Steps to take when a co-worker is fired
Due to poor economic conditions, many companies are undergoing organizational restructuring and trying to reduce their costs, and obviously reducing their employees is a very big cost reduction. So if your business is starting to lay off employees, there are a few steps you can take to ensure you’re not on the verge of losing your job.
Obviously, the best steps to take would involve increasing your productivity and the quality of your work, but there are some particular actions you can take to avoid losing your job. If possible, start tracking your performance and make sure you are exceeding what your employer asks of you. When companies begin to lay off employees, they keep their strongest employees and let go of their lowest productivity, so if you are exceeding what your employer requires of you, your chance of keeping your job is greater.
If you don’t have an established relationship with your supervisor, you need to quickly start working on it. By simply chatting casually with your supervisor, asking questions about their lives or about the company, you can quickly start to build a little rapport. Also make sure you are spending the right amount of time; obviously for personal reasons this can be difficult for some people, but if possible, make it happen. If you work overtime, it shows your supervisor that you are not afraid to work and that you are dedicated to the company.
Another great idea is to schedule a meeting with your supervisor to talk specifically about the company’s employee termination and how your position concerns you. You could ask your supervisor what steps you could take to increase your chances of keeping your job. By doing this, you will show your supervisor that you have initiative and are dedicated to the company.
If you take whatever steps are necessary to avoid losing your job and still end up getting fired, don’t be surprised. Unfortunately, the economy entered such a recession that many companies had to lay off highly skilled employees, but could no longer pay them. So if you do get fired, remember that it may not be because of your performance, but the company may not be able to pay you.
Another good action step to take is to start a job search. Although you may not lose your position, it is much better to be prepared than surprised. You can start looking for jobs in your local area and get an idea of how difficult it can be for you to find a job again. That way, if you lose your job, you’re already on your way to finding another position so you can reduce the amount of time you’re unemployed.