enough attention is paid to the impact on the surviving employees by companies.”

Anxiety and a drop in morale are commonly felt, says Davenport. “Employees wonder what’s going to happen next,” he says. “They’re also worried about their former coworkers who are leaving the organization, wondering if they’ll land on their feet. This can lead to a loss of productivity.”

Companies need get in front of the potential impact by putting a plan in place, says Davenport. “You can’t eliminate the impact on productivity and morale when you have a layoff, but you can do a lot of things to minimize impact,” he says.

HAVE A GOOD COMMUNICATION PLAN

Start by sharing as much information about the layoff with the survivors as possible. Most managers aren’t adept at delivering this kind of information, so provide training when necessary, says Davenport. “They need to understand how to address the team,” he says. “Prepare them with messaging and notification training to make sure the process is a smooth one and doesn’t lead to legal liability.”

Be transparent about what is happening, how many people are affected, and how positions were selected, Davenport continues. “Reducing headcount is a business decision,” he says. “Explain how laid-off employees are being cared for, and be transparent about the future. Talk about what to expect when going through stages of transition and how work will be distributed, and discuss the possibility of future layoffs.”

Not delivering the right message or even ignoring it altogether can have a sizeable impact on business; 70% experience a negative impact on future talent acquisition efforts, and 81% report a negative impact on brand, according to the study.

 

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HELP EMPLOYEES DEVELOP RESILIENCY

Another tactic that can help surviving employees move forward is offering lessons in resiliency, suggests Davenport. Consider holding mindfulness training in the office, such as meditation or journaling classes. Learning how to “build in a pause” when reacting to situations will help employees learn how to process information and take out emotion before they react. Engaging in gratitude exercises, such as by journaling, can also increase positive emotions and reduce stress.

“It’s important to help employees keep their focus on the future,” says Davenport.

HOLD ACTIVITIES TO IMPROVE MORALE

Finally, arrange events where employees can get together and share feelings, suggests Davenport. “Employees need to feel safe and comfortable in sharing,” he says. “It takes three months or longer for your surviving team to return to productivity. If you don’t do anything, it can take longer.”

Share your vision of the company’s future and connect each individual employee to the goals you have set, Davenport says. Offer career development, provide coaching, and encourage mentorship programs.

“Employers need to understand that employees who remain will experience the same stages of grief and loss as the employees who were let go,” says Davenport.

FastCompany.com | February 21, 2018 | BY STEPHANIE VOZZA 2 MINUTE READ

Your #Career : 4 Ways to Protect Yourself From a #Layoff …Whether because of #Mergers, #Downsizing, or Organizational Shifts, each Year, Countless Workers Inevitably Find Themselves Losing their #Jobs Through No Fault of their Own.

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Whether because of mergers, downsizing, or organizational shifts, each year, countless workers inevitably find themselves losing their jobs through no fault of their own.

It happens to the most seasoned and dedicated among us, and that’s perhaps the scariest thing about getting laid off — no one is immune. That said, there are certain steps you can take to minimize your chances of getting laid off, and reduce your anxiety along the way.

1. Have a unique skill

Though soft skills — those that apply to virtually any position — are always a good thing to work on, at the end of the day, you’re probably not going to get to keep your job in a round of layoffs by virtue of your solid time-management ability alone. That’s why it pays to work on honing one particular skill you know your company absolutely needs. If you’re an IT professional, maybe it’s a complex software that’s needed to keep the workflow going. If you’re a designer, maybe it’s that cutting-edge graphics program that’s been giving your company its competitive edge. No matter what skill you’re best suited to focus on, if you set yourself apart as the one person who’s an expert in that arena, your company might hesitate to give you the boot.

How to Answer the Question ‘Why Do You Want to Leave Your Current Company?’

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2. Know the business inside and out

Maybe you’re the best copy director your company has ever seen. But if your knowledge base is limited to effective sales pitches, and you’re not well-versed in market research, finances, or analytics, then you might still find yourself out of a job if your company is forced to slash positions. On the other hand, if you make an effort to educate yourself on all aspects of the business, your company will have a much harder time letting you go.

How do you get there? Sit in on other teams’ meetings, and ask to collaborate with various groups on recurring projects. The more exposure you get to different areas of your company and how they work, the more your management team might end up fighting to keep you.

3. Keep up with your business associates

It’s no secret that networking has been proved to help countless searchers land jobs, but many people find themselves networking defensively — that is, they only start reconnecting with contacts once they’re out of a job and need help. But if you make a point to stay in solid touch with your associates regularly, you’ll protect yourself in the face of layoffs in two ways.

