Surviving a Layoff in Tech: Advice for Remaining Employees

Back in 2023, the massive layoffs have shaken the foundations of numerous tech companies, leaving remaining employees grappling with uncertainty and increased pressure. That frustration continues as the latest trend in tech hiring is slowing layoffs but not resuming pre-layoff staffing levels.

The Aftermath of Tech Layoffs Is Large-Scale

Do you still believe that the remaining specialists feel relieved to have kept their jobs and become so appreciative that their productivity and work ethic automatically improve? In fact, it works vice versa. A significant number of those who’ve kept their jobs report experiencing survivor syndrome. In other words, they feel guilt, anger, and anxiety. According to a study by Leadership IQ, 74% of remaining professionals report a decline in productivity.

The aftermath of tech layoffs can put a tech project off track, and remaining IT team members should find ways to cope effectively. Save our guide on how to survive layoffs. Senior managers can encourage their teams to stick to this guide. If you are not a senior manager yet, you will become one step closer to your next career stage by following the steps of the guide ⬇️

How to Survive Layoffs Step by Step

Embrace and Process Your Emotions

The first step to surviving layoffs is managing your emotional response. It’s normal to have mixed feelings like relief, guilt, and anxiety. However, it’s essential to deal with these emotions in a healthy way. Take time to reflect on your feelings and talk about them with trusted colleagues, friends, or a mental health professional. Managing your emotional well-being will help you stay focused and resilient.

Stay Focused on Your Role

When surviving a layoff, be ready that the workload for remaining employees often increases with fewer team members. Without prioritizing your tasks, you will not be able to manage your time effectively.

The main advice: don’t try to cover everything at once. Instead:

1. Reevaluate priorities. Look at your responsibilities and rank your tasks by how urgent and important they are. This will help you handle your workload better and focus on what matters most.
2. Set clear goals. Establish specific, measurable goals for yourself and your team. Clear objectives can provide direction and help maintain productivity amidst the changes.
3. Communicate with your manager. Talk to your manager regularly to be clear about what’s expected of you and share how you’re doing. This keeps you on the same page as the company and shows you care.
4. Support Your Team

The impact of layoffs extends beyond individual roles. Your colleagues may also feel confused and less motivated. Why not support your team to maintain a positive work environment? After all, you don’t want to wake up one day and realize that the situation at work has become even more tense.

1. Communicate openly. Create a safe space for discussing concerns and sharing updates.
2. Offer peer support. Be a source of support for your colleagues. Offer assistance with their tasks or provide a listening ear. Share your own experiences on how to survive layoffs. Being nice and caring can help with stress.
3. Recognize and celebrate when your team does a good job. Celebrating wins, even little ones, inspires to move forward.
4. Enhance Your Skill Set

Yes, layoffs can increase your workload and add new tasks. However, this is a chance to learn new skills and grow in your career.Consider the following:

1. Identify skill gaps. Assess the skills needed for your expanded role and identify any gaps. Seek out training or resources to address these areas and improve your proficiency.
2. Pursue professional development. Improve your skills by attending workshops, webinars, or courses in your field. This shows you’re committed to growing.
3. Automate repetitive tasks with AI to free up time for more strategic initiatives. AI can, for instance, analyze data, generate reports, or schedule meetings.
4. Seek feedback from your mentor or other teammates to see where you can become a bit more competent. Helpful feedback can guide your growth and help you meet team goals.
5. Maintain Work-Life Balance

It may be hard to realize sometimes, but your daily routine doesn’t disappear when you are surviving a layoff.

Increased workloads and heightened stress can take a toll on your work-life balance. Do everything to make that balance go back to normal. Here are some tips:

1. Set boundaries. Avoid overworking by setting specific work hours and taking breaks as needed.
2. Take care of yourself. Do things like exercise, relax, and enjoy hobbies. If your body and mind are healthy, you can recover from stress faster and stay productive longer.
3. If you feel very stressed, get help from a counselor or therapist. Professionals can give you tools and advice for managing stress and keeping balance.
4. Focus on the Future

While navigating the immediate aftermath of layoffs, it’s important to look ahead.

1. Assess Your Career Goals. Reflect on your career goals and how they fit with your current job. Use this time to reevaluate your career path and adapt it to your plans.
2. Build your professional network by connecting with people in your industry, going to events, and joining online groups. Making relationships can lead to new opportunities and support.
3. Stay flexible. Be ready for changes. A positive attitude to changes can help you handle uncertainty and set you up for future growth.

What Bonuses Await Survivors

Surviving layoffs in the tech industry requires resilience, adaptability, and a proactive approach. While layoffs can be difficult, they can skyrocket your professional development.

• Taking on additional tasks and enhancing their skills and experience, team members can get promotions in the future.
• With fewer people, there may be, again, more opportunities for career growth or new roles.
• The need to lead during challenging times allows specialists to develop leadership skills, manage projects, and guide teams.
• Layoffs highlight inefficiencies, giving tech teams the chance to propose and implement improvements, showcasing their problem-solving abilities.
• Software developers, QA engineers, UI/UX engineers, and other pros become more involved in cross-functional communication. So, they broaden their skill sets and gain a holistic view of company operations.
• Navigating layoffs builds resilience and adaptability, valuable qualities for any other future challenges.
• Working closely together during transitions strengthens team bonds and improves collaboration.
• Often, specialists can contribute to strategic decisions, showcasing their strategic thinking and influence.

So, there are pretty many reasons for embracing the changes, supporting your colleagues, and staying focused on your long-term goals.