Layoffs what to do if Company wants you Back
If you've ever been laid off you understand the feelings of devastation that pink slip or termination letter can bring. Getting laid off from a job is probably one of the most stressful events you can ever deal with over the course of your life.
Lay-offs may happen for a variety of reasons, but the primary reason companies lay employees off is to scale back on costs. For many companies they usually target the employee budget line in order to reduce expenses because it is the most costly one.
The way companies handle lay-offs can greatly vary. Some companies give excellent severance plans, plenty of notice and letters of recommendation, but other companies will slash your job without blinking an eye and pay you no compensation and offer little notice.
Occasionally employers do call employees back for work. What do you do if after your lay-off your employer comes calling back? As you decide whether or not you should accept your former job there are several factors you should consider before take or turn down their offer.
How You Were Laid Off
If you were laid off with respect and treated fairly you should bear this in mind. Sometimes economic situations cause employers to take action they really didn't want to take and they are eager to give you "first dibs" when they are able to hire again.
On the other hand if your former employer was callous about laying you off and you know you'll be going back to a less than ideal situation you'll probably want to keep this in mind.
Another possibility to consider is whether or not your offer of your former job is equitable to the position you left. Is the job a secure one and can they guarantee you a contract or long-term employment or is it probable they may lay you off again without a second thought?
These are things to consider as you ponder whether or not you should accept a position with a company who laid you off.
Current Circumstances
A primary deciding factor will be whether or not you have found other gainful employment. If you haven't found a job or even if you've found a temporary or part time job which helps make ends meet but doesn't really pay the bills you might want to consider going back.
The present economic climate should also play into your decision. If you have many good leads for a new job which may be more secure this is an important consideration. However if there seem to be no leads in sight, and you've spent hours pounding the pavement to no avail, you may want to entertain going back, at least until things turn around and more potential jobs are in sight.
What Kind of Package they are Offering
Are you being hired for the same job or did the company scale back on jobs only to rehire people at lower salaries with less or no benefits? If your new package is comparable to what you had this is a matter to think about, but if their offer is significantly lower you might want to take this into consideration as well.
The feelings which come with a layoff are rough and it puts you in the unfortunate position to try and find other employment. Your options may be good, but in an economy which is going through a tough spell your options may be limited and you might find yourself stuck for a job.
If your old employer comes calling looking to rehire you, it is a good idea to consider the circumstances and your other options before making the decision to accept or reject their offer.