First, if you network extensively within your company, you’ll have more people around to speak highly of you, which might spare you from getting the ax. Second, if you have associates you contact regularly, you won’t come across as taking advantage by reaching out for help if you are indeed let go. Or to put it another way, it’s a lot easier to ask a favor of someone you’re in touch with regularly than to sneak up as a blast from the past wanting assistance.

What to Never Say When Networking

4. Boost your emergency savings

Having more money in the bank won’t do a thing to help you avoid losing your job. What it willdo, however, is buy you some peace of mind that if you are let go, you won’t have to immediately resort to credit card debt just to keep up with your finances. Having that stress removed might, in turn, help you focus better at work, thus reducing your chances of landing on the chopping block. Plus, if you are laid off, you’ll be less pressured into taking the first job you find because you’re desperate for money.

Though layoffs are sometimes inevitable, there are things you can do to lower your odds when your company is going through them. If anything, working on the above suggestions will give you someplace to focus your energy so you’re not utterly fixated on the thought of losing your job.

This article was originally published on The Motley Fool. It is reprinted with permission.

Related Links:

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Your #Career : How Getting Fired Could Be the First Step Toward a Better You…Few Things are More Motivating than Losing your Job. Don’t Squander this Opportunity to Learn About Yourself and Embrace a New Direction.

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Getting fired can feel like rejection or the painful end of something. It certainly doesn’t feel good. It can cause you to go into protective mode and tell yourself a story that wasn’t your fault. It also can lead you to beat yourself up for not meeting expectations.

Laid off Worker with Box

People get fired for many reasons. Perhaps the business wasn’t doing well and needed to cut costs or restructure. Maybe your boss really was an idiot and the two of you didn’t get along — so you subtly self-sabotaged yourself. Or maybe the job wasn’t serving you. Think back. Did you find yourself wasting time because your heart wasn’t in it? Did you get complacent and flatline instead of looking for ways to challenge and motivate yourself?

Whatever the situation, I guarantee you will be better off somewhere else in the long run.

Grieve. Then get moving.

Allow yourself to grieve for a short time. Then, stop feeling sorry for yourself and start to look on the bright side: You now have countless opportunities to consider.

Getting fired isn’t the end of the world. It isn’t even the end of your career. If it was unexpected, odds are there’s no predetermined path laid out for you. Take this opportunity to assess and regroup. What is it that you truly want to be doing? Are you satisfied in your current career, or do you need to pivot?

Most important, remember you have it within you to bounce back — with new self-knowledge that will help you become stronger than ever before.

You might want to look into specialty training or further education. Or maybe you need time off to do some soul-searching. Whatever you decide, realize you now have many different paths from which to choose. More than one is bound to make your life more fulfilling than it was at the job you left behind.

Related: 6 Habits That Turn Dreams Into Reality

Success breeds complacency.

Oftentimes people who reach a certain level of success cease to strive for more. Their basic needs are met. You might linger for years in a job that’s only mildly fulfilling you. If you’re thinking, “It can’t get much better than this,” you’re functioning but not really really thriving.

Getting fired gives you a different perspective. Take a look at your life and your next moves with fresh eyes and a beginner’s excitement. What else might you want out of a job that would make you passionately excited to get up every morning? You — and your eventual employer — deserve more than just complacency.

Related: Getting Fired Was Step One to Increasing My Pay 1,000% in 3 Months

 

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Failure is your best teacher.

Absolutely none of the world’s most successful people took a straight, smooth, always-upward path. Taking risks and reaching for something more naturally means you will get turned down and endure rejection. In fact, stretching beyond your job description could be the reason you got fired from the position that didn’t fit.

Failure isn’t an end, and it certainly doesn’t mean there’s anything wrong with you. Failure teaches resilience, empathy, and self-confidence. The experience is painful, but the lesson it teaches can be quite a gift.

Related: A Special Guide to Growing Stronger, Feeling Better, and Bouncing Back After Failure

“Failure is neutral — it’s how you emotionally hold it inside of yourself that is not,” says Ashley Stahl, a career coach to millennials. “In truth, failure is just feedback that it’s time for you to course-correct. Use failure as an opportunity to evaluate where you add the most value as a worker, and celebrate the fact that you’re not great at everything.”

Be honest with yourself so you can move forward.

So, what do you do now that you’ve been fired? You can look ahead by being honest about your past. Ask yourself the hard questions — the ones whose answers might reveal you bear some responsibility.

What could you have done better? What part did you play in getting fired? Would you be happy at a different job in the same field, or might you actually want to do something else?

Look at the pros and cons of your last job.

What did you love? What did you hate? Did you like the culture, or do you need something different? Smaller, larger, more service-oriented?

