How to Tell Whether You Will be Laid Off
When job security becomes a concern, employees try to get any edge that they can in the workplace, in an attempt to save their jobs at any costs. Yet employers can readily pinpoint which employees they want to keep and which employees they want to let go. As profits are squeezed, employers are working hard to cut down whatever costs they can. This includes cutbacks in employment and layoffs. How do they identify desirable employees? These employees are those who are able to:
- Identify what can turn against them. The first step in job protection may be to identify the skills that have the potential of being perceived negatively and used against you. For instance, an employee’s strong communication skills, which are usually considered a very strong asset, may be perceived negatively if it is felt that he or she are too vocal about their fears. Others may take it as a sign of inability to deal with pressure. Similarly, a strong temper may be taken as a sign of not having enough control.
- Get noticed. One sure-fire way to secure your job is to demonstrate initiative. Take on additional projects that allow you to showcase your skills to your bosses, or which will provide you with additional skills. Make sure that your hard work gets noticed, so that you come across as indispensible to the company. If necessary, send emails to the boss, clearly highlighting the contributions that you have made. Provide higher authorities with a copy of every idea you come up with, or every task that you do, so that others are unable to take the credit for your efforts.
- Keep up-to-date. Keep up-to-date with new technologies, trends and best practices, so that you are considered an asset to the company, not a liability.
