How to Help Your Close Friend or Family Member Who Has Just Been Laid Off

In today's turbulent economic situation, more and more people find themselves being laid off. Chances are that either you yourself have experienced this harsh reality, or you know someone dear to you who has. Finding out that someone has just been laid off immediately brings on another pressing question - 'How could I possibly help?' It is not always easy to know just exactly what to do, and advice such as 'just follow your heart' might be a little bit too vague when you need some practical tips.

Here are a few ideas on what you could do to help someone who has just been laid off:

1. Be their friend-I think that this is the most important thing that you could ever do for them. Show them that you care and don't be afraid to do that, as this show of support is very important, especially when the person who has been laid off seems to have taken it really hard, or their self-esteem was lowered because of it.

2. Be always ready to listen-That simple. Sometimes people need to be able to voice their feelings before they feel better and they just need someone to be there for them and lend an ear. But remember to wait until they are ready to talk, do not try to force them, as it needs to happen on their timing, not on yours.

3. Be attentive to their needs-If they give you a call on a Saturday afternoon and they sound all down, invite them over. Or try to think of something that you could do with them. Often people who have just been laid off and suddenly find themselves having a lot of time, don't know what to do with it. Do all that you can to help them adjust.

4. Offer to help them with research-People who have just lost their job are often overwhelmed with the situation and don't quite know what to do next. Perhaps they need to apply for unemployment benefits. Perhaps they qualify for extra help because they have little kids? Or perhaps they don't know how to write a resume? Or maybe they aren't Internet savvy and doing the necessary research is way over their head? Don't wait around - help if you can.

5. Keep an eye out for a job that might be perfect for them-It takes just a couple extra clicks to look up some job advertisements online and you might stumble upon an offer that might help your friend or family member get a new job! You can also ask your other friends and extended family - perhaps someone knows of a job opening that would be suitable for the person who has just been laid off? You never know and it really doesn't hurt to ask.

6. As I mentioned earlier, people who have just been laid off find themselves with plenty of free time on their hands and don't quite know what to do with it. They can feel bored, isolated and lonely. Invite them out. Invite them over. There are plenty of things that you can do, even if you don't have much money yourself. For example, you could rent a movie and host a movie night. Fun and inexpensive. Or have a game night. Or if you are able to afford it, you can take them out to a restaurant or to go skating. A word of caution on this though - remember that more than likely your jobless friend is broke, so be prepared to pay for them and do it in a discrete way, as not to make them feel embarrassed by your offer.

7. Help with groceries-This tip is a little more down to earth, but people who don't have a job and a lot of money often have problems with buying the food they need. However, there is something that you can do to help them. Invite them over for dinner. Or bring them a surprise bag of groceries (containing a few of the foods that you know they like). Sounds easy enough, doesn't it? But it can be a great help.

8. Help to celebrate special occasions-If your friend who has been laid off has a spouse and their wedding anniversary is coming up, how about giving them a gift card to a restaurant? The ability to go out on that night and celebrate will help them take their minds off reality for a while and help create a precious memory. Or maybe you have an idea for some other gift card that your friend would enjoy? Be creative, as the sky's the limit!

I hope that you'll find some of these tips helpful, but remember - just be sensitive to your friend's situation and be thoughtful. And the most important thing - don't forget to be their friend.

Source:

Author's own experience