In these times there seems to be a lot to be anxious about. One anxiety shared by many is the threat of job loss. One estimate is that as of September 2010, the unemployment rate in the United States was 9.60 percent. To put this into perspective, in November of 1982 we experienced a historical high of 10.80 percent unemployment and in May of 1953 there was a record low of 2.50 percent. (Source: Trading Economics).
Newsweek recently reported on some of the results from a Harvard Institute of Politics poll which took a look at young voters between the ages of 18 to 29 years of age. They found the following about how our young people view their job and financial situation:
• Nearly half of the Harvard poll respondents said they were worried about losing their job.
• Forty-five percent described their financial situation as bad.
• Only fourteen percent of the young people who go to a four-year college believe that they will have an easy time of finding a job once they graduate.
Young people are not the only ones to worry in this economy. In a fascinating and frightening article entitled, Pink Slips and Poor Health: The Toxicity of Job Insecurity, author Tom Jacobs cites research to show that workers over the age of forty who lose their jobs can expect a loss of life expectancy of one to one and a half years. This clearly shows that job loss can be detrimental to one’s health. People who are let go from their jobs are not the only ones at risk. Other research seems to indicate that people who are employed but are fearful and anxious about losing their job are also at risk for health problems. The mental state of chronic insecurity and anxiety takes a human toll that we have only just begun to examine.
If you are in this boat of being worried about your job and anxiety is beginning to affect your day to day functioning, then it is time to take some action. In these difficult times you need to build up your emotional stamina and resistance to stress.
Here are some tips to help you get through these economically turbulent times:
• Remember that your value, your worth as a person, and your self esteem is not dependent upon your job. Anyone, despite their hard work, talents, and occupational achievements can be let go from their job. It is unfair. It doesn’t make sense. But it does happen. It is imperative that you maintain your sense of self worth regardless of what happens with your job.
• It is good to keep your resume updated. Not only will this help to prepare you for any opportunities, it is psychologically uplifting to see all of your accomplishments, experience, and occupational achievements listed in this visual way.
• Find support within your company. If you are feeling anxious about your job, chances are your co-workers are too. Talking with others who are in the same boat may help. Sometimes the shared experience of possible loss pulls people together. Some of your trusted co-workers may have ideas of how to cope if they have been through such a situation before.
