The words “you’re fired” are terrifying to hear for anyone. Once you come to an acceptance of what has happened, you may wonder what lies ahead. While you may not be able to make sense of what must be done next, remaining calm can be a great start.
Here are some of the best things you must consider after being fired.
Keep Your Composure
Hearing that you are fired from your employer can be devastating. At that moment, you may have several questions in your mind. How will you pay your mortgage? What will you tell your family? With so much on your mind, anger and frustration may take over.
Many people are unable to process the news of being fired and may react by shouting or storming off. If you also plan to do the same, you must let that thought go. Reacting unprofessionally can affect your professional life in the long run.
You can always take a moment to process the news and maintain your composure. Employers often communicate with each other, especially within the same industry. Your unprofessional conduct can damage your reputation and make it harder for you to find another job.
Avoid Signing Severance Documents
If you have been offered a severance package, you must not rush to sign it. Instead, take your time to review what it has to offer. You can always try to negotiate a better package to be able to deal with the loss of your job with comparative ease.
One of the most important things to remember is that severance packages do not have to be limited to the amount of money you get. You can also ask for an extension of health and retirement benefits. You can also persuade your former employer to agree that your separation was mutual to make a good impression on your potential employers in the future.
Evade Resigning Under Pressure
One of the biggest mistakes you can make is to resign when you are considering applying for unemployment. You must stand your ground, even when your employer is pressuring you into resigning without your consent.
In addition, employees who quit their jobs often get questioned about their loyalty to their company, as well as the financial challenges that make job-seeking harder. In order to avoid these challenges, you must remain calm and not give in to pressure from your employer.
Ask Questions
Being fired, especially when it is unexpected, can leave you confused and frustrated. In such times, getting the answer to hundreds of questions in your mind can take some of the burden off of your shoulders. You have the right to ask your employer why you have been terminated.
In addition to understanding why you have been terminated, you can also ask your employer questions about what lies ahead. From severance details and benefits extensions to reference policies, understanding each aspect of why you were fired can make everything ahead easier.
Consider Wrongful Termination
According to The Balance, an estimated 250,000 workers are wrongfully terminated every year. If you feel that you have not been fired on the basis of solid grounds, your firing may qualify as wrongful termination.
Many individuals in Colorado are taking legal action against their employers for wrongful termination. If you believe that discrimination or unfair treatment played a role in your dismissal, you can seek the help of a continency lawyer in Colorado who specializes in wrongful termination cases.
Wrongful termination lawyers with experience and expertise understand the complex laws relating to the situation. With their help, you can make the best of even the worst imaginable situation.
Take Care of Yourself
Once you have been fired from your job unexpectedly, everything around you may seem to fall apart. Many people agree that they even fall into depression after facing such a sudden change in their life. While feeling upset about such a situation is justified, you cannot let it take hold of your mental and physical well-being.
Finding a new job after being fired can take from days to weeks. You must stay strong through this period and take care of yourself at every step. Take every opportunity to relax, and you will feel more prepared to face any challenges that lie ahead.
Review Your Budget
Life can change drastically when you lose your job, especially in financial terms. Not having a paycheck to look up to can be scary. The sooner you start to understand your limitations, the better financial control you can take over your life.
When you lose your job, there is no way of knowing when you will be employed again. Therefore, it is always recommended that expenses be cut wherever possible. If you have any plans, it is best to put them on hold for some time.
If you have an emergency fund, it can be reassuring, but remember that you never know how far away your next paycheck is. Therefore, you should only use it when absolutely necessary. Unfortunately, some people drain their savings too quickly, only to have regrets later.
Look for Sources of Passive Income
Finances can be one of the biggest worries for someone who loses their job. In such circumstances, you do not have to wait for a permanent job to get all your problems sorted. While you seek the best job opportunities for yourself, you can find a temporary job and passive sources of earning income.
Temporary sources of income may not seem to add a lot to your portfolio, but they can prevent a gap in your employment. From freelance writing to delivering groceries, small gigs can become the ray of hope you need to make it in such challenging times.
In addition to working odd jobs, you can also consider renting out a spare room, teaching online courses, or even renting out your car. These mediums may not seem to boost your earnings exceptionally, but they can help you get by till you find the best job according to your skills.
