Struggling with stress, wondering if layoffs are coming down the pipeline for my team.

14 Comments

1. AnonymousAugust 5,2025 at 6:00PM UTC

   Kinda somewhat similar situation to you. My biggest piece of advice is to find a healthy way to combat the stress of that. Hard, I know. But it will take its toll. Make sure you have your resume up to date, don't just rely on others but do some legwork yourself on seeing what's out there. Make sure you are optimizing your LinkedIn and whatever else. I actually was on the verge of leaving (more money - a lot more, stability, etc. but 5 days onsite with a 45 mile one-way commute)...but I love my job and the people I work directly with and the flexibility that comes with it. I had a heart to heart with my director, got some reassurances and staying put for now.

   All of that to say: make sure you are taking care of yourself, make sure you are keeping yourself open to opportunities and really explore them...but also understand what you want and what you need if you do have an opportunity to jump ship. Don't just jump at the first opportunity that comes along (been there done that and regretted that almost immediately).

2. AnonymousAugust 5,2025 at 6:24PM UTC

   I'm sorry we are in the same boat, but I appreciate your insight. Thank you truly. The uncertainty is grueling. I have my ducks in a row and am weighing everything out before making any moves. I was able to have a heart-to-heart with my manager recently, and she asked me not to start looking. Which gave me an ounce of relief.

3. AnonymousAugust 5,2025 at 8:18PM UTC

   It's always good to have a "Plan B," and gut feelings are usually right. It's wise to keep your resume updated and at least look around for opportunities at more stable workplaces. I hope your company can recover without layoffs, but it's good you are working on an escape plan in case you need it.

4. AnonymousAugust 5,2025 at 8:29PM UTC

   I'm in agreement with the post below. Always have options and always be prepared unless you don't have financial concerns and can last a year on your savings.

   There is nothing wrong with job searching, interviewing and considering new offers. You don't have to accept those offers. It's great practice and a really solid confidence boost to have other companies value your skills, education and experience.

   So you don't have to do anything but you should test the waters.

5. AnonymousAugust 6,2025 at 4:17PM UTC

   Thank you, I appreciate your insight. Feels much better reading the input than stewing in my mind.

6. Barb HansenAugust 6,2025 at 1:48PM UTC

   Just take one step at a time. Looking for a job is one activity. Interviewing is another. Accepting a new job is something else entirely.

   You can stay loyal to your current employer while updating your LinkedIn profile, searching for roles, and sending your resume for positions that interest you.

   If you land an interview, you can decide then whether or not you want to take it.

   And if you do interview and get an offer, that’s the point where you decide whether to accept it.

   You don’t have to make the decision to leave your current role right now, you only need to decide if you want to start looking.

7. AnonymousAugust 6,2025 at 4:18PM UTC

   Barb, thank you. That makes sense. Taking a deep breath and pushing through one step at a time.

8. Kimberley Ferretti HammettAugust 7,2025 at 4:06PM UTC

   This this this!! We too often believe that we have to go entirely in one direction. Applying and interviewing does not mean you have to say yes to an offer if you get it. Interviewing itself can be a long process.. might as well start now.. if you get down to an offer, who knows what your workplace will look like at that time (could be 2 or 3 months down the line). You may have a clearer answer then.

9. Danielle Peterson, MBAAugust 6,2025 at 9:41PM UTC

   Be proactive and listen to your intuition. It's a tough job market, but it can't hurt to start networking and applying to jobs. Taking action can help ease your anxiety because you're doing something you're in control of - and it could possibly help you land your next role or level up to a better role before layoffs come around.

10. K. W.August 7,2025 at 9:08AM UTC

    What does riding it out get you? Loyalty? That doesn’t pay the bills.

    having a job while looking for a job is still (unfortunately) the most powerful way to land interviews and job offers.

    Good luck.

11. AnonymousAugust 7,2025 at 3:06PM UTC

    Protect yourself. If you can have an honest conversation with leadership perhaps in a group session or meeting about security and how things could turn around - make it positive and show your commitment-you can make a good decision. Be certain of one thing if and when they do a RIF (reduction in force) no one may be spared and you don't want to get caught in that without being prepared. Keep looking around but don't jump unless something great shows up for you next. When interviewing share that the company is reducing staff, you have concerns about viability and that is why you are looking.

12. Dr. Patty GrossAugust 9,2025 at 1:49PM UTC

    There is nothing wrong with doing both. Do everything you can to help keep your current office afloat -and keep your feelers out there. Nobody will blame you for getting out before it goes down if the right opportunity comes along. Look at it this way: if you start looking now, you are that much further along in the process if you get laid off or the office closes. As time goes by and if the situation continues to degrade (or improve), you can adjust the intensity of your search accordingly.

13. AnonymousAugust 11,2025 at 5:30PM UTC

    I appreciate your insight. I definitely will do what I can to help, and hope for the best while putting some feelers out.

14. AnonymousAugust 10,2025 at 11:16AM UTC

    Depending on how long you've been there I would wait for redundancy but actively be applying for roles .

    I would also actively upskill and start updating my CV and interview skills.

    This way you are ready for the next step and you won't have a big gap between any potential redundancy and new job.

    Even if you're a loyal employee business and companies don't really care. Unfortunately we are all just a number to companies and when times get hard employees will not be given a second thought.