As best you can, isolate the characteristics you most want in your next job. Otherwise, you risk falling into something that looks just OK. Real progress means you’re moving closer to fulfillment, not just into another position that won’t engage you on a deeper level.

Start making phone calls.

Call your friends, if you haven’t already. Let them know you’re looking for a job in your sector or primed for something new. Networking is your lifeline. Your friends, family members, and colleagues should know a skilled and employable rock star is available to join their team. Take all the introductions, advice, and sympathetic ears offered.

Most important, remember you have it within you to bounce back — with new self-knowledge that will help you become stronger than ever before.

 

Entrepreneur.com | November 17, 2016 | Murray Newlands

 

Your #Career : Getting Fired Was Step 1 to Increasing My Pay 1,000% in 3 Months…”Gulp.” My Boss had just Told Me the Company was Going in a Different Direction when that Embarrassing Sound Squelched from my Throat.

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Though I had under $3,000 in savings and no immediate prospects, I wasn’t devastated. I was relieved.

free- Office Space

Movie: Office Space

I’d been blogging for a premium men’s site for nearly a year. After writing four 800-word articles a day for months, I was burned out, bleary eyed and begging for the end. My heart had abandoned the work. I knew I wasn’t growing as a writer because my only challenge was to eek through the day without going cross-eyed.

I needed a wake-up call.

Luckily, I got canned. My newfound joblessness made me evaluate what I was doing. It forced me into action. Having stashed $3,000 in the bank, I had two months to plan and execute something better than churning out bad articles for peanuts, or I’d be homeless.

Here are three factors that shaped my plan.

I knew I couldn’t skimp out on quality to make a living because it had just gotten me fired. It also caused me to hate writing.
I refused to work with one-dimensional clients, who would sooner fire me than help me grow as a writer.
And I needed to work with real people in real life. The faceless business relationships had gotten me quick cash, but I still hadn’t found the security I needed to flourish as a writer. I wanted to be needed on a team where my growth was valued as much as my contributions.
Considering all this, I put a massive effort into getting the right clients and being the right writer. Here’s what I did.

 

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I looked for the right clients.
I spent four hours a day researching the best companies within 100 miles of my home in Albuquerque. I poured through different companies’ websites and marketing materials to see where I could be useful. When I found a good match, I’d spend a couple hours drafting the perfect proposal for how I could enhance their business.

Then I made a couple daily cold calls to the companies I really wanted to work for – to let them know I was serious. I also scoured the local newspapers to see which businesses were doing cool things I could feel good about supporting.

I improved as a writer.
Two months of expenses gave me a bit of breathing room but not enough to be comfortable. I knew I had to improve as a writer and make myself indispensable, or I’d be broke and begging for change. So I learned about my profession as if my life depended on it. It helped that my life actually depended on it.

When I wasn’t researching new companies and drafting new pitches, I was nose-deep in any writing book I could get my hands on, such as The Elements of Style and Sin and Syntax. When my eyes got too tired to read, I practiced what I learned writing for authority websites and random freelance gigs. I disciplined myself to spend four hours a day each on learning, writing and job hunting.

Far from getting burnt out, I got hungrier for success. Job hunting landed me interviews with some of the best companies in town, where I met with creative directors and marketing managers. They showed interest in my work, and it motivated me to keep pushing ahead.

Because I had put so much effort into improving as a writer and approaching new companies, I had faith that I’d land the right job.

If you’re looking for job security, a bigger paycheck and better opportunities, just remember the the most important word you’ll ever read: Quality.

I increased my pay.
At precisely the time my savings ran out, I was hired by a wellness company that I’d put days into researching and pitching.

The marketing manager and I were about the same age, and we liked each other. I was excited to be her go-to writer. The company brought me on for in-house copywriting and editing, which I had zero experience in. But, because of my portfolio, my dedication and the sincerity of my interviews, the company had faith in my ability to add value to their team.

I started writing articles at $450 per piece and editing at $45 an hour, which gave me time to put my best effort into the work. Sometimes I’d spend five hours writing and refining. Sometimes I’d spend seven. But I never submitted a piece that I wasn’t completely satisfied with.

Because I shifted my focus to quality, I wowed my colleagues and cemented myself as the writer who knew his craft. And instead of getting fired over the phone, I was asked to collaborate on bigger projects. I even was referred to other businesses in the community.

Today I earn 10 times more than I used to because I bring 10 times the value. And after devoting so much of my time to learning and improving, I’m confident in that value. So are the companies who hire me.

Here are 10 things I do differently now.
I constantly encourage myself, and challenge myself to become better.

I visualize the businesses I want to work with; how excited they are to work with me; how good it feels to be needed; and how accomplished I feel while writing my best.

