Is asking about my job security ever in my favor?

Is asking about my job security ever in my favor? If my department can't show success, I want to ask my manager if my job could be laid off due to this. I understand anything they say won't matter, if a company wants to or needs to lay off people, they will. However, would asking this question be a disfavor to me in any way? Should I just let sleeping dogs lie?

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3 Comments

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  1. Yana Myaskovskaya

    Culture can be different across companies and can dictate how questions are received. Bearing this in mind, if you generally feel that your leadership team has some transparency, I would ask the question something like this:

    "How will our team's ability to attain or goals/KPIs this year impact the security of our roles in the given market conditions?"

    You can also directly ask about your performance, "I am deeply invested in the success of this company. What feedback can you provide me about my performance that will enable me to be most successful in my role in the coming year?"

    If you feel the response to this is positive, you can, depending on your comfort level, follow up with, "I appreciate your feedback. Given that you feel my performance has been strong, what can I do to ensure that I can contribute to the company even if personnel changes are being made in the future?"

    Although these questions may sound direct, asking them makes it clear that you are invested in your future at the company and makes you memorable to the management/leadership team should difficult decisions need to be made.

    As a manager, I find it shows a level of business maturity to ask thoughtful questions about your company's direction and make it clear that you might be flexible (whether that's changing your role somewhat or moving into a different department) should the company need to undertake layoffs.

  2. Anonymous

    Asking doesn't get you anything.
    They simply will do what they need/want to do when they need/want to do it. You asking the question doesn't change that.

    Assume you can be let go at anytime if you are focused on security and if it makes you feel more at ease. Asking about this won't reveal any secret plans.

  3. Anonymous

    I think there is a way to place your words. Perhaps some kind of acknowledgement that the department is not at peak. Then ask about how the company might think about adjustments should things not improve. Ask if its ever been done before and if so what or how they would approach making changes. That might be a softer way to find out of they think you should be looking. If you have a strong comfort with your manager you might be direct and ask should I be keeping my options open or is that silly?

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