The Career Growth Podcast

Ep 02 - Managing Survivor guilt amidst lay-offs

Teja Gudluru Season 1 Episode 2

The mass tech layoffs have not been easy on anyone. While those who were laid off are in a state of shock and confusion, those who survived are wondering, “Why them and not me? How will I face my friends who lost their jobs and I didn’t? How can I support them?”

This common response is called “Workplace Survivor Syndrome” or “Survivor Guilt” – feeling grief for someone else’s layoff. This feeling of “grief” is an outcome of anger, regret, loss of trust, uncertainty, denial and anxiety, which lingers on. As a result, there is an atmosphere of plummeting morale and performance within the organization.

If you survived the layoffs, there are high chances that you may be going through this survivor guilt. What are some of the signs and what should you do to manage it – listen to the podcast for the same.