I’ve talked before about the importance of taking the high road — even when you don’t want to or can’t see the immediate benefit.  As we see more and more companies laying people off you might just find yourself facing an HR representative handing you a termination notice.  This happened today to a client who called and asked for advice about how to handle a number of aspects of her separation from a company at which she worked for over 20 years. 

During our first phone call she was in shock.  I explained that the loss of a job (especially one where you’ve worked for many years and have many close friends and colleagues) follows the same pattern of emotions as the loss of a loved one: denial, anger, bargaining depression, acceptance. I reminded her that she had many skills that would valuable elsewhere but focusing on the next job right now might not be quite as important as dealing with her feelings and giving herself time to grieve.  With a hefty separation package she had a financial cushion to help her get through it. 

Then came the second call a few hours later.  She’d been talking to others who were laid off today also and collectively they’d worked themselves into quite an angry state.  I laughed and said she’d reached the second phase of loss quicker than I thought she would.  Others were saying there was no reason to go back to work for their last day tomorrow since they were terminated today and they should let the employer fend for itself.  The separation papers had today’s date and they believed they would not be paid for tomorrow anyway. 

I told her my advice would be to take the high road and go to work but let HR know that she was doing this with the assumption she would not be paid.  The woman was somewhat resistant, suggesting that I was being a pushover and why should she work for nothing.  Once again I emphasized that you never slam a door on your way out and since in our first conversation she said she wanted to do freelance work for the company in the future, management would judge her by her actions in this situation.

She copied me on an e-mail she sent to HR explaining that even though it appeared she would not be paid for tomorrow she would be in as usual because after 20 years it was the professional thing to do.  In it she asked that she be considered for freelance opportunities that might arise.  In short, she took the high road.  And you know what… HR wrote back assuring her that she would indeed be paid for her last day and that the separation papers would be changed to reflect this.  In addition, they applauded her professionalism under difficult circumstances and promised to keep her in mind for those freelance jobs. 

Whether or not she’s ever contacted for freelance work isn’t really the point.  In the face of this devastating loss for her (she described her department as a “family” she would miss) she acted with integrity and that is something she’ll never regret.  While her colleagues are on that crowded “low road” she’ll be able to look herself in the mirror.  And I have a hunch good things will come to her in return.

TAGS: Handling layoffs, integrity, taking the high road