Experiencing Tech Downsizing is Akin to Coping with Loss

Workplace Grief: Understanding and Navigating Job Losses and Reassignments

While traditional associations of grief typically revolve around loss of life or health, mental health experts and organizational leaders concur that significant changes in the workplace – layoffs, project reassignments, or job losses – can trigger similar reactions that warrant recognition and processing.

In these scenarios, "a big change at work...is a loss in some way," explains Gary McClain, a New York-based therapist. When employees are subjected to unexpected or unwanted changes, they may find themselves grieving.

In the rapidly evolving tech sector, where job stability remains a constant concern, reports indicate that over 95,000 US tech workers experienced layoffs in 2024 – a reduction from approximately 191,000 in 2023. Tech professionals, particularly in Boulder and Denver-metro area, express additional stress associated with maintaining professional status in a rapidly changing industry.

The sudden nature of layoffs and reassignments in tech can contribute to escalating anxiety and decreased morale, as employees often learn of their job status via electronic means or indirect channels. This adds pressure on managers to communicate changes in a sensitive, empathetic manner.

Trina Clayeux, CEO of Give an Hour – an organization supporting mental health in underserved communities – emphasizes that managers must be mindful of their feelings and pressures when addressing layoffs, ensuring open, compassionate communication. Taking an empathetic approach can help create a safe space for affected employees to digest the news.

Effective techniques include communicating the change in a calm, confidential setting, offering necessary steps and resources, and expressing gratitude for the individual's past contributions. Such considerations can help employees remember their interactions with management as a moment of empathy and support during challenging times.

For workers facing layoffs or role transitions, it is essential to acknowledge their emotions, reflect on the situation, seek support from friends, family, or mental health professionals, and focus on the future by setting realistic short-term goals. Engaging in self-care routines, such as exercise, meditation, or pursuing hobbies, can also aid in moving forward. Remembering what one is good at and discovering new ways to utilize those skills can help alleviate feelings of loss.

As the winding road of employment continues, it is essential to recognize grief as a natural part of the process. By employing empathetic communication strategies and providing appropriate support to both managers and employees, organizations can help ease the burden of transition for workers facing job losses or reassignment. The importance of acknowledging, validating, and addressing grief during these times cannot be overstated.

Cybersecurity professionals in the tech sector, particularly in areas like Boulder and Denver-metro, may face additional stress due to job losses and the rapidly changing industry, underscoring the need for workplace-wellness programs that address mental-health concerns.
In light of the high number of layoffs reported in the tech industry, its impact on finance and business is extensive, highlighting the importance of career-development and job-search resources for tech workers.
Organizations can foster a health-and-wellness culture by encouraging education-and-self-development, empowering employees to manage their feelings, seek support, and adapt during transitions like layoffs or reassignment.
By focusing on mental-health, education, and career-development amidst cybersecurity changes, tech companies can demonstrate their commitment to workplace wellbeing and job stability.
As the tech industry and other businesses navigate the challenges of the future, prioritizing open conversations, empathetic communication, and addressing grief could lead to an environment that values job security, employee wellbeing, and overall business success.