How to Support your Colleague Who's Been Laid Off

My career has been a signing bonus and a severance package.

It was scary many years ago when I was laid off for the first time.

Subsequently, I learned how to navigate and get through it with the help of friends and a strong network. Plus, grace and grit.

If you’ve been laid off, you know how it feels. There’s a mix of emotions.

I’m here to remind you that the layoff has nothing to do with you; it’s your employer's lack of strategy and planning.

It has nothing to do with you, even if your name is all over it.

If you’re under 40, you’ve probably never experienced mass layoffs.

If you’ve survived the lay-off, now is not the time to hold back, hide, or wallow in YOUR discomfort.

Now is the time to show up for others.

After watching layoffs, working with hundreds of clients who have shared their layoff experiences, and coaching those who have been laid off, here are the top tips for supporting your colleagues and friends through their layoffs.

Listen

In the immediate aftermath, hold space.

This is not the time for you to offer your war story.

This is not the time to discuss your new tremendous workload due to the layoffs.

If you are asked a direct question or for advice and have experience, share it.

Otherwise, this is the time to let them be heard.

They may have been laid off in a brutal way, or they may have been held with care.

Either way, they are likely to have some big emotions.

They may feel anger, betrayal, or grief (we grieve because we love).

They may also be ridiculously happy.

Two ears, one mouth. Use them proportionately.

Networking

Don’t just say, ‘let me know if I can help?’

You can. Show the F up for them.

Ask them what they are looking for and offer help.

Some may want a friendly ear (see Listen above). Some may take time to reflect on what’s next. Others may need to get back out there.

You can offer to send them articles and job postings and introduce them to people in your network.

Then actually do it. Show up for them.

Golden rule. Due unto others, ya know?

FOMO

Fear of Missing Out.

Depending on their financial situation and yours, this is not a one size fits all solution.

One of the biggest things jobless people experience is losing connection to their industry and professional community.

Often they feel embarrassed or ashamed and don’t know what to say when they attend social events.

Invite them out, and if you can, tell them the drinks are on you, your treat.

They may not take you up on it, but I’m guessing they’ll appreciate it.

If there’s a networking event, invite them and go together.

Having a nice buffer helps in the initial socializing moments at a networking event.

Have ideas on how to support colleagues during a layoff?

Drop them below.

Here's to possibility.