The Roller Coaster of Corporate Lay-Offs. How to Keep Your Job During Downsizing
During times of corporate downsizing, most people feel feel anxious, angry, helpless, uncertain, or frustrated. Your whole world can seem like it’s in limbo. Even if you’re fairly certain that your job is safe, others around you may be impacted.
Having worked for many years in oil and gas in HR, I have been through many cycles of boom and bust. In addition, I’ve seen the mechanics of downsizing from behind the scenes and know what factors are typically considered when deciding who to lay off.
The first thing to realize is that many aspects of a company’s decision to downsize are out of your control. It often has a great deal to do with external economics, decisions in head office and many other factors that you can’t change.
Getting downsized is NOT a reflection on your worth or value as a human being.
While you can’t control every factor, there are smart, proactive steps you can take to reduce your risk of being let go. And also, taking these actions can be useful throughout your career.
I’ll share with you 10 things you can do to increase your chances of remaining employed during lay-offs.
Top 10 Ways to Keep Your Job During Downsizing
1. Build a Visible Track Record of Results
Don’t assume your work speaks for itself. Document your contributions and make sure they’re known. It’s not enough that you know the value of the work you do – others – and in particular, decision makers need to know too.
If you feel uncomfortable speaking positively about yourself or worry that you’ll seem like you’re bragging, push past that. Afterall, secretly doing well is fine but does you no good when others are making decisions about promotions, bonuses or layoffs. There are many ways to include your accomplishments in updates. For example, include “wins and challenges” in your personal or team update meetings.
- Provide regular summaries to your manager. This can be done in a friendly weekly email update or in person. Managers often appreciate this effort and connection, AND it is a great way to ensure your achievements are kept top of mind – even if you are a humble person.
- Quantify achievements (e.g., “reduced processing time by 25%,” “increased engagement by 40%”).
- When appropriate, share wins in team meetings—without bragging, but with clarity and pride. Be sure to recognize others efforts and achievements as well.
Managers making tough decisions will remember those who consistently deliver.
2. Be Solution Focused
Show up to work with a solution-focused mindset and consistently demonstrate the value your work brings.
- Focus more on solutions, not problems. Come not just with a problem that needs to be solved, but also your ideas around possible solutions.
- Take on tasks that align with company priorities.
- Offer to help with projects that are understaffed or high-impact.
3. Cultivate a Broad Perspective
Develop an ability to think beyond your own job, speciality or department with a cross functional perspective. Cultivate an understanding of the organization as a whole, and the way various parts of the company interact and support one another. Develop connections in other departments. Having people in various parts of the company know your work and speak highly of you never hurts and can be of great advantage. It can be a factor to help you keep your job during downsizing.
4. Strengthen Cross-Functional Relationships
Layoff decisions often involve input from multiple departments. If only your direct team knows and values you, your job may be more vulnerable.
Make allies in other teams.
Volunteer for cross-departmental projects.
Help others when you have the capacity—it builds goodwill and visibility.
The more people who see you as a positive asset, the safer your seat becomes.
5. Don't be Vulnerable to Downsizing - Upskill and Stay Relevant
If cuts are coming, the most “future-ready” employees often have the best shot at staying.
Take training opportunities—even small ones.
Learn new systems, software, or tools the company is adopting.
Ask your supervisor what skills will be in demand in the next 6–12 months and get ahead of the curve.
Employees who grow while others coast are often seen as investments worth keeping.
6. Align Yourself with Revenue, Efficiency, or Innovation
In hard times, companies protect the people closest to the money, strategy, or cost savings.
If you’re in a support role, show how your work enables revenue-generating teams to succeed.
Look for ways to reduce waste or increase efficiency—and track results.
Propose simple, creative improvements that solve recurring problems.
Being tied to outcomes that affect the bottom line makes you harder to cut.
7. Stay Professional, Positive, and Adaptable
In uncertain times, morale drops. But being a calm, steady presence sets you apart.
Don’t gossip about layoffs—especially not online.
Be someone people enjoy working with.
Embrace new systems or processes without resistance.
Managers often prioritize team players with good energy over more technically skilled employees who drain morale.
8. Let Strength, Not Fear Guide You
Continually remind yourself that you are a valuable person with great skills to contribute. Remind yourself of the times in your life that you met challenges and got through hard times.
Know that you are strong and resilient.
Whether you stay or go, you can get through this.
9. Stay True to Yourself
No job is worth letting your self down or going against your values. If you have been wondering if you are in the right job or feel that you are letting other people’s values and desires drive your life, it’s time to get clear on your own values and your own goals. Downsizing can be a time that highlights your own feelings of mismatch or open doors to new career opportunities. It can be the fire that motivates you to find work you really love, rather than staying just becuase it’s comfortable.
10. Always Have an Exit Plan
Even if you are the most dedicated, top performing amazing team player, you can still lose your job to downsizing.
Create an exit plan for yourself. Take inventory of your strengths and skills. These skills are valuable and can be transferred to another job in another company or industry.
Check out job advertisements and postings elsewhere. Polish up your resume. Apply for other jobs confidentially.
Stay in charge of yourself and your career.
Never let yourself become wholly dependant on working for a specific company.
