Bouncing back after a layoff? In this economy?
Even though news of layoffs and economic uncertainty may saturate your news feed, it doesn’t mean layoffs are something that should stop you from pursuing a remote job.
But what if you already had a layoff or feel like one is coming your way? The economy is a living, breathing entity that might surprise you. The companies that have layoffs are sometimes the ones that hire the next quarter. And remote work layoffs can open up new opportunities for your career.
Read on for practical tips on handling a remote nursing job layoff.
1. Prepare Now If You See It Coming
If you hear rumors at your company about reorganizations or budget cuts, or you just feel a general air of stress and uncertainty—consider those signs of a possible layoff.
Before you panic, here are some things you can do:
- Check the WARN database. Did you know that the WARN Act requires companies with over 100 employees to give the government a 60-day notice to enact layoffs? You can check the database for an extra hint if it’s something you should start thinking about.
- Set up an emergency fund. Financial experts suggest having 3 to 6 months of living expenses saved. If that seems daunting right now, save up even $500 or $1,000 in case of an unexpected expense.
- Start applying for other jobs. Starting a new job takes around 4 to 6 weeks, so getting a head start on the search can ease some of those financial worries if you are concerned about your expenses. Check out Nurse Fern for a resume template to help you land interviews for jobs you want.
2. Know That It’s OK To Feel The Feelings
A Gallup poll explains that unemployment is correlated with higher rates of depression. So, if this job loss has you feeling like you’ve hit rock bottom, you aren’t alone. Don’t hesitate to utilize resources available to you, including primary care doctors, mental health professionals, family, friends, unemployment assistance, or the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline.
Like any loss, you can expect to go through the stages of grief after losing your job.
- Denial: “There’s no way this is real, and my company actually doesn’t want me anymore, right?”
- Bargaining. “Maybe this wouldn’t have happened if I had done a better job of proving my accomplishments to my manager.”
- Anger: “I seriously can’t believe these people think they can handle the workload without me.”
- Depression. “I don’t know how to move my career forward from here.”
- Acceptance. “I think I’m ready to find something better.”
Feeling hurt, betrayed, and confused amid such a significant life change is valid. As you grieve, it’s important to remember: It’s not your fault you were laid off from your remote nursing job, and it’s not your fault if you didn’t see it coming. Don’t punish yourself for what you can’t change.
3. Avoid Legal Pitfalls
During a remote work layoff, the company looks out for its best interest rather than for you.
Remember these action items:
- Transfer important information to your personal accounts if you see it coming. Your employee benefits handbook, paystubs, retirement account logins, or pertinent emails are a good place to start.
- Don’t delete any intellectual property or send yourself any sensitive data. Even if you made the intellectual property (like training documents or spreadsheets), they are company property, so don’t tamper with them.
- Don’t sign any documents without reading them first. You never know what HR might want you to sign during a layoff. Even if they tell you a document is standard procedure, never sign anything without reading it. If anything seems puzzling, contact an employment attorney for a free consultation.
- Think about severance pay before accepting it. Often, severance pay comes with stipulations. Sometimes the pay is well worth it, but understand the terms first. Severance pay will impact potential unemployment benefits, so check with your state to weigh the cost vs. benefit of severance or unemployment.
4. Set Yourself Up For Safety
Everyone will see a layoff a little differently, depending on their circumstances. In either case, take a good look at your financial situation, especially if you think there’s a potential layoff coming for your remote nursing job.
- Track your actual expenses from the past 3 months. Don’t just look at your budget. Use your spending data so you can be honest with what you are spending.
- Determine all the assets you have. This includes checking, savings, retirement accounts, and personal assets like cars.
- Make a note of your debt. Be especially aware of any high-interest debt, like credit card payments.
- Make a financial plan. How long could you live off your current assets without income? How long could you live off your existing assets with estimated unemployment assistance? What action items do you have to execute your plan?
5. Move On To Greener Pastures
Now that you’re between jobs, it’s an excellent time for introspection.
- Did you actually like what you did?
- Did this layoff feel more welcome than you thought it would?
- Are you interested in going back to school or making a big career pivot?
- What do you want out of your next job?
The bright side of a remote work layoff is you get a chance to be resilient. And you have an excuse to find a better job without worrying about what your future employer might say about how long you were with your last company.
You Got This
Even though remote work layoffs are never welcome, there’s something inspiring about starting a new chapter. You have an opportunity to realign what you do with what your goals are. Give yourself time to mourn, and move on to bigger and better things gracefully.
You are a nurse, after all. You’re capable of much greater things than working for a company that can’t afford your talent.
Want some new job inspo? Check out the Nurse Fern blogs to learn what remote nursing job might suit you, how to prepare for remote nursing job interviews, and more.