How to Behave if You are Laid Off

Stuff cuts are a stressful and uncertain situation, which, unfortunately, every IT specialist may face sooner or later. The rapid evolution of technology, changes in business strategies and economic fluctuations often lead to a revision of the staffing needs of companies. However, it is essential to remember that downsizing is not the end but a new opportunity. In this article, we will look at how to respond correctly to a notice of redundancy, how to remain calm and confident, and what steps to take to find new career opportunities in the rapidly changing world of information technology. Understanding your rights, conducting a constructive dialogue with your employer and taking active steps to prepare for the future are vital aspects that can help you get through this challenging period and come out of it with new prospects.

Why is it Essential for an IT Specialist to Know How to Behave when Laid Off

Knowing how to behave when laid off is especially important for IT employees for several reasons:

1. To Know Your Rights and Opportunities
Understanding your rights is a powerful tool that can help you avoid unfair treatment by the employer, such as issues with compensation or late notification. It’s a key aspect of being in control of your career transition. Understanding labour legislation will help you effectively defend your interests and take advantage of legitimate benefits.

2. To Adapt to Changes
The IT industry is developing rapidly, and flexibility and adaptability are essential skills for finding a new job. The ability to respond to changes in the professional environment can contribute to positive career changes.

3. For Professional Reputation
The correct behaviour during the redundancy demonstrates professionalism. It can leave a positive impression on the employer, which will simplify the possibility of receiving recommendations in the future. A good attitude towards a colleague or employer in a difficult moment can help in the future when looking for a job or in the professional community.

4. For Networking
Networking and actively communicating with your professional contacts can open doors to new vacancies and opportunities that may not be advertised on major platforms. Knowing how to behave and who to contact for support can help establish valuable connections.

5. To Find a New Job
Understanding the necessary steps after a redundancy allows you to organize your job search more effectively and allocate time for professional development. Writing a resume, passing interviews, and communicating with potential employers are extremely important in an active job search.

6. For Personal Finance Management
Understanding the situation will help effectively manage finances and resources during the transition period, which is especially important for IT professionals facing uncertainty and temporary difficulties.

In general, knowing how to behave when laid off allows IT employees to cope with current difficulties and build a more successful career in the future, using the experience gained in a difficult situation.

Legal Aspects of the Redundancy of Employees in Belarus

The employer must notify the employee in writing in advance about the dismissal due to redundancy. You must receive a notice of dismissal two months before the scheduled date of dismissal. At the same time, the employer must inform the employment authorities about the dismissal of employees due to staff redundancy. Otherwise, a fine of 5 to 15 basic units is possible.

An employee cannot be laid off on sick leave or vacation. Such dismissal is possible when a company division is liquidated in the area where the employee is hired (when the parent company is located in another location) or when the company is liquidated.

Which Employees Cannot be Reduced

Belarus has established a ban on the redundancy of employees who belong to the following categories:

Pregnant women.
Women who have a child under three years old.
Single parents who have children under the age of 14, and if the child is disabled, then under the age of 18.

Which Employees Have the Advantage of Staying at Work in Case of Layoffs in the Company

The state has determined that employees with higher productivity and qualifications should stay at work during layoffs, as well as:

Participants in the liquidation of the Chernobyl nuclear power plant accident.
Persons who have suffered radiation sickness due to radiation accidents.
People with disabilities.

In case of layoffs in the company, such employees must first be provided with another job, or measures must be taken to employ them in another company.

What Should an Employer Do during the Redundancy Warning Period

During the redundancy notice period, the employer must offer the employee a transfer to another job. The work must be feasible for the employee, considering his qualifications and speciality. Such a transfer requires the employee’s written consent or a written refusal.
With the employee’s permission, he can be sent for professional retraining.
With the employee’s consent, he can be dismissed before the end of the two-month notice period.

What Should an Employee Do after Being Warned About a Redundancy

During the period of warning about redundancy before dismissal, the employee must fulfil his duties, follow the internal work schedule, and receive wages on an equal basis with other employees.

An employee has the right to one free day per week to search for work. By default, wages for this day are not accrued, but the employer can save the employee’s earnings for this day.

An employee may resign before the end of the two-month warning period for redundancy or may request that the warning period be replaced with compensation.

Compensation Instead of a Warning

Instead of warning about the reduction, the employer may ask the employee to agree to two months’ average salary compensation. If the employee agrees, he is dismissed without waiting two months after the warning about the redundancy.

The employee may be offered compensation after he has been notified in writing of the dismissal. If the employee agrees to the compensation, its amount is determined in proportion to the time remaining until the end of the notice period of the redundancy. The employer can offer the employee compensation electronically; making a written offer is unnecessary.

What Payments Does an Employee Receive when They are Laid Off

All payments the company owes to the employee are transferred to him no later than the day of dismissal (the last day of work). The employee is paid wages for the time worked and compensation for unused vacation. If an employee is entitled to bonuses that are accrued based on the work results for the reporting period, such amounts are paid to the employee after dismissal—at the time when the salary of the company’s employees is paid. If the employee has agreed to compensation instead of working for two months, this payment is made by the day of dismissal. When dismissed due to downsizing, an employee is paid severance pay no later than the day of dismissal: at least three times the average monthly salary.

What Documents Does an Employee Receive when Laid off

The employee must receive a written warning about the redundancy. This warning may not be given if he was offered compensation instead of redundancy and the employee agreed. Also, the employee usually receives a copy of the order of the head of the company on dismissal for redundancy. On the day of dismissal, the employee is given a work record with a record of dismissal.

Important Things to Remember for an IT Professional Who Has been Warned of Layoffs

Receiving a notice of impending layoffs is always a complex and emotionally charged process. An IT professional needs to understand how to respond appropriately and what steps to take in this situation. Here are some key points to consider:

1. Understanding the Legal Aspects

Employment Contract: Review the terms of your employment contract; it may contain provisions for additional payments and compensation in the event of layoffs.
Legislation: Research local labor laws on layoffs. You may need to consult an employment lawyer.

2. Emotional Support

Psychological support: Don’t be afraid to reach out to friends, family, or professional psychologists. Discussing your feelings and experiences can help you cope with the situation.
Communities and networks: Communicating with colleagues or people from your professional network can be very useful. It can be a source of support and new acquaintances.

3. Assess Your Skills

Competency Analysis: Understanding your strengths, weaknesses, and in-demand skills in the job market is an important step. You may need to update your knowledge or learn new skills.
Certifications and Courses: Consider earning additional certifications or taking courses to increase competitiveness.

4. Find New Opportunities

Update Your Resume: Update your resume and professional social media profiles (such as LinkedIn) to reflect all your accomplishments and skills.
Networking: Actively leverage your network. Long-standing colleagues, acquaintances, and professional contacts can help you find new opportunities.
Systematic Job Search: Set your job search goals, including submitting several applications per week and attending recruiting events.
Consider Freelancing: Consider offering your skills to companies as a freelancer. It will require working under a civil contract rather than an employment contract.
Consider setting up a sole proprietorship or becoming self-employed.

5. Financial Planning

Budget: Review your budget and cut unnecessary expenses if you anticipate financial difficulties.
Safety Cushions: Evaluate your savings and consider how long you can survive without your primary income.

6. Maintain a Professional Image

Positive Approach: Maintaining a positive image when communicating with potential employers and online is essential. Don’t let negative emotions or feelings of loss affect your professional interactions. Focus on the Future: Use this time as an opportunity for professional growth and development.

Receiving a layoff notice is difficult, but with the right approach, you can not only cope with it but also discover new ways to develop yourself. The key is to stay calm, assess your capabilities, and take action.