Lost Your Job? Ask Your Employer for Career Transition Support
Losing your job is never easy, particularly when it happens without notice. Not only that it affects you emotionally, but you also have to figure out how to organize your finances.
Asking for your employer’s help after you have been fired is pretty tough to do. Such incidents make us feel rejected and bitter. Still, if you want to surpass this stage, you could actually fix the situation by trying the following:
Career transition support
Some employers include career transition support, also known as outplacement, as part of an employee’s termination package. If an employer’s priority is risk mitigation, one will do what it takes to limit the likelihood of the employee filing a complaint.
Providing career transition support helps employees through challenging times. It also demonstrates a positive corporate culture that encourages long-term professional development and employee transitions from one organization to another.
Employees and organizations are continually changing and developing. Just as an organization is prone to downsize or grow, an employees performance levels can also change with time.
That is the primary reason why these career transition programs exist: to redirect employees who feel aimless after losing their job. Outplacement services can help laid off employees to adapt to change and gain new necessary skills. It also means they can explore alternative career directions by identifying fundamental competencies and capabilities.
Ask for a later date of termination
If you have the possibility, you could aim at negotiating a later termination date with your employer, it’s always recommended to know your legal rights in this situation. You should bring to their attention some of the current projects you’re working on, and try to persuade them that you’re indispensable until they’re completed.
Doing so might give you more time to look for a different job, or at least prepare financially.
Request compensation for vacation days
In the case in which you didn’t use all of your vacation days, an alternative could be to ask for rectification for those days. It may feel strange to ask such a request but as the old adage goes “nothing ventured, nothing gained”. This could bide you by financially while you start your job search.
Severance pay
Even though the law doesn’t require it, according to lawyer Alan L. Sklover, most employers provide their employees with two weeks’ severance pay. For instance, if you have been working at that company for an extended time-frame, you could try to negotiate for more.
A letter of recommendation
Leaving a job on good terms with your employer is highly recommended. This way, you could ask for a letter of recommendation. This is not only something you can show potential employers but also saves time in the job search process as this letter can be presented at an interview if needed.
Ask for a different job
Another option could be to negotiate for a different job in another department at your company. Although it’s a long shot, it doesn’t necessarily make it impossible, especially if you have proven to be a reliable employee.
Understand Your Rights
Especially after last year’s events, you are not the only person who has lost their job. However, not every employer had the grounds for terminations, and understanding whether you have been laid off legally or not is crucial. Getting in touch with a specialized employment lawyer is not only essential for you to regain your peace of mind, but it can also help you avoid repercussions on your CV, career prospects, employment opportunities, and financial situation.
Whatever happens, don’t lose hope, learn techniques on how to bounce back from a job loss and make the best of your free time to pursue your career goals. As one door closes another one opens so losing a job could also mean new opportunities, embracing another career path, and surpassing your limits!
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