I write and edit for several hours each day – no matter what.

I limit my use of social media, email and text messages, committing to hours of real work before checking any incoming information.

I read as much about writing as I write, and I read great authors to break down their style.

I never rush myself. For every article published I spend many hours over several weeks writing, revising, editing and polishing. I only submit work that increases my reputation.

I take care of my body through diet and exercise so that I have the energy to focus for hours on end.

I give myself time to detach completely from work and relax. I recharge by meditating, listening to classical music, going for walks and playing my favorite sports. If quality work means taking care of my personal needs for most of the day, then I just do less work.

I choose quality friends because I know they influence my behavior. So if I have a choice to be around complacent and underachieving people, or to be alone, I choose the latter. In the words of George Washington, “It is far better to be alone than to be in bad company.”

I journal. Every night I reflect on what I did, how well I did it, where I need to improve and what I can accomplish tomorrow.

I increased my pay by 1000 percent in three months by learning as much as I could, by disciplining myself to improve as a writer and by finding the employers who would invest in my best work. My quality of life skyrocketed along with my quality of work.

If you’re looking for job security, a bigger paycheck and better opportunities, just remember the the most important word you’ll ever read: Quality.

 

Entrepreneur.com | July 25, 2016 | Daniel Dowling

#Leadership : 5 Signs it’s Time to Fire Your Problem Employee…As a Manager, It’s your Job to Deal with Tough Employees.

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Career Guidance

About The Author

Ashley Faus is a marketing professional at a presentation company in Mountain View, CA. She writes about corporate, marketing, and MBA topics on her blog, consciouslycorporate.com. When she’s not in classes for her MBA, Ashley enjoys working out, scrapbooking, and performing in musicals.

Your #Career : Best Money Moves When You Get Laid Off…The First Quarter of 2016 saw 76% More Job Cuts than the Last Quarter of 2015

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If you’ve ever been laid off, you know how it stings. I’ve been there, too, and, sadly, growing numbers of workers have lost their jobs lately. The first quarter of 2016 saw 76% more job cuts than the last quarter of 2015, according to global outplacement consultancy Challenger, Gray & Christmas.

fired-layoffs-let-go-box-leaving-work-3

If you become an unfortunate victim, you’ll have a myriad of financial decisions to deal with pronto. And they’ll demand clear thinking. So, just in case a job loss happens to you — or if it recently did — here are nine money moves you need to make:

1. Ask the nitty-gritty questions. Find out whether “any severance is being offered, whether the company has a written severance policy, when your insurance will be cut off, and — possibly most importantly — why you are being fired,” says Donna Ballman, author of Stand Up for Yourself Without Getting Fired. “You’ll need this information when you apply for unemployment, if you want to talk to an attorney about potential legal claims, when you apply for a new job and when you have your next doctor’s visit,” counsels Ballman.

(More: 5 Ways to Prepare for a Possible Job Loss)

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2. Get your employment-related financial stuff. If it’s not a quick shuffle out of the building with Security or HR, tap into your computer and make copies of: documentation of anything your employer owes you (say, commissions and bonuses); any employment agreements, confidentiality agreements and non-compete agreements you signed; your performance reviews, commendations, awards, disciplines, recommendation letters and anything else about your work that might be useful to a lawyer or to your state unemployment compensation agency, advises Ballman.

3. Scrutinize any severance agreement. It could contain a non-compete clause blocking you from working at certain places, for example. “Be clear on the restrictions you’re agreeing to in exchange for a severance payout. Be certain you aren’t giving up vested benefits. The agreement should clearly state the status and amounts of your 401(k), stock options or pensions,” says Ballman.

(More: Don’t Let a Job Loss Harm Your Retirement)

Your best move is to tell HR or your boss that you need some time to evaluate any severance agreement. If you’re being asked to sign something you don’t fully understand, don’t. First, talk to an employment lawyer; you can find one near you at the National Employment Lawyers Association website.

4. Examine your final paycheck. “You may be entitled to payout of all your accrued paid time off or vacation pay if the company doesn’t have a use-it-or-lose-it policy or if your state requires it,” says Ballman. If you’re paid by the hour, check to be sure you’ve been compensated for all the hours and overtime you worked.

5. Line up health insurance. Many employers cut off your health insurance the day you lose your job; some continue it to the end of the month. Initially, if you don’t have a spouse or partner’s health plan to fall back on, you might opt for landing coverage through COBRA (The Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act), which lets you to buy it under your ex-employer’s group plan, generally for 18 to 36 months.

