The recent wave of downsizing has raised anxieties across the country. Women are among the thousands of victims of organization’s often ill-advised attempts to cut costs by cutting people. (See our article, “Downsizing: Does It Really Cut Costs” for more information about this topic.)
Are there differences in the way women react when they lose their jobs? There are both commonalities and differences in the way the two sexes experience a major transition like job loss. Let’s explore those.
JOB LOSS: THE COMMON EXPERIENCE
All
people experience a range of emotions when they
have involuntarily lost a job. These include
emotions like:
1.
Denial
2.
Fear/Anxiety
3.
Anger/Bitterness
4.
Depression
5.
Grief
6.
Confusion
7.
Some experience creativity!
All
people also go through transitions. Transition
is defined as the psychological adjustment to a
change, while change is a situational event.
People in transition go through three stages.
These are:
1.
Endings: letting go of what was.;
2. The
Wilderness: the confusion of the in-between
time;
3. New
Beginnings: finding a new path and reconnecting
emotionally.
ARE WOMEN DIFFERENT IN THEIR RESPONSES?
In
addition to these commonalities, however, there
may be some differences in how men and women
experience job loss. In fact, women may
actually have an advantage in their ability to
cope, for three main reasons.
1.
Identity: While many women have a career as a
major source of meaning and identity in their
lives, they are a little more likely than men to
have multiple identities (families). Therefore,
the loss of the job may not be as devastating to
a woman as it is to a man who finds his primary
self esteem in his work.
2.
Emotional expression: Culturally, women have
been given more "permission" to express
emotions. When going through the grief process,
which always occurs after significant loss,
talking about the losses and the emotions can be
very healing. Tears, which are also more
socially acceptable for women, tend to speed up
the grief process and move the person toward
rising up and take action.
3. Social support: Research has demonstrated that women tend to rely more on emotional support from others. For instance, women friends tend to talk about their relationships and feelings, while men friends tend to do an activity together. The ability to share one's real feelings with supportive friends can be a real asset in dealing with a loss.
HOW TO GET MOVING IF YOU LOSE YOUR JOB
What should you do if you lose your job? Male or female, here are eight important strategies that can ease the transition into a new future.
1.
Right after the "news", allow a little time for
the reality to sink in. The shock of "This
can't be happening to me" is normal.
2.
Talk to yourself about what is ending and what
is not. It is not the end of the world or the
end of your career. It's not the end of your
ability to contribute meaningfully to the
world. It's just the end of this phase of your
career, and the beginning of another that you
are about to discover.
3.
Deal with the grief process. Grief is the normal
reaction after a significant loss. You won't
stay there if you face it, feel the hurt, and
move through it.
4.
Reassess what's really important to you. Ask
yourself, "What am I grieving the most?" This
will give you a clue about the important factors
in the new opportunities you will discover. For
instance, if you will miss the team with whom
you were working, you'll know you want a job
where people work well together in-groups. If
you think longingly about the customers to whom
you made a difference, you'll put "contributing
something meaningful to the lives of others" at
the top of your job criteria as you search.
5.
Take stock of your skills and of the aspects of
your personality that can contribute to an
organization's success. Don't take anything for
granted. No, everyone can't do that!
6.
Contact the people on your database, in your
Rolodex, and in the recesses of your mind,
letting them know what you have to offer and
asking them for referrals. A woman's ability to
connect with people can produce through the
years many who will be glad to be advocates.
Networking is one of your most powerful assets.
7.
Turn the confusion of change into creativity.
Interestingly, the research shows that periods
of major change are actually our most creative
times. Why? Because we have to be! Old habits
and methods don't work. Let the lack of
structure in your life at this time work for
you. Consider possibilities and opportunities
you would not have thought of if you had your
old job and routine.
8. Take heart; you will probably look back on this change as a blessing...a difficult one, but a blessing. Studies show that women are very likely to get jobs, even better jobs, after losing theirs. In the process, your success will give you added confidence, strength, and resilience.
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Bev@MagneticWorkplaces.com or 601-264-0890.