Workplace Survivor Syndrome

Your Mental Health "Nugget"

Workplace Survivor Syndrome

"With 1.93 million people losing their jobs between August and December 2008, according to the Bureau ofr Labor Statistics, chances are you've felt the impact of a layoff, whether it's the loss of your own job, witnessing layoffs at your company, or just knowing friends and colleagues who are on the unemployment line." (Washington Business Journal, Jan. 23, 2009)

It's one thing to read about layoffs in the paper and quite another to see a close colleague pack up his or her personal items and head for the door. You've been spared--for now, at least. But feeling lucky never felt so bad. Miserable is how most downsizing survivors would describe it---wading through massive daily workloads while waiting anxiously and wondering if they'll be next. What they (or you) are feeling is called "Workplace Survivor Syndrome", a term coined by organizational psychologists to describe the emotional, psychological and physical effects of employees who remain in the midst of company downsizing. Multiple studies show that job cuts are just as hard on the people left behind as they are on those who've been downsized.

A 2008 study by Leadership IQ reported that "guilt" was one of the top three words used by layoff survivors to describe their feelings. The other two were "anger" and "anxiety." Here are some strategies to help you cope if you've found yourself in this situation:

Allow yourself time to grieve. The emotional trauma of saying goodbye to long time co-workers is very similar to losing a loved one.
Resist the temptation to hold a grudge. What's done is done.
Ask for clarification on how job cuts were chosen. Understanding the reasoning behind each decision can help alleviate the guilt of being spared and reduce anxiety.
Avoid office gossip about further cuts and who may go next. It only adds to stress and anxiety. Focus instead on being positive and productive.
Take a mental break. Reconnect with friends and family. Take a short trip. Putting physical distance between yourself and work, even for a day, is a great way to distance yourself emotionally and gain perspective.
Cut yourself some slack. Do your best each day but don't expect yourself to single-handedly save the company (or agency).
If you begin to experience difficulty with depression, severe anxiety, increased alcohol consumption, insomnia or other stress related issues, consider contacting your primary care physician, your company's/agency's Employee Assistance Program (EAP) or a mental health professional.

Adapted from EAPTOOLS.com, 2009

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