Some employers subsidize or pay the entire cost of health coverage, including COBRA coverage, for terminating employees and their families as part of a severance agreement. You’ll have 60 days to decide whether to sign up for COBRA; the insurance is retroactive to your loss of coverage date.

Your other option: buy an individual health plan from your state insurance marketplace or directly from an insurer.

Losing job-based coverage is a “qualifying life event,” allowing you to enroll anytime, not just during the normal Open Enrollment period.

If you’ll need health insurance between the time you lose your job-based coverage and when a Marketplace policy starts (for example, you or a family member needs medical care), you may want to sign up for COBRA, since it’ll continue providing benefits until your Marketplace plan kicks in.

6. Consider replacing any employer-sponsored life or disability insurance you had. If you purchased either type of coverage this way, you may want to buy your own policy now. If so, compare prices by using online insurance brokers such as Accuquote.com, FindMyInsurance.com, andLifeInsure.com.

7. File for unemployment insurance. “Some people hesitate to apply,” says Ballman. “Why? It’s your money. What do you think they’ve been paying in from your paycheck all this time? It may not be a lot of money, but it will help tide you over.” Apply by contacting your state’s unemployment agency as soon as you are fired or laid off.

Whether you’ll qualify for unemployment benefits depends on your state. To check your local law, visit the “Find Local Help” area of the U.S. Department of Labor’s CareerOneStop site. Before taking any freelance assignments or a part-time job, read your state’s unemployment insurance rules; some work may reduce your benefit.

8. Be sure you get all your vested retirement funds. Any of your 401(k) contributions belong to you, of course, but your employer’s contributions (or matches) typically must be vested before they’re yours. You’ll vest, or own, a certain percentage of your employer’s contributions each year once you qualify for them.

9. Manage your retirement account. Chances are, when you leave your employer, you’ll want to transfer your accumulated retirement savings to aself-directed IRA that offers you more investment choices.

After you receive the funds from your employer plan, you have 60 days to complete the rollover to an IRA or other tax-deferred plan. Wait too long and the amount will be taxed as ordinary income; if you were younger than 59½ when the distribution occurred, you’ll face a 10% penalty, too. A direct rollover straight to an IRA or a plan at your next employer is best, so the money never comes into your hands. Ask your plan administrator to make the payment directly to another retirement plan or to an IRA.

You can, alternatively, leave the money in your ex-employer’s plan, and sometimes that’s more cost effective. Large corporations often negotiate with financial service firms for lower fees than you can get on your own in an IRA account.

My advice: Meet with a financial adviser to figure out what’s best for you. As a rule, I think an adviser should have the Certified Financial Planner designation, awarded by the nonprofit Certified Financial Planner Board of Standards.

Just don’t cash out your 401(k) balance. If you do, you’ll owe income tax on any withdrawals and possibly that 10% penalty. As I wrote in this Next Avenue post, extracting retirement money before retirement is a weighty problem; nearly 45% of workers cash out their retirement accounts when changing jobs, according to the Women’s Institute for Secure Retirement (WISER).

The last thing you need after losing your job is a wallop from the Internal Revenue Service.

Forbes.com | May 1, 2016 | Kerry Hannon, Contributor

Your #Career : 14 things to Do as Soon you Realize you’re About to be Fired…Most People are Shocked when they Hear the Words “You’re Fired” Come Out of their Boss’s Mouth. They’re Blindsided by the News Because They didn’t Have their Eyes Open — or Perhaps they Just Chose to Ignore the Signs.

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But the savviest professionals always keep an eye out for the classic signs that their job is in danger. This way, if and when they notice red flags popping up, they can attempt to turn the tides before it’s too late, says Lynn Taylor, a national workplace expert and the author of “Tame Your Terrible Office Tyrant: How to Manage Childish Boss Behavior and Thrive in Your Job.”

Man Fired

 

Don’t panic.

Here’s what to do as soon as you realize you’re about to get the boot. These tips may not save you from getting fired — but they just might help:

Ask your boss for honest feedback.

“Even it’s not what you want to hear, not knowing is worse than knowing,” says Kerr.

Take note of what needs to change, adds Taylor. “Submit an action plan and timeline to your boss and get their sign-off. Don’t be afraid to ask questions, and don’t be defensive. Stay in contact with your manager and set up regular status check-in meetings for the future.”

Don’t trust everything your boss says.

It’s definitely worth talking to your boss, but remember that they may not give you an honest answer about whether your job is on the line.

Take whatever they say with a grain of salt.

 

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Don’t panic.

If you think you’re about to be fired, it’s natural to freak out. “But remember that firing signs can also be false reads,” Taylor says. “Sometimes rumors spread like wildfire, disrupting departments until you bravely approach your boss.”

