“From Stability to Uncertainty: The Psychological Impact of Abrupt Job Loss”
Chikita B. Mann MSN RN CCM
Registered Nurse | Author | Work Comp Case Mgmt SME | Health Content Creator | Registered NC and TN, Work Comp | CareManagement Editorial Board | GA Catastrophic Rehabilitation Supplier
Today’s issue of #workcompWednesday addresses an underlying and unaddressed factor in an unfortunate situation – the traumatic impact of being laid off. I know some will wonder why this topic needs to be addressed. Involuntary separation of employment (i.e. being laid off) significantly decreases employee morale, leading to feelings of anxiety, insecurity, and "survivor guilt" among remaining employees, often resulting in reduced productivity. Decreased employee morale in turn can lead to increased worker compensation claims and resistance to returning to work from a work related injury.
Layoffs are sadly occurring more than we like to see and admit. I was laid off in 2020 due to the pandemic and to be transparent, it was embarrassing and traumatizing. I want to shed some light on why it was traumatizing.
For the person being laid off, it is a loss. And you do experience all five stages of grief and may linger in one of those stages for longer than you need to. Many don’t understand – it is not just an income loss. It is a loss of access to healthcare (as most have their health insurance connected to their job) and work friends (who have supported you through your good and bad and vice versa). One feel betrayed to a certain degree especially if it just come “out of the blue”. You question how loyal you are to be to the next job and may not establish meaningful relationships with new co-workers.
One major thing I noticed that was very disheartening is how people treat you when you are laid off. Our society has a way of ostracizing individuals based on what has happened to them. Being laid off usually reveals the acquaintances and the true friends in your life.
Being laid off makes you question your identity and where you belong. For most (for good or bad), a person's identity is affected by their occupation, and it shapes how they behave and perform on and off the job. One’s occupation provides validation of skills, intelligence and worth. To be suddenly laid off can make one question their career choice(s), their ability to find new employment and job availability.
For the people that remain, they are also experiencing a loss – a loss of work and personal support. They may also have an increased workload and feel a lack of closure. They can feel like trust is broken and anxiety about upcoming changes.
When I think back on my experience, I also experienced empathy for the person who was designated to tell me I was laid off. I could hear in their voice that it did affect them. I can’t imagine having to be the one to tell someone that they no longer have a job.
If you have been laid off – my heart aches for you as I still freshly remember how it affected me then and now.
If you know someone that has been laid off – be willing to be a shoulder to lean on. Be patient, compassionate and understanding.
Thanks for reading #workcompWednesday!!!
Design-thinking Nurse Innovator, CCM, RN + MBA in clinical product & digital health tech. Experienced leader of large healthcare initiatives, multinational teams & nurse-led innovation. #Informatics
4 分钟前Chikita B. Mann MSN RN CCM—I am shouting a resounding yes from the rafters. I totally agree with all of what you said here. I was there and could identify with what you said about how Society values you for being unemployed. I remember this one specific case where I voluntarily left a position, which, to be clear, is not the same as being laid off; however, I remember thinking so much about running into people and worrying about how to answer. What are you doing now? The truth was I was searching for jobs and living off my savings. But inherently, I felt such shame, particularly around the reason why I left the job. There are all these hidden elements that are just complicated and traumatic. So, I make it a point now not to even bring it up. If I see someone, I just hug their neck, ask them what we're going to have for lunch, and keep pushing. Thank you for putting this out broadly. I hope that it’s been healing for you. You are who you are regardless of any space that you’re in. I had to tell myself last week that I am qualified regardless of what others perceive, see, or don’t see.
Content Writer, Nurse Advocate, Blogger, Digital Journalist
1 小时前I was laid off once in my 40+ years as a nurse. I was unsurprised, as our company was slow and we had too many people to meet the workload. I was the only one in our group who was not bilingual, which was the rationale for it. Being laid off was the impetus I needed to move into independent practice and a few areas of practice as a Nurse Case Manager. I won't say it did not hurt, but it pushed me to do something I might not have done as I was comfortable in the role I was working in. Sometimes, you need that push. My lesson from this was to keep your skills up, network, and always look for the next steps.....
International speaker & author on the intersection of chronic pain and appropriate treatment | Consultant
4 小时前Thanks, Chikita B. Mann MSN RN CCM, for sharing. I too was laid off in July 2021 - the only time that had ever happened to me in 41 years of a professional career. What you described for your situation is common to all, including my own experience. However, I have found that the vast majority of time this happens, the person ends up in a Better Situation. Whether that's a better job, a career change, new relationships, or even launching a new business (like me), a majority of people I've chatted with found this forced self-assessment nudged their professional and personal development forward. The image in my head during that journey was a mama bird kicking the baby bird out of the nest so it would finally discover how to fly. My wish for all currently in that situation is they "discover how to fly" in the next version of themselves.