OMAHA (KPTM) -- Whether you've been laid off, or you know someone who has, the economy is affecting a lot of people these days. Experts say it can create stress and anxiety for people out work, even fear and guilt for people still on the job.
Omaha and Nebraska have been more fortunate than other parts of the country, but companies of all kinds are still cutting back, leaving employees and former workers struggling to adjust.
Terry Coleman's phone rings a lot more than it used to. Some are calls from businesses needing help breaking the bad news to employees, losing their jobs. "We've had requests to counsel on site when they have a layoff, so they can just talk to a counselor about 'Omigosh! I can't believe this has happened to me, now how am I going to survive?'" Coleman said.
But Methodist Hospital's Best Care Employee Assistance Program also does much more than that. "Notifier training is really important because managers are in a predicament when they do this, it's nothing they like to do, companies don't like to do this, and they're not trained really in that area," said job loss support consultant Pat Cavanah.
Counselors teach company leaders how to lay off with compassion, and then help workers pick up the pieces and move on. "How to go out and look for a job, how to network," Cavanah said.
Helping people realize, it's not personal and it's not the end of the world. "A job loss is not permanent. It's temporary and that's what people need to look at and know that they can go on from there and continue on. Because they have to look internally and know that they've got a lot to offer to an employer," Cavanah said.
Then there's what experts call "survivor's guilt" or feeling bad for still having a paycheck and the worry that comes along with it. "The anxiety of wondering if you're going to be the next one laid off is certainly very, very real," Coleman said.
But no matter what, experts say it's important to keep a positive attitude. "You help people see that yes, it seems like you're doing more, you're working harder and maybe you are working harder, but you're living up to your potential. That's a positive thing, it doesn't have to be seen as negative all the time," Coleman said.
Counselors say no matter your current job situation, try not to panic and don't stop taking care of the important things, like the physical health and emotional wellbeing of you and your family. Experts say even if you're going through tough times financially, many times lifestyle changes can help alleviate some of those problems.
The Best Care Employee Assistance Program isn't just for job related issues. Counselors offer short-term help to employees of the companies they serve, no matter the problem. For more information, businesses can call (402) 354-8000 or (800) 666-8606.
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If you are considering a layoff or have experienced change in your organization, contact Best Care EAP to speak with Pat Cavanah, a specialist in Job Loss Support Services. Whatever stage of the process you are in, we can customize a program for your specific transition needs. Call us today at 402-354-8000 or 800-666-8606.
