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.
