It seems that everyone is writing about the pandemic and lay-offs in this “unique” year that is chock full of them. But, pandemic aside, let’s pretend it’s a back-to-normal work world (if we ever get there again), and you have a sinking feeling in your gut at the office of which you aren’t 100% sure what it means. You are wondering if that feeling is your intuition telling you that a lay-off is forthcoming.

Lay-offs occur, generally, for a few reasons. First, there has been a shift in upper management, like the retirement of a senior officer or the hiring of a new CEO, or secondly, a merger or acquisition (& a need to restructure due to both companies having similar people in similar roles). Another reason is when the company, or its management, is failing. Sometimes the company is not hitting sales goals or reaching their desired EBITA (Earnings Before Interest, Taxes, and Amortization). In turn, the executive staff must make budget cuts at the employee level, where most of the company money is invested, to make the most significant impact. These cuts come with the difficult decision of choosing “who” must go. Who will be on that chopping block?

Often management quickly looks at administrative staff to determine whether their roles are essential to its bottom line. Administrative professionals are often the first to go, unfortunately. I was once told by a former manager who laid me off that my job was a “luxury position.” What? Did they know what I did on a day-to-day basis to keep their executives freed up for more revenue-generating work? It is a shame as admins we must prove ourselves and our worth so often. It is an uphill battle to show them that we are valuable and affect the bottom line in a less noticeable behind-the-scenes way. It stinks, but it is the nature of the profession. (That is a whole other blog article. Do not get me started)!

I recently spoke with someone on the imminent verge of a lay-off (IMHO). I hope she fully understood what I shared with her about my lay-off stories after I heard her story. When we spoke, I was immediately taken back in time to a couple of instances in my corporate work life when a lay-off occurred. The funny thing is, in one case, I knew it was coming, but management did not allude to me being affected. The executive went so far as to have me develop the post-lay-off org chart, which included my name on it, only to find out the next day I was redundant. I was taken by surprise and thought that it was like being hit below the belt. Lay-offs are difficult enough, but to have me do that, was uncalled for and unnecessary.

What are examples of the signs, in my experience, that told me my company was downsizing? Over the years, I have collected and assembled the following examples based on my experiences and those my colleagues and admin friends have encountered as well. I share these with you, my fellow admins. I share them so you may be able to identify that feeling in your gut and update your resume. You may find some of this obscure or dumbfounding, but I will explain more in my conclusion.

Here are some clues you may be on the redundancy list. Things that might make you say, “hmmm...??”

**First off, the following scenarios happened out of the blue, after feeling revered by management (as well as coworkers), after always receiving high marks on employee evaluations, and feeling as though we were the literal heartbeat of the company.

Management assigned you to a project, a focus group, or brought you aboard a committee that’s outside the normal realm of an admin, which you dove right into, and took on wholeheartedly, as an admin is known to do!

                               ~ The project seems somewhat meaningless to the overall health/progress of the company (busy work).

                               ~ One person assigns the project, but then suddenly, another takes over to review your work and give their two cents.

                               ~ The project’s timeline or due date is changed or unattainable and unwarranted without having consulted you first.

                               ~ For some reason, a “flaw” in your work makes its way to upper management’s attention, and an adverse reaction from                                    them is directed right at you. **

 **You have been a stellar employee during your tenure with the company. Suddenly, you are reprimanded. Perhaps you are even placed on a PIP (Performance Improvement Plan) due to your “mistake(s)” within the project.

This obscure lay-off selection method is not foreign but common when execs are creating a lay-off list. When “old” management is changed into “new” leadership, and they do not want to offend anyone or seemingly lay a heavy-hand, this is a roundabout way to weed out the lowly admins by making it appear they’ve done it to themselves. If you have had this shift in management, please look for these signs. The conclusions my other admin colleagues and I have drawn from this process are simple. Situations like this have happened to not only us but many admins per my research. The board, CEO, or VP, whatever the case may be, needs a scapegoat to save face (and in some cases, their position(s)). They need someone else to blame for the company’s lack of success. Who is the easiest target? Who is the lowest on their perceived totem pole? The admin.

Do not fear! Admins are the most resilient bunch I know! There are admins in nearly every industry and crossing industry borders is our strong suit. Yes, you will have to be afforded a learning curve if the new job requires industry knowledge, but do not let that deter you from applying to a new position. Do know you are not alone in your suspicions that a lay-off is forthcoming. Seek out career counselors and resume writers to stand out from the bunch. Put your personality in that resume. You want to find not only a job but the right job. One that suits you, values you and understands the role an admin plays to support that bottom line.

In conclusion, listen to your gut. The gut seldom lies. Reach out to other experienced admins and network, network, network. And always have your resume up to date! Especially in these troubling times.