What are the warning signs you will be replaced or your position will be cut in a company staff reduction? Some of these cryptograms are not really a secret language at all but quite easy to discern. One rather obvious one is when your boss doesn't support you when things go wrong - even tries to distance herself from you. Then there is the assignment she gives you, but never follows up on your progress or even that it was done at all. This kind of sounds like busy work, not something she would assign to someone she considers a valuable employee, and probably should arouse your suspicion. Another is the boss who normally is mild-mannered who starts acting paranoid and needs to know everything you're doing and micro-managing your every task. He may turn what has been positive performance reviews into nitpicking sessions focusing on a few small details, while ignoring overall stellar performance.
There are the secretive, closed-door senior management meetings, which should be taken as a serious sign of pending cuts, especially when sales or profits have fallen behind previous years. If your company is lagging behind its industry competitors in product innovation, new technology, or marketing savoir-faire something must give. Since labor costs are typically at or near the top expense line on a company budget, they probably will look at reducing the headcount.
The more subtle signs are things like having a boss start making sarcastic jokes or teasing in not so nice ways. Or he could make conclusions, with little or no facts to back it up. Guy Kawasaki, a leading business author, says, "Does the boss accept criticism or blame when the going gets tough? Be wary of people who constantly dish out criticism but can't take a healthy dose themselves." A boss distancing herself from her team may be her mechanism for coping with what she knows is going to be a tough decision to let part of her staff go. This may involve less eye contact. Not seriously listening to you or your suggestions - just paying you lip service when you are trying to improve the service of your department.
If you are trapped behind an inept manager who doesn't know how to plan or prioritize tasks, or one who believes if it's not her idea, it isn't a good idea will be a difficult career challenge for you. As Stephen R. Covey says, "Don't let yourself become a victim of your bosses weaknesses." Someone in senior management may be listening to your manager and have very little knowledge of what you contribute to the organization.
What can you do if you think you are in danger of unemployment? When you have a lousy manager whom you know will only be protecting his or her own skin while leaving you out to dry? Start by always having an up-to-date resume. Always volunteer for committees, project teams, sports teams, holiday party planning group, or educational seminars your company has to offer - to get you exposure to other departments and managers to get out from underneath your questionable boss. Become the go to person in your company - someone who can always be depended upon. This makes you too valuable to lose or, in the event of a decision to let go you or another employee, this becomes a tiebreaker in your favor. Build up a network of friends, colleagues, classmates, church members, sports team buddies, extended family, etc. who you can count on to give you advice and help if ever needed to find a new position.
If you recognize the warning signs and see them all around you, start making plans to get out of the organization. Talk to your mentor or other trusted senior adviser, but do not tell a sole in your department because word will travel like wildfire, especially if someone in your team believes it will save their job to let the boss know you are looking elsewhere.
Don't give your present employer a reason to fire you. Do your job and do it well, but in your off hours and weekends begin the job search in earnest. Potential employers will understand if you can only meet over lunch or for coffee prior to the start of the business day. They will respect you for giving your all to your existing employer. Heed consumer warnings about online jobs or job placement sites that require a fee to join. Use your network of friends and colleagues to find the jobs before they are even posted.
The key is to recognize the warning signs of pending change in job status and to take action. You must be proactive and take care of yourself - no one else has the same motivation you have.
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