How to Survive a Job Layoff in 2021

Whether it's just you, a few of your colleagues or the whole department, losing your job feels personal. But chances are, it had nothing to do with you or your performance at work. There are so many reasons companies lay off workers, including a loss in revenue, an economic downturn or over-staffing. Even though it can feel like you were targeted, it likely had to do with the company’s bottom line, not you as a person.

Losing a job can be scary, and leave you with a bruised ego. But know that most people get laid off at least once in their career and bounce back in their own time.

Everything is a blur when you lose a job, so it is good to know what the important documents you need now and later. If you have been offered a severance package, review it carefully and consider having an employment lawyer look it over before you sign it. Look for things like how much they are giving you, if unused vacation time is included (it should be), non-compete clauses, and the end dates for health insurance.

This is also a good time to find your pay stubs, insurance information and your record of employment. This will help you later when you apply for Employment Insurance or CERB.

Now is the time to look at your savings accounts, your spending, and any debt you have. Figure out your hard expenses (rent, utilities, food, phone, debt etc.) and how much you need to maintain those every month. From there, see if there’s any subscriptions, services or spending that you can cut, downgrade or renegotiate. For example, you can downgrade your phone plan to one with less data if you're spending 90% of my time at home, where I have wifi.

It is also a good time to Marie Kondo your apartment. You never know what you might find that you can sell, trade or Bunz for things you need. Also, going through your things can make you appreciate everything you have right now.

There’s no shame in applying for government benefits. You pay for them with every paycheque, so they are available when you need them. If you’ve lost your job due to no fault of your own, apply for Employment Insurance.

It can take a few weeks for your claim to be processed, so it is best to apply as soon as possible to ensure you don't have any pay gaps. Even if you have a few weeks of savings that can tide you over, don’t put off applying. You have one month from your last day of work to apply for EI, or you might lose some benefits. Also, know that EI benefits won’t be the same amount as your paycheque. The amount you’ll receive is a percentage of what you used to make, based on how many hours you’ve worked in the last year and few other factors.

If you lost your job as a result of Covid-19, you should apply for the Canadian Emergency Response Benefit. With CERB, you can expect $2,000 every four weeks for up to four months. This benefit is available for Canadians, whether employed or self-employed, who have lost their income because of Covid-19 and have earned at least $5,000 in the last 12 months. Learn more about how to apply for CERB here.

It can feel embarrassing to tell people that you lost your job, but it is important to be open with those you know and love. I took a lot of pride in scoring my first journalism job before I had even finished school. So when I was laid off two years later, I felt like a failure. I kept it a secret at first, but then just swallowed my pride and messaged everyone in my graduating class to see if they knew of any openings. People were so kind, understanding and generous, sending over job listings and even references. While I thought telling people would make me feel bad, it actually boosted my confidence to see how many people were willing to offer help when I needed it.

It can be easy to define yourself based on your job. So many conversations start with ‘What do you do?’ which is why it can feel shameful and embarrassing if you aren’t ‘doing’ anything right now. Don’t define yourself by a job title. Remind yourself that you bring so much more to your family, friends, community and society than your job. Also, if you blew $300 at Sephora right before you got laid off, don’t beat yourself up. You can’t go back in time, only forgive yourself and enjoy your new haul.

After you’ve taken some time to heal, it is good to get back at applying for jobs. This might not be possible for everyone, but if you’re lucky enough to be in a field that’s hiring, it’s time to get your resume together.

Don’t waste your time applying for jobs that are way outside your experience, but don’t hold out for the perfect job either. It may never materialize. Sometimes it is worth it to apply for a position that is slightly above or below your skill set just to get your foot in the door. It is also good to reach out to recruiters who can do a lot of the heavy lifting for you and report back when they find positions that match what you are looking for.

Always wanted to learn how to cook? Or code? Or do a killer master a killer manicure but never had the time? This is it! It can be hard not knowing how long you’ll be unemployed, and having a new project or hobby to focus on can help keep you in good spirits. If you are feeling ambitious, take this time to upgrade your skills or take a course. Before you spend big, know that a library card can give you free access to courses from sites like Lynda.com.