Helping The Laid-Off - Some Dos and Don'ts

Philadelphia Inquirer recognizes that 13.2 million have been fired and it offers these pointers!

There aren't many of us left.

Many of us who haven't been fired or have a family member who has been fired or know someone well who has been fired.

It's tough out there!

And as you face the prospect that YOU might be fired (or as you pick up more work because others around you are no longer there yet the work has to get done), The Philadelphia Inquirer writer Jane M. Von Bergen offers some Dos and Don'ts.

A colleague returns to his desk, white as a ghost. A friend or relative calls with the bad news. You son's summer baseball league coach was just fired. What do you do?

DO acknowledge the loss. Losing a job is as traumatic for some people as the death of a close relative. "I heard the news. I'm very sorry."

Don't just ignore it - someone who assumes you know will feel hurt that you didn't say something.

Even if you feel awkward, saying something is better than saying nothing at all.

And remember: you may be next and you sure want some help getting through this miserable time.

No one ever goes through this without some remaining scars. And we need other people to help us.

So, if others around you are being fired, extend the comfort of caring by expressing your feelings - don't hold back.

And if you decide to get out BEFORE it happens to you, plan what you'll do when gone. Don't want to be "on your own" and THEN decide.

If this short movie can help, let us know. And if there is something we can do to assist you when you're working from home, let us know that too.

Charlie
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http://TakeMeFromTheRatRace.com



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