Before you draw any wild conclusions and begin to drive yourself crazy, talk to your boss. “Don’t consult other employees for any insight into your future; go straight to the source to get a read on your performance,” she suggests.

Initiate a conversation in a neutral setting with your boss.

This is the perfect opportunity to raise your concerns, ask questions, and to see if there is anything you can or should be doing to help improve the chances of you retaining your position, advises Michael Kerr, an international business speaker and author of “The Humor Advantage.”

“Come with an open mind, and with constructive suggestions. Be open to exploring creative options such as lateral transfers. Offer to help out during this time of transition. Maintaining the perspective that you care about the company and want to do what’s best for the company will help you score points in the eyes of senior leaders.”

 

Do your best work possible.

Try not to be distracted by negativity, as hard as that might be. “Focus on performing to the best of your ability,” says Taylor. “That is the strongest form of job security you have.”

 

Step up your game.

In addition to doing your best work, you’ll also want to step up your game in other ways.

“Now is definitely the time take extra initiative,” Kerr says. “Offer more input than normal. Volunteer for extra duties and roles. Demonstrate that you truly are a team player. Even if a layoff is imminent, maintain a respectful and professional demeanor so that you can leave with your head held high and knowing that you’ll get a positive referral from your boss.”

Taylor also suggests putting in a few extra hours each week to show that you’re dedicated. “It’s harder for managers to let go of people who show commitment.”

 

Keep your boss and others in the loop.

Let those you report to know the status of your projects on a regular basis, says Taylor. “Also offer next steps and ask for feedback regularly.”

Brush up on necessary skills.

If you feel you could advance your cause by taking a course, now may be a good time. “Perhaps not having a competitive skill set has held you back,” says Taylor. “If nothing else, this will be an asset for your future marketability.”

 

Get stronger (mentally and physically).

View this challenge as a time to gain a stronger physical and mental mindset, says Taylor.

“Sometimes facing obstacles can be the moment of a complete turnaround and catapult you to a new level of success. It may or may not be at this company, but you can give it your best shot by being on the top of your game.

“Make sure you’re working out, eating right, and getting enough sleep. You want to produce solid results and make wise decisions, so give yourself the best odds.”

 

Document everything.

Keeping an electronic file of your work and correspondence is a good policy regardless of your status at your job, says Taylor. “It can come in handy if you have a boss with no legitimate reason to fire you,” she explains. “Also keep kudos that have accumulated from managers, clients, colleagues, business associates, and vendors. You will be well-prepared should you need to refute a poor evaluation.”

Robert Dilenschneider, author of “50 Plus!: Critical Career Decisions for the Rest of Your Life,” agrees. “I would advise you to document everything. Often a company wants to push someone out rather than fire them and have to pay severance or unemployment benefits. If you have a contract that stipulates what you will receive if you are fired, tough it out and don’t quit.”

 

Stay visible.

“Contrary to what some may think, if you feel your job is at risk, you won’t want to fade from view,” says Taylor. Rather than trying to fly under the radar, do whatever you can to stay visible and active at your company.

“Volunteer for projects, help others, make visits, and stay aware,” she says. “Externally, become active on LinkedIn and in the business community — and consider blogging for online industry publications.”

 

Never assume you are safe.

Even if you take all these steps, don’t assume you’re safe.

“Make sure your résumé is up to date,” suggests Kerr. “Take advantage of training opportunities that might still be available that would help bolster your chances of getting a new job if the worst comes to pass.

“Plan your finances; consider the range of options available to you and talk to your spouse so it doesn’t come as a complete shock if and when a layoff happens.”

And, he says, embrace the notion that many of the most successful people on the planet were once fired from their jobs. Maintain the perspective that this can mean a whole new and exciting chapter for you and use it as motivation to move on to something bigger and better and even to pursue a dream you’ve previously sidelined.”

 

Start working on your résumé and looking for references.

If there’s a chance you’ll soon lose your job, you’d be wise to begin working on your résumé and visiting job boards … just in case.

Also, begin to feel out if anyone you work with would be able to give you a good reference. “It doesn’t have to be your immediate supervisor,” says Dilenschneider. “It could be someone you have worked with for many years who is willing to support you when you start looking for a new job.”

But tread carefully. If your employer finds out you’re on the search for a new job, they may see you as a flight risk, which could be bad if they weren’t planning on firing you in the first place.

Decide if the job is worth fighting for.

If you know you’re doing a good job but are unhappy, don’t waste all your energy on convincing your employer not to fire you.

“It may be hard to imagine now, but if this is the case, you may well come to thank the employer for your parting of the ways,” says Taylor. “Take this opportunity to re-evaluate if you’re on the right career path. Take note of your true passion and skill sets, and visit your favorite job boards.”

