Is Your Job in Danger?

Ten tips on recognising if your job is in danger and what to do about it.

Losing your job unexpectedly is a real life crisis. By learning how to recognise the danger signals you can take certain steps to improve your situation and prepare for the worst should it happen.

People usually get laid off because there is either a corporate or market issue where a decision is made to rationalise or close the finance, marketing or technology team and you’re a casualty of that or because of a personal issue. This is usually due to your skill set or performance not meeting expectations or because you are part of a personality or management style conflict.

Five indicators that your job may be in danger

1) Is the company performing badly?

Obviously being in the finance team you will have the opportunity to see the figures even if you are not party to the decisions being made. While poor trading performance doesn’t necessarily mean the worst in terms of your job security it is obviously a precursor to changes.

2) Is your work performance good enough?

Low productivity can cost you your job particularly when organisations need to boost productivity. If you feel you are not performing well be prepared for some bad news. Alternatively take control and make some changes of your own.

3) Are you displaying a positive attitude at work?

Your general demeanour will be evident to people you work with and in a downturn your lack of passion and positive feelings will count against you.

4) Are you being frozen out?

If you are being excluded from committee meetings or social events and passed over for new projects this may be the precursor to some bad news.

5) Are you having a personality problem with your manager?

Strong working relationships are important in any environment but the issue in a downturn is that if your manager is one of the decision makers on headcount they may feel it is an ideal opportunity to solve the problem by recommending your removal.

While you can’t fully protect yourself from redundancy understand that when making decisions to reduce headcount Managers think about issues such as added value, positive attitude, team spirit and personality match.

Five steps to influence your position

1) Check your attitude

Without making it obvious, work on being positive rather than neutral and spend more time working to ensure that you finish projects ahead of time.

2) Increase your visibility

Make sure you spend extra time at your desk and avoid being late or taking unscheduled time. Ensure that your managers and colleagues understand what you are doing and achieving on a daily basis. Make sure you attend the right functions and meetings even if they are voluntary and so that you know what is going on in your organisation.

3) Be flexible

Prove that you can adapt to and perform well in new and different circumstances. Take advantage of learning opportunities and be positive about added work tasks.

4) Be a team player

Compromise and co-operate with your colleagues. Make it evident that you are a team player working for the company’s goals.

5) Market yourself

Nurture your contacts both inside and outside the company and make sure that people around you are aware of your qualifications and achievements. Maintain an image of success.

These are all small points in themselves but the extra ten percent in output may be the difference between safety and redundancy.

It’s also wrong to assume that restructuring and rationalisations are bad news for you. Bad corporate news can sometimes provide an opportunity for you to play a greater role in the newly restructured organisation.