Next in line for the sack?

A question about : Next in line for the sack?

As some will know I used to frequent these boards quite often last year after suffering in the job from hell for 2 years. Well I managed to escape and got my current job last May and I can honestly say I have never been happier, love the job, love the people can't say a bad thing about my job. Well law of sod a big client pulled out after Xmas and we have been very slack since. We are now running with just 4 people having sacked 4 over this past 2 weeks.

I am next in line as the rest have been with the company 10+ years, so I guess what I am asking is what would you do now? Do I start searching and applying again? Do I hold off? I know I could get a job on Monday morning in my old company from hell but I wouldn't be lying if I said it did literally make me suicidal. I wouldn't want to jump ship and leave this job in case maybe things pick up as I really love the job.

Best answers:

• Just wait and see I'd say as you never know.
  This doesn't mean " do not look what is out there" and meanwhile try to save as much as you can.
• In general I would agree with the wait and see advice. However, I'm pretty sure that in the past you will have been told that getting a new job is easier if you already have one. If you only have a short notice period then it might not be possible to find a new job in that time, which would see you back on JSA looking.
  I'd seriously consider taking at least some time now to see what might be available for you. At least this time you'll have the benefit of some solid experience behind you, and hopefully a decent reference if you do have to move elsewhere.
  Good luck!
• I would be keeping a close ear to the ground for news a) at your current company and b) in other companies to see where work is currently going.
  I'd polish my cv. Update my linked in profile.
  I'd look around and see if there were any quick wins for training/does your current company offer anything (Even if it's inhouse online training).
  Are you in a position where you are able to tighten your belt a little/save a bit to provide a small cushion? Even if all you can do is put a tin of soup/beans etc away each week when you do the shopping.
  df
• My boss is an approachable guy, I'm out every day with him for a smoke break, perhaps I should just ask him where I stand?
  The guys who got the sack where actually there a lot longer than me, I guess my only saving grace was I have 15/16 years experience in this role.
  It just depresses me because I have worked in really crap companies all my life, some times for many years, I finally find one I love and it goes tits up months after I join. This firm has been going 30+ years, sods bloody law.
• I would stay put seeing as you like your job, but keep looking and if there is something you really do like more there is no harm in applying.
  I have come to realise that things can happen out the blue. My husband was made redundant with no warning at all. Was at work at 9am and clearing his desk at 11am! If you can prepare by getting your cv in order and putting some money by just in case the worst happens that's good. However if you like the job and you do it well don't worry too much. You could go somewhere else and be made redundant or you could stay where you are and be happily employed for years. Personally I don't thing job security exists anymore.
• I've come to realise it not the job itself that makes me happy, sure I like the work yes but its the people I work with, the fimr I work for that make me love working there and that is really hard to find.
• If you are in good terms with your boss, you may tell him that you are worried rather than asking directly whether it is you next.
  This would be up to you to decide though as your boss might be understanding or meet you with a complete silence which you might find disturbing.
  Overall, I'd suggest to save up a bit , edit your CV, keep an eye on other jobs out there as suggested above.
  A lot of people had to leave a company they love so no such advice would be exist for this, it is difficult for everyone and I understand this but if it happens, one must care for himself first.
• OK I approached the boss who assured me we have enough work for the time being and my job is safe, he says we just had to many staff so not sure what to make of that.
  However one thing that has developed that has really annoyed me is that since these other guys left me and me alone has had to pick up their work as well as my own. I was already flat out before hand but things have just got a whole lot worse now, the other guys see themselves as "to good" to be doing these other guys jobs. I can't say anything to the boss as its such a small firm,
• Try and analyse how the others were picked.
  You are probably the cheapest to let go as no redundancy but if they paid out allready then exit money is not the primary selection motivator.
  I would look at the skill set required to do the work and how that work load is currently distributed. And how it would go if each of you left.
  What do you each do and how would that be picked up.
  If you are doing stuff no one else can do(or wants to) and you can pick up everything the others do you are in a strong position.
  It is probably obvious that those left don't like doing the lesser work and you have picked it up, no harm in a bit of self promotion.
  eg.
  You can approach this with the boss over a fag break, under the banner of vacation planning.
  Hey boss X,Y,Z don't seem keen on doing a,b,c how will we plan for that week off I have booked so the work does not get dropped.