Unemployment-Are You Next in Line?-Part 2

 By Chris Wodke

http://www.summittrainingpublications.com/

In my last article I discussed some of the warning signs a company is in trouble and may be getting ready to shed jobs.  Nature culls the sick and weak from its ranks. Companies are no different. When hard times hit the biggest targets for lay offs are poor performers, perceived poor performers or those in weak political positions. Here are some warning signs you may be vulnerable:

Performance

If you recently received a poor performance appraisal or are on any type of performance improvement plan you are in a vulnerable position.  Any documentation of poor performance is a bad sign as well. Have you missed an important project deadline?  Are you projects coming in over budget? Are any measures of performance such as sales down? These are the types of things that will be looked at when decisions are made to let employees go.

Work Assignments

You are not invited to important meetings.  Your opinion is not sought. You aren’t invited to meetings, but your co-workers all have full calendars.  You are not being assigned to important or high visibility projects.  These are all signs you are not seen as valued by the organization. Do you spend time on personal business or on the internet when you should be working?  Others do notice how hard you work and how you spend your time.

Work Load

This goes hand in hand with work assignments. Do you have little or nothing to do?

Too much time on your hands is a sign either you or the company is in trouble.

If you don’t have work to do or are not being assigned work to do, does the company really need you?

Relationships’

Do you have problems getting along with team mates?  Do you have conflicts with your boss?  Are there complaints about you from customers?  Getting along with others is one of the most important skills you bring to the job. If you can’t get along with your peers or boss you just may not be worth the trouble to the company.

Attendance

Showing up every day and on time is a basic requirement for employment. Showing up late or having poor attendance may put you in a vulnerable position unless the absence falls under the Family Medical Leave Act (FMLA).

If any of the signs listed above you may be on shaky ground. Even if your company is doing well, they may use the poor economy as an opportunity to get rid of what they perceive as “problem employees”.  There are lots of really good qualified people on the job market right now so employers may be tempted to do some house cleaning even if they are doing alright in this economy.  The question is what do I do now? What if I see warning signs with the company or with my personal situation. In the next article I will talk about steps to take if you see some of the warning signs.

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Titles: Product Safety and Liability, Aftermarket Product Safety,Hazard Analysis, Product Safety Meetings, Warnings, Instructions and Manuals, Product Liability European Union, Obtaining the CE Mark, Risk Assessment, European Union, Product Safety Management Product Safety Audit, Workplace Violence, Substance Abuse, Sexual Harassment, Manager as Coach, Hiring, Firing, Performance Appraisals, Diversity, Americans With Disabilities, Business Etiquette, Security Abroad, International Business Manners, Customer Service, Customer Communication, Terrific Teams, The Manager as Trainer, Coping With Difficult People, Managing Your Boss- Problem Bosses, Malcolm Baldridge Award, Presentations/Public Speaking, Discrimination, Listening Skills, Negotiation, Conflict Resolution, Alternative Dispute Resolution, Total Quality Management, Motivation, High Achievers, Time Management, ISO 9000 Introduction, ISO 9000 Implementation, Quality Audit, Introduction to the Internet, Stress Management, Telecommuting, Flexible Work Schedules, Creativity and Innovation, Benchmarking, Effective Business Writing, Customer Letters, Motivating Self and Others, Project Management, Managing Multiple Projects, Brainstorming, PERT Diagrams, Train the Trainer, Train the Trainer-Delivery, Train the Trainer-Writing Presentations, Train the Trainer-On the Job Training, Train the Trainer-Using Visual Aids, Project Management, Peer to Peer Feedback, Surviving Unemployment, Interview Preparation