By KATE LORENZ, CAREERBUILDER.COM EDITOR
Think a pink slip could be headed in your direction? Most people who are let go know their time is up or (in retrospect) say they should have seen it coming. While there are no sure signs of professional apocalypse, here are 12 clues your job may be in peril:
Kate Lorenz, CareerBuilder.com Editor
Think a pink slip could be headed in your direction? Most people who are let go know their time is up or (in retrospect) say they should have seen it coming. While there are no sure signs of professional apocalypse, here are 12 clues your job may be in peril:
1. You're Out of the Loop.
You no longer get advanced notice of company news or reports; and you seem to be losing your voice in organizational matters. You are not copied on memos you normally receive or invited to meetings you usually attend.
2. Your Boss Has an Eye on You.
You feel as if you're being scrutinized more closely and that your boss no longer trusts you. Your decisions are constantly questioned, your expense reports put under a microscope, and you have less latitude to work independently.
3. You're Getting the Siberia Treatment.
You used to know all the scoop -- be it business or social in nature. Now your co-workers avoid you and the last conversation you had with your superiors was a lame attempt at pleasant banter.
4. You Had a Bad Review.
You received a poor performance rating and a disproportionate amount of negative feedback. If you received a warning or were given a "performance improvement plan," it's really time to start packing!
5. Your Superior is Leaving Paper Trails.
Your boss communicates with you predominately in writing. You receive memos pointing out errors, criticizing your performance and confirming any meetings or discussions the two of you have had.
6. You and Your Boss Are Not Getting Along.
Corporate management will swear it's not personal, yet many downsizings are actually ways to get rid of unpopular or "black-listed" employees. Performance is a subjective judgment and managers are more likely to get rid of people they don't like.
7. Your Mentor is Gone.
The executive who always championed you has left the company or been rendered powerless.
8. You Publicly Messed Up.
You made a blatant error that embarrassed your boss or made the company look bad. Or, you're part of a team that goofed up and they need a scapegoat.
9. New Blood Has Taken Over.
Your company is about to merge, be acquired or undergo reorganization and your leader suddenly disappears. New hires have become the wave of the future and they've been given the directive to "shake things up."
10. You're Being Set Up to Fail.
You've been assigned to an undesirable territory or given impossible tasks with unrealistic deadlines and little support.
11. You've Been Stripped of Your Duties.
You've been asked to compile a report of all your ongoing projects and pushed hard to finish one or two specific projects. Or, you've been relieved of your core duties so that you can work on meaningless "special projects." You are encouraged not to do your usual long-term planning.
12. You're Hearing Rumors.
If you're hearing rumors of your demise, take heed: Where there's smoke, there's fire!
At one point or another we're all vulnerable to the proverbial corporate ax. Don't live in denial. If you recognize more than one of these signs, it's time to look for greener pastures and take steps to reverse your fate.
Next: 10 Worst Work Habits >>
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Search by Company | Search by IndustryKate Lorenz is the article and advice editor for CareerBuilder.com. She researches and writes about job search strategy, career management, hiring trends and workplace issues.
Copyright 2006 CareerBuilder.com.
Feb 12th 2009 @ 12:11PM ROBERT
SAY IT WITH ENTHUSIASM...
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Reply
Feb 17th 2009 @ 2:27PM Danita
Best option? Work for yourself. Then there are no signs!Enjoy what you do. Meet great people doing the same thing. Travel cheap! Help others do the same and have a thriving business! Be determined that this year will be different than last year! Check it out! http://www.danita.mydfilive.com
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Aug 4th 2009 @ 7:18PM Rather not say at this time
Well, this does sound familirar but I know that I was not fird becuase of my work(I was a top notch worker) I know that my boss wanted to let me go because she was jealous of the way I looked and how I got attention. My boss and I were only 5 years apart but if you looked at the both of us she looked 50 and I looked 20. What do you do when you are in a position like this? I wish I would have stood up to her but I felt helpless because she was my boss. It has caused me to have a complex (and not in a good way) I feel that because of the way I look, another woman will be jealous and that it prevents me from getting where I want to go.
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Aug 18th 2009 @ 9:00PM K.A. LIBERA
BEEN THERE DONE THAT. THE SURE SIGNS THING IS DEFINITELY TRUE. YOU ARE NOT ALONE. THE CRUX OF THE PROBLEM IS HARD TO UNDERSTAND. IT MADE ME BELIEVE THAT PEOPLE WHO ARE IN THE HIGHER POSITION ARE REALLY EVIL, HAVE A CHIP, & ARE VERY INSECURE. IT IS SAD AS A SOCIETY THAT WE CANNOT ALL BE CIVIL TO EACH OTHER & TREAT EACH OTHER LIKE THE GOLDEN RULE SAYS. WE CAN NO LONGER AGREE TO DISAGREE. I SEE THIS IS AS THE GREAT WEAKNESS IN MANKIND. I THINK IN SOME RESPECTS IT DOES PAY TO WORK FOR ONESELF.
Aug 27th 2009 @ 10:45AM Ethical
The signs are there if you are looking. The truth is we are really not looking but trying to work hard and do the right thing. I worked for a company that did to me as line 10 does state and you are shocked.
Most say its a deal, a promotion or they just need your help. Try to be cautious and colleagues who say they are out to help 9-10 are just out for themselves. Most set you up for failure because they are just scared you might take there position just because you are more educated or just have more experience to do so.
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Aug 27th 2009 @ 10:53AM Ethical
Stay away from companies like signature loan companies: Royal Management, Noble Finance, Customer Credit, Gentry Finance. If you want to be treated with respect and have your dignity I personally say to stay away from businesses like this.
Reply
Sep 27th 2009 @ 7:56PM tanashastarks
i will
Sep 25th 2009 @ 3:06PM Julie
Target, this is a company not to work for! People running these stores have a 2 yr buisness "degree" and they feel the lower people should WORSHIP them! I believe the public should know this company is not run in an ethinical way. The "little people" are pulled left & right by mgnt who do not know what the other mgrs are telling us to do. PLEASE public, do not shop there & do not work there!
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