Handling Survivor's Guilt During Job Lay Offs

The weakened economy has had a significant impact on many workers across the U.S. and around the world as many companies have reduced their workforce in order to stave off closure. Being caught up in a lay off can be difficult to endure especially with the bleak job outlook. However, being left behind can have an equally devastating impact on employees who feel guilty for not losing their job.

The "survivor's guilt" that people might feel when they survive a traumatic event such as combat or a natural disaster is often the same mental anguish or despair felt by employees who survive a company downsizing. And the difficulty is that it isn't going to get better any time soon as current layoffs seem to present more problems and offer less hope since many of the casualties will find it even more difficult to locate new positions. In fact, February 2009 numbers from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics indicate that recent lay offs and separations have reached their highest level in history since the program data first became available back in 1995.

In addition, along with survivor's guilt workers who are not laid off wind up stuck doing their own job along with the work of the departed employees. This can all add up to extra hours at work, a frequently changing work environment, those guilty feelings as well as an ever-present fear that they might be next.

What is important to know is that there are healthy ways of dealing with the situation. Here are four steps to help you if you have been left behind after a company lay off.

Confront it Head On

Pretending like nothing is happening will not make the downsizing stop. Don't be the proverbial ostrich with your head in the sand or allow the fear that the other shoe could drop at any time keep you awake at night. You do yourself and your employer a great disservice

In fact, now is the time to take even better care of you. Be sure to get plenty of sleep, eat the right foods, drink plenty of water and don't forget to exercise; maybe a little kick boxing to release your frustration.

Discuss How You Feel

Whether you talk to family, friends or other stay-behind coworkers, it's important to get your feelings out. You might also consider speaking to a trained professional. That might mean accessing your organization's Employee Assistance Program (EAP) or speaking to the pastor of your church. Wherever you turn, don't hold your feelings inside.

Continue to Do Your Best

Now is not the time to slack off at work. One thing we know is that there is always going to be change. As difficult as downsizing can be, it can often open up other opportunities. You might find yourself with a whole new career or chance to learn something new.

That means you need to keep your eyes and ears open and your nose to the grindstone. Instead of letting it get the best of you, continue doing your best. Show your boss your continued commitment by contributing more than you cost.

Develop a Plan of Action

Ambiguity can be difficult for many. It would be nice to know what is going to happen next and whether or not you should be looking for a new job - outside the company. However, the truth is you should always be looking.

Now that doesn't mean you should be continually interviewing for other jobs. It just means you should keep a finger on the pulse of the job market, keep an updated resume on your home computer and keep your network aware of where you are. That way you will be prepared for whatever comes next.

The truth of the matter is that change is inevitable. You need to be able to shift your priorities and adjust accordingly. It may not always be easy or without hurt, but just as organizations have the ability to change, so do you.