 

Businessinsider.com | March 23, 2016 |  

 

 

 

Your #Career : 6 Honest Mistakes That Will Get You #Fired …There are So Many Things that can Get Good, Hard-Working People Fired. Honest Mistakes Often carry Hard-Hitting Consequences.

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A recent study from the ePolicy Institute surveyed more than 300 companies and found that a third of them have fired employees for the misuse of company technology. Companies are so worried about employee abuse of technology that 45% of those surveyed admitted that they track employee technology use (some all the way down to the keystroke), yet only two U.S. states require employers to notify employees when they’re monitoring them.

Free- Bubble on the Bubble

When it comes to reasons for getting fired, digital faux pas steal the spotlight. Every week, it seems, we read about someone getting fired for something they posted on social media.

“The real problem is not whether machines think but whether men do.” -B.F. Skinner

But digital media is far from the only way that people slip up and lose their jobs. People get fired all the time for seemingly innocent mistakes. While we snicker behind our coffee cups at the more egregious examples, there are still plenty of other ways to get fired that may surprise you.

1. Over-Promising And Under-Delivering

You made an implied promise when you accepted your job. You implicitly promised that you were capable of fulfilling all of the job’s responsibilities. Accepting a job when you know you’re not qualified catches up with you. Even when you are qualified, telling your boss you’re making great progress when you aren’t or committing to a deadline you know you can’t meet makes you look bad. Don’t be surprised if you get fired for failing to do everything you said you could do.

2. Negativity

You were hired to make your boss’ and your team’s jobs easier, not harder. People who constantly spread negativity through their department, complain about others, and whine that the work’s too hard or isn’t part of their job description complicate things for everyone else. Those who make their boss’ life harder are usually the first ones to go. Having to tiptoe around you so as not to dislodge that massive chip on your shoulder isn’t something he or she is likely to be willing to do for very long.

 

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3. Solicitation

Whether you’re sending out emails inviting co-workers to your party or hanging up an order form for your child’s school fundraiser, you could be violating company policy. Don’t assume that you’re in the clear just because other people are doing it—this type of policy violation is what managers hang their hats on when they’re unhappy with an employee’s performance.

4. A Lack Of Emotional Intelligence

Everyone knows that you can get fired for being unable or unwilling to play nicely with others, but what trips up a lot of people is having a poorly developed poker face. If everyone can tell when you’re bored or irritated or that you think something a colleague is saying is stupid, this will catch up with you. Emotional outbursts, belittling others, shutting co-workers down when they speak, and just generally being a jerk are other ways a lack of emotional intelligence will leave you looking for work.

5. Misusing Company Supplies Or Resources

Many people don’t think twice about taking a pack of printer paper home when they’ve run out or using the company’s FedEx account to mail a last-minute holiday gift. However, in the eyes of your employer, this is stealing. Abusing company resources is a serious offense, even if the monetary value of the item doesn’t add up to much. Catching you in the act can also be a good excuse if your boss is looking to fire you. It’s a lot easier to document and justify firing someone for stealing than it is to fire them because they are just OK at their job.

6. Speaking On Behalf Of The Company

This isn’t just about sending out an unauthorized press release or venting on the company Twitter account, because most people already realize that these types of things will get them fired. I’m talking about answering a question when a reporter sticks a microphone in your face or identifying yourself as an employee of the company when sharing your personal opinions online. This creates the perception that you’re speaking as a representative of the company, even when you aren’t trying to, and that’s definitely something that can get you fired.

Bringing It All Together

A lot of people make the mistake of thinking that they can only be fired for getting caught making one huge misstep, such as sexually harassing a colleague or bad-mouthing the boss. The reality is that it’s usually not that dramatic.

What’s the oddest or smallest thing that you’ve seen someone fired for? Please share your thoughts in the comments section below as I learn just as much from you as you do from me.

Travis co-wrote the bestselling book Emotional Intelligence 2.0 and co-foundedTalentSmart.

 

Forbes.com | March 22, 2016 | Travis Bradberry

 

Your #Career : 7 Signs You’re Going to Get Fired…Sometimes, Firings Really Do Come Out of Nowhere. But Often There are Signs that your Job is in Jeopardy Long Before you’re Officially Told you’re Being Terminated. If you’re Seeing Any of the Following Signs at your Office, it Could Be Time to Start Updating your Resume.

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Few people are excited to hear they’re losing their job. But even worse than being on the receiving end of a pink slip is an unexpected firing. You think everything is rosy at work, until your boss calls you into the corner office and lets you know you’re being let go. Being blindsided by a firing is damaging to your self-esteem and can make it harder to get back on your feet and get your career back on track.

