Whether you saw it coming or it came as a total shock, a company layoff can turn life upside down. And it’s not only the employees who are let go that suffer. The employees left behind—after giving a sigh of relief—now face the prospect of picking up the pieces as they process what’s happened.
Surviving a layoff often leaves employees with a jumble of emotions that culminate into what is called layoff guilt. The relief of not losing a job turns into guilt and feelings of shock morph into anxiety over what the future holds. The initial grief following the sudden loss of coworkers can evolve into feelings of anger. And this guilt can have a significant impact on both someone’s personal and professional life.
An article from Indeed.com highlighted several findings regarding the impact of layoffs on those who keep their jobs. A 2023 report found more than 7 out of 10 leaders said recent layoffs harmed their health, with almost 40% citing an increase in anxiety and/or depression. A 2022 survey reported that “71% of layoff survivors felt their work motivation declined after layoffs, 65% reported feeling overworked, and 61% were less likely to recommend their organization as a great workplace.”
Surviving
In the days and weeks following a layoff, it can be easy to stay frozen and become stagnant. However, it’s important that you get your feet back under you and have a plan for what to do next. After such a big upheaval, you should have two priorities: helping yourself and helping your laid-off colleagues.
Take Care of Yourself
To keep moving forward after surviving a layoff, there are three steps you should take:
- Acknowledge your emotions. Avoiding or ignoring your feelings will not help you in the days ahead. So, let yourself feel everything. Give each feeling a name: guilt, gratitude, anxiety, anger, fear, confusion, grief.
- Talk to someone. Don’t try to process your experience and emotions all alone. Find people you can safely talk to, whether it’s at work, outside the office, or both. A team leader or HR representative may be able to help you understand what happened and what to expect in the future, while a friend or loved one may be better placed to let you vent your emotions.
- Control what you can. At a time when your work life can feel out of control, it’s important to focus on what you still have power over. You can still do your job efficiently and effectively. You can look for the gaps left by the departed employees and offer to take up the slack. And, you can even update your resume and professional online presence to bolster your confidence.
Support Your Colleagues
It’s only after you’ve taken care of yourself that you can be of the most help to your laid-off coworkers. As Harvard Business Review points out, “Remember that it’s very difficult to support other people when you’re struggling. As worried as you may be about the colleagues who lost their jobs, you can’t help them without sorting through your own emotions first.”
But, once you’re ready, there are several ways you can support your former coworkers:
- Acknowledge what happened. You may feel awkward at first, but addressing the fact they were laid off will clear the air and give you both more freedom to communicate what you’re feeling.
- Show empathy. Your colleagues are working through their own jumble of emotions right now. Be there to listen to their thoughts, validate their feelings, and give encouragement when appropriate.
- Provide tangible assistance. As they move beyond their emotions, begin to process the realities of being laid off, and consider what comes next, there are a multitude of practical ways you can help. Offer to review their resumes or be a job reference. Invite them to professional networking events. Forward any job possibilities you come across. Share their information with other employers you know.
The guilt of surviving a layoff when your coworkers did not is a very real thing—but it doesn’t have to last forever. And, whether you’re the one looking for a new job, or a recently laid-off coworker is, working with a staffing expert can make the process easier. Contact your local Express Employment Professionals, Express Healthcare Staffing, or Specialized Recruiting Group office to learn how we support those searching for a new role.
Last Updated on September 2, 2025
