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Syracuse  NY  13202

 

 

 

EAP INFORMATION

 

Coping with Job Loss

 

 

Stresses of Job Loss

Security is essential to life.  Your security came from being paid money and receiving respect for your contribution.  You were able to provide for yourself and your family’s food and shelter.  You may now have to deal with unemployment and services which you thought would never touch your life.

 

You probably received a lot of self-worth from your job and you may feel “I am what I do”.  The more you feel this way, the more difficult it may be.

 

Once you are no longer working, you may feel bored and not know what to do with your time.  If your spouse is home, you may bump into each other all day.  You may also avoid social situations so that you don’t have to reveal your change in job status.

 

The stress may be enough to make you physically ill.  Your family has been affected and your life seems out of control.

 

Where To Seek Help

Your company’s Human Resources department and the unemployment office will tell you what benefits you have coming and can help with your next move.  Get your support network active, even though that may be the last thing you feel like doing.  Talk to friends, clients, mentors, or counselors at HelpPeople.  While insurance lasts, seek treatment for any medical problems.  Social agencies may be able to help when money is short.

Job loss (continued)

You have suffered a loss.  In losing a job you may go through various components of grieving which include:

•         Denial – It is sometimes hard for our minds to accept that such a loss has taken place.

•         Anger – We may or may not have had control over the loss, so we react to our

vulnerability with anger.  We lash out at others or blame ourselves for the loss.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                               

•         Bargaining – We want to trade something we can do for the reversal of the loss, saying   

                              things like “I’d do anything if only this hadn’t happened”.

•         Depression – A feeling of hopelessness about the situation takes over.

•         Acceptance – We accept the reality of the situation and are able to move on in our lives.

 

Acceptance of the situation comes through grieving your loss so that you can make positive life changes.  With help you may eventually see this shock as an opportunity.  You are free to go back to school or you may find a better job.

 

Counseling will also help get rid of any negative substitutes such as overuse of alcohol or other drugs and overeating.  These substitutes can lead to more health, financial, and emotional problems.  If your job search goes on for more than six months, seek additional assistance.

 

Other Solutions

Ask for support from your family and friends.  You may feel like clamming up and suffering in silence but this is the time to talk.  Acknowledge your fears, disappointments and other feelings.  Maintain personal ties and social connections.

 

If you have children, talk to them about what happened and what you are going to do about it.  If you are not frank, their fears may increase.  Assure them that there will be food on the table but let them help you figure out some ways to conserve expenses.

 

Keep busy constructively.  Take care of your physical health with diet, exercise and rest.  Use your time to get closer to your family.  Don’t sit around and feel sorry for yourself.  Keep up with other recreational activities such as sports and hobbies.  Stay involved with other unemployed coworkers or other people.

 

Focus on strengths and abilities, rather than shortcomings or disabilities.  Unfortunately, people often tend to think in negative terms (I’m too old to learn something new).  Many qualities are transferable to most work situations, such as being responsible, trustworthy, mature and having a cooperative nature.

 

Counseling through the HelpPeople EAP can be vital.  This free and confidential service remains available to you even after you have experienced job loss.  You can reach an EAP counselor by calling 470-7447 or 800-777-6110.