Free- Under a Bridge

Sometimes, firings really do come out of nowhere. But often there are signs that your job is in jeopardy long before you’re officially told you’re being terminated. If you’re seeing any of the following signs at your office, it could be time to start updating your resume.

1. Your coworkers are acting weird

Sometimes, it’s easier for people outside of a situation to see the writing on the wall. If your office mates suddenly start forgetting to invite you to meetings, leaving you out of important email chains, and giving you pitying looks in the break room, be wary.

Coworkers who start treating you like a pariah may suspect that you’re on the way out the door, perhaps because they’re plugged into the office grapevine. Once you end up on management’s bad side, people may steer clear to avoid being tainted by association. Or if colleagues suddenly have a lot of questions about how you do your work, it may be because they suspect they’ll soon be taking on your assignments.

“Most often your peers already know, and the firing is only a surprise to the one getting canned,” Robert C. McMillan, author of The Next Gen Leader, told Men’s Health.

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2. A computer could do your job

If a computer could do your work just as well – or better – than you can, watch out. While fears that a robot could take your job might sound more like science fiction than reality, they’re not something to brush off, especially if your field is in the midst of big technological change. Remember, your company has little incentive to keep you on if there’s technology that is easier to manage than an actual person and cheaper to boot.

“If the type of work that you do can be done by a machine instead of a person, you may need to look for another type of job. It’s usually just a matter of time before your company decides that a machine can do your job for less money,” Cheryl Palmer of Call to Career told Monster.

3. Your responsibilities are shrinking

If projects and assignments that you once managed are being handed off to other employees or eliminated entirely, don’t get too excited about all the extra free time you suddenly have. Gradually making you a less essential part of the team could be a sign that your company is preparing to let you go.

“If you’re a high-level employee and they put you on a special assignment and take away other responsibilities so you can focus on that ‘special assignment,’ start fixing up your résumé, because you’re on your way out the door,” Suzanne Lucas, a former HR executive and the Evil HR Lady, told Reader’s Digest.

4. Your performance reviews are slipping

Quarterly or annual performance reviews may be a way for your supervisor to give you feedback on how you’re doing your job, but they also protect your employer. If you were warned about problems with your performance during your most recent review and have failed to improve, you’ll have a harder time making a case for wrongful termination.

A single bad performance review doesn’t necessarily mean your job is toast, but if you don’t take the warning seriously and shape up, you could be in trouble. And if you’re put on a performance improvement plan, that can be an even bigger red flag.

“If you’re put on a performance-improvement plan, you’re cooked. I might look you in the eye and say we’re going to do everything possible to make this work, but that’s just total BS,” an anonymous HR director at financial services firm told Reader’s Digest.

5. Your relationship with your boss has changed

Increasing conflict with your boss is definitely a sign that things aren’t alright at the office. But if your once-chummy supervisor has stopped inviting you out to lunch, is less friendly or communicative in meetings, or is distant when you stop to chat in the break room, that’s also cause for concern. It could be he knows you’re about to get fired and it’s making him treat you differently.

“Humans, no matter how polished and experienced they are, if they are uncomfortable with a situation, will start to subtly shun it,” Stephanie Daniel, a senior vice president with Keystone Associates, a human resources consulting firm, told Fast Company.

6. You’re receiving more critical feedback in writing

If notes and emails picking apart your work suddenly start landing in your inbox, watch out. Documenting problems with your performance in this way could be a sign that your job is on the line.

“If your manager used to give you feedback in person but now she’s putting critical feedback in emails or memos, it’s possible that she’s creating a paper trail to build a case for firing you,” Alison Green of the “Ask a Manager” blog wrote in an article for U.S. News & World Report.

7. You feel that something isn’t right

While you may not be able to pinpoint the specific warning signs, if your gut is telling you that something is up at the office, you should listen. A general feeling that something is off – perhaps due to subtle changes in company culture or shifts in your job duties — could indicate you’re moving to the top of the “to fire” list.

“You will feel things and your job is not to judge or pooh-pooh them but to let them sit in your right brain and percolate for a few days. Is there a change in the air temperature? If so, you’ve got to mention it,” wrote Liz Ryan, the CEO and founder of Human Workplace, in a LinkedIn post.

While you’re trying to figure out if your gut is right, you’ll also want to take control of the situation by getting ready for a job search.

“If you can self-assess that staying with the organization is going to cause you some inordinate amount of stress, you’re better off making the move earlier rather than later,” Michael Townshend, owner of Carpe Diem Coaching,told Daily Worth.

 

 

CheatSheet.com | February 1, 2016 | 

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