Definition of Employment Terms

In the wild and wacky world of employment today there are many euphemisms and gentile or often misleading terms employed. For example to be fired is to be Pink Slipped. Or sometimes Laid Off is used to soften the blow. These are some of the often-heard terms tested by time.

However now it is becoming even more politically correct for the language as applied to the situation of losing one’s job. Human Resources often refer to the act of actually firing an individual as being de-hired or even un-recruited. Being let go from a job is considered to be in the top three intensely stressful situations an adult must face:

1. Death of spouse

2. Family member death

3. Job loss

Needless to say, the person who was fired or downsized goes thru the Seven Stages of GRIEF:

1. SHOCK & DENIAL-
You will probably react to loss of your job with numbed disbelief. You may deny the reality of the loss at some level, in order to avoid the pain. Shock provides emotional protection from being overwhelmed all at once. This may last for weeks.

2. PAIN & GUILT-
As the shock wears off, it is replaced with the suffering of unbelievable pain. Although excruciating and almost unbearable, it is important that you experience the pain fully, and not hide it, avoid it or escape from it with alcohol or drugs. You may have guilty feelings or remorse over things you did or didn't do with your loved one. Life feels chaotic and scary during this phase.

3. ANGER & BARGAINING-
Frustration gives way to anger, and you may lash out and lay unwarranted blame for the job loss on someone else. Please try to control this.

This is a time for the release of bottled up emotion.

You may rail against fate, questioning "Why me?" You may also try to bargain in vain with the powers that be for a way out of your despair ("I will never get fired again if you just give me another chance.")

4. "DEPRESSION", REFLECTION, LONELINESS-
Just when your friends may think you should be getting on with your life, a long period of sad reflection will likely overtake you. This is a normal stage of grief, so do not be "talked out of it" by well-meaning outsiders. Encouragement from others is not helpful to you during this stage of grieving.

During this time, you finally realize the true magnitude of your loss, and it depresses you. You may isolate yourself on purpose, reflect on things you did at work, and focus on memories of the past. You may sense feelings of emptiness or despair.

5. THE UPWARD TURN-
As you start to adjust to life without a job, your life becomes a little calmer and more organized. Your physical symptoms lessen, and your "depression" begins to lift slightly.

6. RECONSTRUCTION & WORKING THROUGH-
As you become more functional, your mind starts working again, and you will find yourself seeking realistic solutions to problems posed by life without employment. You will start to work on practical and financial problems and reconstructing yourself and your life without currently working.

7. ACCEPTANCE & HOPE-
During this, the last of the seven stages in this grief model, you learn to accept and deal with the reality of your situation. Acceptance does not necessarily mean instant happiness. Given the pain and turmoil you have experienced, you can never return to the carefree, untroubled YOU that existed before this tragedy. But you will find a way forward.

You will start to look forward and actually plan things for the future. Eventually, you will be able to think about your job loss without pain; sadness, yes, but the wrenching pain will be gone. You will once again anticipate some good times to come, and yes, even find joy again in the experience of living. There are after all companies that will hire you.

Thus, regardless of the current terminology of a person becoming unemployed, each human being takes a jolt to their pride, ego and sense of self worth. Fortunately in the long term, this situation does not last forever - and they are again actively employed. Then eventually these negative memories fade until the next time.

There always will be a next time. Prepare for it.