How to Tell You are about to Lose Your Job

Signs that Indicate it's Time to Improve or Move On

May 9, 2009
Paym Bergson

Time on Your Hands – a Sign of Losing Your Job - Melodi T, New Zealand via stock.chng

Watch out for these warning signs - these are indicators your job may be on the line due to your performance, errors, or your value to the company has been lowered.

Being forewarned is being prepared. Check this list to see if your job may be in jeopardy, and if you can save it.

Being Excluded

This is not about the latest company picnic, but about business. Are you still part of the meetings – all of them? If you've noticed a drastic reduction in your time spent in meetings while co-workers seem to always be in meetings – watch out. Meetings are your first indication that you are considered a valuable member of the team.

Have you been complaining about too many meetings– more than the normal gripes that happen at any job? Have you really taken part in those meetings, or just coasted and watched the clock?

Approach the Team Leader or your supervisor about your department meetings. See if there are any other projects you might be able to get involved in, or if there are any meetings you should be attending. Show some enthusiasm.

Less Work

This one is a good indicator of how your company is doing, not just if you are losing your job. If the whole company is having difficulty finding work, then the company is in trouble. Do you seem to have more time on your hands? Are you gearing others to help with your work, then finding out you don't work on that project any more? Less work means less responsibility, and that equals less valuable to the company, and expendable as necessary.

Being the Scapegoat

Everyone makes mistakes; hopefully those mistakes are small and easily corrected. But if you seem to be blamed for many minor mistakes, yours or not, it's time to critically look at why. First, make sure these mistakes are yours. Then, own up to them. Go to the boss and say what happened. More importantly, say how you fixed it, or how it can be fixed; and show how you learned from the mistake.

But if the mistakes aren't yours, it's even more important to approach the boss. Do this tactfully. Say you want to learn from your mistakes, but you need to learn from your OWN mistakes first. Gently point out the error was not yours (and don't point out whose it is), and that you want to clear your name and any other misconceptions. If the boss accepts this, and then still blames you – the writing is on the wall: the company is trying to get rid of you.

Can You Turn this Around?

All of the above are based on observations – how others seem to deal with you. If you really are good at your job, then you need to clear up any misconceptions and ensure the bosses know your worth. The main point is to communicate, not complain.

Ask for a performance review, then work with your supervisors if it's a bad one. Honestly, you really should know if you get a very poor performance – maybe that attitude and sloppy work really did affect your review. Even if it's just marginally poor, ask how you can work with your company to improve your skills and help yourself and the company to do better now.

Bottom Line – Always a Good Time to Improve

If you find you are being excluded from many important meetings, find yourself with less work, and seem to be blamed for many things that you did not do – you have a choice. You can look for other work (not always viable, especially right now) or you can take control of yourself and your job. Ask for a performance review – even if it's just a quick talk with the boss. Find out how you can improve, and make sure you are doing everything you can to communicate with your boss and co-workers, not just complain.