go of their old mindsets –“ rank and file mentality”, looking at the other side when subordinates do something wrong, inability to instill discipline, etc. The trick is to understand and fulfill the new obligations, but still respect subordinates as people with rights, feelings, dreams, aspirations, etc.
• Not asking for help. When you are new in the job, you need support from anybody. Don’ t act as if you don’ t need your boss’ help. As you transition to a higher job, you will realize that the stakes get bigger. As the challenge escalates, you will need the support from above and below. Asking for help when you are new is not a sign of weakness. Just don’ t do it every single day!
Loss of Job
One of the saddest points in an employee’ s life is when he loses his job. If you think some are not prepared to assume a job, you’ ll soon realize that many are not prepared to lose their jobs.
Here are a few pointers for working people whose transition is a job loss:
• It is just your job – not your life. Don’ t feel too bad. It’ s just your job that you lost. You still have a life. Realize that you are undergoing a cycle, a process. You have to understand and be ready to go through the process and get out of it alive.
• Ask your boss to explain. This is one time when you can turn the table around – ask your boss to explain. You need to know the reason for losing your job. In the Labor Code, there are only two valid causes for you to lose your job. One is a just cause, attributable to what you have done wrong. The other is an authorized cause, which allows the company to terminate your services due to economic reasons.
• Understand the process. For termination of employment, there is need for due process – notice and hearing. Where the cause is authorized, you could get compensated for losing your job. Consult your HR manager or somebody you can trust. Unless the due process is completed, you usually don’ t get notified that it is your last day at work – you usually get a month’ s notice. Elsewhere, you get“ Trumped” when you hear,“ You’ re fired!”
• Cut the BS. When you talk to your boss or HR manager, go direct to the point. Ask for the reason, the due process, the date when termination takes effect, and compensation, if any. Don’ t be defensive or apologetic. Unless you are being asked to explain, don’ t argue. Disabuse your mind of issues like“ fairness”,“ justice”, or five hungry mouths to feed. It might be too late for this, as they must have made up their mind. Remain calm and don’ t display any emotion.( That will keep them guessing what you’ re up to. He he he!)
• Ask if you can see them again. You might need to talk to your boss or HR manager again, especially if you have questions on the severance pay. Study all documents you are given and consult somebody knowledgeable on terminations.
Uncomfortable Situation
Job loss is definitely not an easy thing to take. A terminated employee usually goes through a few stages of uncomfortable situations:
• Denial. When one is told that he is fired, he often chooses not to hear or believe it at first. When you are at this stage, just stay calm. Don’ t react violently. Process what you are hearing. Ask for water, an explanation, or a friend or co-employee to be with you if it makes you less uncomfortable.
• Anger. When it sinks in, you’ ll realize you’ ve really lost your job. Your instinct could be to get angry. Realize that the person talking to you might not be the maker of the decision to fire you. Don’ t vent your anger on him. Who knows, but you could be partly to blame?
• Depression. This type of emotion is a strong signal that you need professional help. Don’ t do anything that you will regret later. You are in a difficult stage but if you handle this properly, you can be better than before.
• Hysteria. Sometimes, you could become hysterical. Allow your boss or your friend to calm you down – or else the security guard will. Listen to what they are saying. Once you let out what’ s on your chest, you’ d be able to breathe and think better. One hysterical moment is enough. Compose yourself again and plan your next moves.
Transitions are a rite of passage. If you pass, you’ re better off. It’ s not personal – it just happens, even to the best of them, especially when the global economy is down.
What is the difference between recession and depression? Someone said,“ When your neighbors lose their jobs, there is a recession. When you lose yours, there is depression.” �
January I PEOPLE MANAGER 15