Job Loss Cycle

And I’m looking for space and to find out who I am, and I’m looking to know and understand. It’s a sweet, sweet dream. Sometimes I’m almost there. Sometimes I fly like an eagle and sometimes I’m deep in despair. Lyrics from the song, Looking for Space, John Denver (1976)

So, it finally happened. All of the headlines and statistics about the current 2024 economic crisis have become personal: and now you've been laid off.

Given the amount of stress you're likely to be experiencing right now, it helps to know what to expect in the weeks, months, and maybe years ahead. After all, the more you know, the better equipped you'll be to handle the ups and downs that you're likely to face.

In a famous piece of research, *Elisabeth Kübler-Ross identified five different stages of grief that people go through when mourning the death of a loved one. Losing a job, being fired, or even resigning from a job is not quite as upsetting as losing a loved one, however, it can be a profoundly unhappy and stressful experience, and I can only help to think in terms of Kübler-Ross' stages as I have been going through.

The diagram above outlines the stages and emotions that people typically experience during job loss and transition.

It is imperative to keep these stages in mind as you experience work transition and make decisions about what you will do next. Knowing where you are in the “Job Loss Cycle” will help you to understand your emotions and will help you understand you are not alone in this transition process. It should be noted that this process can’t be hurried by ignoring your emotions – our experiences tell us that negative experiences can often lead to feelings of anger, depression, and despair and these emotions inevitably come across to potential employers.

Your success will rely on you taking the time to move through the negative emotions stemming from a job transition towards positive feelings to hope and opportunity.

Notice that the diagram has two headings – job loss and job search. The cycle appears to be like a roller-coaster through both sections – and it is. Both will present emotional stresses. Seek out support – from family, friends, an employment counselor, or even a therapist. This is not the time to be vain. ?connections will be important to your successful transition.

With the job loss comes both shock and anger. After the person realizes that they are going to lose their job, they get angry. The anger is usually toward the company or the management, but often it is directed elsewhere. It is not uncommon for people to take their anger out on family or friends. “I can’t believe this is happening! Don’t they appreciate me?” - followed by worry and anxiety – “How will I find a new job? Who will want to hire me? How will I pay my bills?” These are legitimate worries that can paralyze you. Work through each question independently and do so with your support.

When the initial emotional jolt subsides, it is time to start to anticipate the upcoming job search. The job search is what I call a “yo-yo” period, with moments of hope and excitement countered with moments of fear and rejection. Even when one successfully goes on to the “yo-yo” period, recurring bouts with depression are not uncommon.

The yo-yo period of the Job Loss Cycle can be an important time to ally with an employment counselor – or a therapist as it helps to have someone outside of your regular network who can help you keep things in perspective.

*Note: The Job Loss Cycle is based on the stages of grief identified by Elisabeth Kübler-Ross for those facing death.

We are in this together - Melanie Woods, GPHR, SPHR, SHRM-SCP

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