Jim Moore, employment expert at HR consultant Hamilton Nash, told DailyMail.com that these hints are revealed in your boss's behavior
The current economic climate has many people worried about losing their jobs, but one expert has shared four 'warning signs' that they are on the way to layoffs.
Jim Moore, employment expert at HR consultant Hamilton Nash, told DailyMail.com that these hints are revealed in your boss's behavior.
These signals can be a change in workload, your position in the company and the way your manager communicates with you.
“It's worth taking a few precautions to stay one step ahead of the danger,” Moore said.
'Keep your CV up to date and keep in touch with contacts in similar positions at different companies. Maintain a close relationship with recruiters so you have a good understanding of the job landscape when you need it.”
Your boss starts emailing, not talking
Most employees enjoy having a chat with the boss here and there, but when the discussions move to email, Moore says it might be time to worry.
“From their point of view, this will all be useful evidence to show that they 'did the right thing' if it ever goes to an employment tribunal,” he said.
'If you find this happening to you, fight fire with fire and create your own paper trail.
You suddenly get a lot more work
The current economic climate has many people worried about losing their jobs, but an expert has shared four 'warning signs' that they are on the way to layoffs
There's a difference between being busy at work and drowning in work.
If you notice that your work objectives and targets are being revised, especially if they suddenly rise to an 'unrealistic' level, it could be a sign that you are setting yourself up for failure.
The most important thing to do right now is communicate with your managers in writing, Moore said.
“Address your concerns and seek clarification through polite and professional written communication,” he shared.
“Taking this step may be enough to prevent the matter from being taken to the next level.”
Other managers receive emails to you in CC
Seeing multiple managers within your company added to emails from your boss is also a red flag.
Moore said this could be a sign that management is creating a “paper trail” to eliminate you.
“Make sure every verbal conversation is followed by an email to confirm key points and get it on the record,” he continued.
“Don't be prickly and difficult in your responses; you must ensure that your messages are professional and reasonable.
'When HR ultimately reviews the documentation, the last thing you want is to be seen as a 'problem child'.
You are being transferred to a new part of the company
It could indicate that someone is planning your departure if you have left an important project, and it is not immediately clear why.
“These are some of the things that can happen when bosses know a layoff process is coming,” Moore said.
'Also, if colleagues start behaving differently, especially managers, this can be a sign that rumors about possible actions are circulating. This should be a red flag.
“During your next one-on-one session with your manager, make it clear that you want to be assigned valuable and impactful work.”
'You quickly notice whether that discussion leads anywhere. Again, always follow up any verbal conversation with an email to confirm and capture key points.”
You will receive a performance improvement plan (PIP)
While performance improvement plans are theoretically intended to improve performance, they can also be a sign that your bosses want to “control” you.
Moore said, “Used properly, a PIP is designed to get you back on track, rather than get you out the door. But there have been cases where managers have used a PIP in bad faith to push people out.
'Workplace performance issues fall into two categories: competency, which is where employees can't do something, and disciplinary issues, which is where they don't want to do something. Both can lead to dismissal if there is no improvement, so you need to understand how that improvement will be measured.
'If you are faced with a PIP, take the time to clarify what the problem is.
“Sometimes it's just a matter of their expectations of your work not matching your understanding of the role.
'Then don't shy away from the support you need to meet those expectations. Managers are generally happy to help remove obstacles if you can't get something done, but there is little sympathy for people who can perform, but don't want to.'
'Make sure you keep notes of performance reviews. Even a follow-up email after a verbal confirmation 'to summarize and confirm key points' is sufficient.”