Recently, my work went through a massive downsizing. In a company with around 30 people, we lost almost forty percent of our workforce. They were given working notice, which meant that we would still see their faces coming to the office, and one by one, they would leave based on their tenure. It’s incredibly awkward and strange to see your colleagues every day knowing that they’ll be leaving in a few weeks or months.
Most people, from a typical forty hour work week, see their colleagues more than their own families. As you interact with each coworker, he or she becomes part of your work family and oftentimes your friend, making it that much harder to say goodbye after all that time invested with each other.
I found that my coworkers were also experiencing a spectrum of emotions, from anger to fear to apathy to wary acceptance. It’s been a lot more difficult for some over others, as many of these colleagues have been here for over five, ten, and even fifteen plus years.
I’m grateful that my job was spared, but I don’t think it’s easier being someone who’s staying. There are so many questions that go through your head: why am I staying? Am I safe? Why did they choose me? Should I look for other opportunities? Why not him and why her? I’ve learned a few things about myself as the layoffs happened, and I hope they will carry forward in my current and future working life. Continue reading
Pudding and Cake 