Forced Out! Rarely Are You Blindsided

 Typically, it is so obvious that you are being forced out of an organization that when the exit actually occurs it's a downright relief. 

It almost isn't emotionally relevant if you pull the plug or that's done for you. Of course, it is financially and legally very relevant what terms and conditions you will negotiate. Those could be associated with if you resign or if hold on and are fired. So, as you pick up that you might be iced out it could be wise to consult an employment lawyer. 

Yet there are those who come to me for intuitive coaching who contend getting the boot was a shock. 

Admittedly there are some organizations so skilled in concealing their cards that you are blindsided. A setting for that is the professional services niche.

In law firms, for example, some partners are known to keep you laboring long hours and preoccupied with producing quality work products right up until the day on your calendar pops up the meeting with HR and the partner.

In this volatile time in global business, however, many of the signals messaging that you are on short time have become familiar. You should be aware of those processes and the vibrations. 

However, let's go over some of them:

Too much work, with no additional support given. The expectations include your quitting or the work quality declines so much that firing is appropriate. However, in this era of cost-efficiency the agenda could simply be to save money, not drive you out.

The pressure, though, can be so high that you should seek out a trusted friend or a professional career expert to assess your options. At Sidley law firm overloaded with work 42-year old partner Gabe MacConaill committed suicide. Nothing is worth your life.

Little or no work. That is often the fate of those who step out of line politically. Many whistleblowers wind up coming in every day with nothing to do. 

Another scenario is that there actually is little to do. Because there is you could wind up on the chopping block, through no fault of your own. Your unit is slow. In management consulting that's called "being on the bench."

Being left off email lists, not being invited to meetings and being snubbed in casual interactions such as running into others in the corridor. At first this might seem like an oversight. Then you connect the dots.

Passed over for a promotion. Historically that meant you "had to" leave. But that might not always be the case. 

Paul Weiss chair Brad Karp noted that not being voted in as equity partner but allowed to take on the role of non-equity partner at the law firm could give you the opportunity to further prepare yourself for the big job. 

As organizations continually restructure and as fewer professionals leave promotions have become tricky business.  

Public humiliation. Superiors chew you out in the presence of others. Soon enough even your peers realize they have permission to come down on you, both in public and in private. Yes, you are being targeted.

A lackluster performance review. This could occur after continuous excellent ones. Someone might want you out. Or maybe your performance has become subpar. 

Reduction in compensation, be it salary, bonus or Profit Per Equity Partner. This isn't happening firm-wide, only to you and maybe some others being encouraged to leave.

Pipped. You are formally assigned to a Proposal to Improve Performance. Not often does anyone survive that. 

Increasingly it has become necessary to hedge on what it takes to ensure you can pay your bills. More and more, clients want me to review what they report is happening in their workplace in order to have confirmed if they are on the way out. 

Hedges include:

Establishing multiple sources of income. 

Having a lifestyle of living below your earning power.

Understanding employment law in your state.

Doing due diligence of personnel practices at the business before you take the job or contract position. Professional anonymous networks help with that. They include Reddit, Fishbowl, Blind and Glassdoor.

Request a written contract.

Meanwhile detach from a one-dimensional preoccupation with the job. That frequently boosts your success. "Success" I define as the ability to hold on to the job or contract position. 

Business can be especially tricky in these uncertain times. Get insight – and peace of mind. Jane Genova is a results-driven confidential intuitive coach, tarot reader and content-creator related to careers. Complimentary consultation (please text/phone 203-468-8579 or email janegenova374@gmail.com)