What your employer can do to assist you after a layoff
Finding a layoff notice in your locker is the most cowardly way to let someone know that they lost their job. Pink slips are the grandfather of being fired via text message or phone call. These methods allow a spineless boss to get rid of you without looking you in the eyes and giving you an explanation on why you were "let go".
On the other hand, you may work for a boss who cares about his employees. He might give you a heads up in advance that your employment is ending. The least your boss can do for you, is afford you time to look for another job and save money for the future. Bosses should give their future lay offs the chance to prepare for the hard times to come.
A good boss would also try to put his feelers out for you and use his connections to get you a job. Most employers have connections with other companies and businesses. Your boss understands that bad things happen to good people, so why not ask one of his colleagues to hook you up with a job. Not many bosses will do this for their employees, but there is nothing wrong with asking your boss if he knows anyone looking to hire employees in your field.
If your boss cannot help you get a job through his connections, he can put in a good word for you with another employer. He may also let you use him as a reference on your resume. This will be a tremendous resume builder when your boss is willing to vouch for your good work ethic. Who knows you better than your former boss? Your boss may also explain to your future employer the reason why you are looking for a job.
Your boss may even offer you some type of severance package or bonus to help you while you are unemployed. This doesn't occur often with lay offs, but maybe you work for a boss who remembers what it is like to be on the bottom of the economic food chain.
People are looking for bosses who care for their well-being. If you are reading this, and you are a boss - help your employees get through tough times. Hard working Americans are getting ground up by the economic meat grinder. The least you can do is give them a boost to find gainful employment.
