Downsizing . streamlining . Reinventing . Reorganizing . Merging . Acquiring Joint venturing . Relocating . Restructuring 

Call it what you may, it means someone is going to be out of a job somewhere. It is a crucial step for the economic survival of the company. Whether you are among those laid off or those who remain employed, layoffs are difficult for everybody involved. As companies grow, everyone from the C.E.O to the receptionist must learn to cope with change. 

Change has always been an inevitable part of life, only today the pace of change has increased. We prefer established routines. We feel secure with stable and familiar responsibilities. We dislike uncertainty about our jobs and our future. 

Earlier the norm was that you had a job for life. Today we are in the transitory phase with global transformations and economic fluctuations requiring speedy adjustments. Most businesses today must continually make changes to remain competitive. Downsizings are almost routine and being laid off does not have to reduce your employability -- unless you let it. 

If change is not handled well, additional loss of jobs can occur. Demoralization of the work force; increased worker turnover; decreased cooperation and teamwork; and increased levels of stress, anxiety, absenteeism, illness, and mistakes can follow. 

As an employee, instead of fearing change, resisting it, or hoping it won't ever happen to you, it's much better to prepare yourself mentally for the inevitable changes that are likely to occur. Get ready for it by imagining how to handle the situation if you were laid off. Then, if it happens, you're prepared, you will know what to do. 

Although being laid off today does not carry social stigma it might have in the past; it can be an emotionally scarring and psychologically demeaning experience. Most people in India link their personal identities with their work and derive self-worth from their professional profiles. The sudden termination can ruin your self-esteem and trigger self-destructive depression, rage, righteous indignation, boundless anxiety, a desire to endlessly justify oneself all of which are counter productive. 

If you have lost your job, although traumatic, it is not the worst thing that can happen. Don't panic. Keep in mind that you did not lose your job for poor performance, you have been let go because of poor economic conditions so don't let self-doubt bog you down. Unemployment is a temporary setback; it can be a manageable and temporary transition period. 

"The basic difference between an ordinary man and a warrior is that a warrior takes everything as a challenge while an ordinary man takeseverything either as a blessing or a curse." 

So take this life situation as a challenge and face it head on, you will definitely succeed. 

You can also go through the article 16 Ways to Handle Difficult Conversations about Layoffs 

If you would like to discuss this further or need some help or support in this or any other area, our counsellors would be happy to help. 
 
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