Warning Signs: Indicators that Your Job May be at Risk

How to watch for tell-tale signs so you can be pepared

In the new millenium, you must understand that your employment may be at risk. This realization will minimize the time period of any break in your career. It is essential to maintain constant sensitivity to the ongoing economic and political nature of your employer, your relationship with your boss and peers, and how the market is responding to your company's products.

Warning signs may be those which relate directly to you as a specific employee, or may be because your company is reducing its workforce. In either case, there are a number of indicators that you should watch for.

Your boss may give you subtle indications that your future employment is no longer certain. Possibly there has been some major event in your life that has caused your performance to slump. If you recognize that any of these things are happening to you, do not panic. In and of themselves they do not necessarily indicate a situation that cannot be corrected.

Here are some Warning signs to watch for:

·         Instead ofcoming to you for information, discussion and decisions, your boss is meeting with your subordinates directly.

·         You feel left out of the decision-making process.  After years of superior ratings, you suddenly receive average or below ratings.

·         You don't have enough work now, even though you once had a demanding job.

·         You have a new boss you've never worked with before, and he goes out of his way to tell you no changes are going to be made in the organization. I

·         Another company has taken over your company and all·of the senior management people are from the takeover company.

·         Your boss has been fired and the two of you were viewed to be close. It Across-the-board cutbacks are pending and your performance has been rated as average.

·         Your boss has stopped communicating with you.

·         You don't know exactly who your boss is.

·         Different people keep giving you orders, and you are not sure whose orders you should take.

·         Your superiors neglect to tell you about significant leadership changes at the top which affect your position.

·         You don't look forward to going to work in the morning.

·         You have undergone a couple of major stress episodes in the past year.

·         A recent family crisis, such as divorce or death of a family member, has negatively impacted your performance.

·         Your colleagues avoid you either in the cafeteria, in the hall, or fail to return your phone calls promptly.

·         Your performance appraisal is delayed - your boss keeps making excuses why he doesn't have one for you yet.

·         For no apparent reason, people start treating you nicer than ever before.

·         You are asked to write a manual on what you do in your job.

·         Without warning, your office has been moved.

·         A special assignment at a geographically undesirable location has been given to you.

·         Your boss has begun talking directly to your customers and vendors.

If one or two of these sound familiar, do not panic. But if several of these events have happened to you recently, you should begin preparing to find a new job. This is not to say that your present position cannot be saved, but a decision may be pending to count you out. Only by carefully assessing your marketable capabilities, looking closely at the marketplace and preparing to change jobs can you adequately deal with what may be coming. Don't wait until they give you a pink slip. Take steps now to minimize a possible break in your career.

Dise & Company is a global human resource consulting firm that provides innovative and strategic solutions through corporate outplacement, executive search, and leadership coaching services. For a confidential consultation with no obligation whatsoever, please contact us today.

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