[box type=”note”]You wake at the same time, get your coffee, and get dressed for work. You drive the long drive to work and get there on time, as usual. You have been working at this same job for over 20 years. After being at work for a couple of hours, the boss calls you into his or her office. Panic sets in because you have heard through the grapevine that people are losing their jobs and suffering layoffs because the company is not doing so well. You begin to sweat. After walking into the boss’s office, he or she asks you to take a seat. The boss begins to explain what an asset you have been to the company. They tell you that if he or she had any other choice, they would keep you on. After a few moments of good words, the boss tells you that they regret to inform you that they will have to lay you off.
Your heart sinks to your feet. The first thing you think about is your age. You have worked in this same job for over 20 years. How will you ever begin again? What will you do without a paycheck? How will you support your family? Other questions begin to form in your head. How will you ever be able to afford health insurance and life insurance for your family? The ride home is long. You think of everything in the world but especially how to break the news of being terminated to your family. How will the family have to adjust their lifestyle so that the bills can continue to be paid? How will you ever be able to afford your mortgage? Will you lose your house? [/box]
Does this sound familiar? This scenario is all too common. Knowing when to break the news to your family about being terminated is something you will have to think about and adjust too. After a layoff, a family will have to think about the consequences of a lower income or no income temporarily. It is extremely important to sit down with your spouse/significant other and discuss the options ASAP. Always discuss the loss of a job with your spouse before discussing with the family. Figure out what you will have to cut out of your life, what you will have to do without, but also consider how your will keep the fun in your life. After all you were only laid off, you’re not dead and it’s not the end of the world.
Families need to think about what is important after a layoff. Prioritize the bills that needs to be paid first, second, and last. If you have kids, think about all the costs that you incur to make their lives meaningfully. After you and your spouse have all of the details, it is important to call a family meeting. Tell the children about the layoff as soon as possible. Let them know how it may affect them. Always be honest with them but make sure you stress the importance of sticking to your budget. Setting a budget does not mean there will never be any fun or entertainment. The family will need to set up family nights and entertainment that is inexpensive or free. Use your time being unemployed to connect with your family and really get to know each one of them.
Contact the unemployment security commission about filing for unemployment as soon as possible. After you know how much you will receive from unemployment, you can better adjust a budget for the family. Unemployment gives a worker that has been terminated or lost their job a percentage of the salary they are used to receiving. This money will help the family to buy groceries, pay insurance, pay mortgages, and utility bills. Any money that is left will need to be set aside for any emergencies that may arise.
Talking to your family is very important. Never keep your family in the dark about a loss of job because your family will begin to see the stress from loss of wages eventually, don’t let pride get the better of you. This could cause major problems in your family. Always be honest with your children and give them the opportunity to understand how serious the loss of a job is to a family.
I will go deeper into this in an upcoming post but starting thinking “Survival Mode”. Which means you may have to start thinking about contacting the companies that carry all of your bills. Above all else make sure to let your family know that it is not the end of the world. Let them know it is just a setback that will take some lifestyle adjustments. Be positive and always keep your head up. You will find a job and you will be back on top in no time. Look deep inside yourself and accept that a new future awaits and it is up to you to make it a bright one.
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Images courtesy of winnond and David Castillo / FreeDigitalPhotos.net
Good article. I really enjoyed the read. Keep em coming man!