Layoff Preparedness: A Transfer to the Branch Office in Somalia is a Bad Sign

Since fall 2008, it has been nearly impossible to open a newspaper that does not contain local, state or national layoff announcements – followed by many career articles warning us to prepare for the possibility of our own layoff. No wonder some of us feel a bit jumpy at work if our boss does not respond to our E-mails (mine only responds to the ones that pique his interest.)

The Wall Street Journal reported warning signs of a possible layoff, including your boss failing to make small talk. The Institute for Paralegal Education recently published an article about recession proofing your career by making a contingency plan. Christine Parizo, author of A Paralegal’s Blog, also blogged about layoff preparation, including updating your resume. These are all very prudent ideas for any professional in this economy.

Now you’re sitting at your desk a bit worried because your boss walked right past you without saying “hi” and you can’t find a copy of your resume anywhere (or remember the particulars of your employment from 1985). So I was ready to laugh (nervously) when I recently read Dale McFeatters’ column, "Telltale signs that you are losing your job." He really lays those warning signs out quite clearly, including:

On a whim while out on the road, you call your office and ask for yourself. A voice identifying itself as you answers.

You return to find a stranger in your office. He insists he’s had that same office since 1999. Your co-workers back him up on it. He insists those pictures on the desk are of his family, not yours. Your co-workers back him up on that, too.

Oh, snap. That happened to me once, and then I realized I had been transferred to my own voice mail. Now about those E-mails…