5 steps after getting laid off at work.
Verizon has recently laid off roughly 15,000 employees, as I watch the news this evening. Living in the North Fort Worth area, this is becoming almost a daily topic of discussion with friends and colleagues at dinner. This type of news does not stop on your phone screen; it lands right in your living room. It lands in marriages, in parenting decisions, in the late-night conversations between couples who are trying to protect their home while absorbing a blow they did not choose.
I just got Laid Off, What should I do?
Imagine a couple sitting at the kitchen table after the children go to bed. Your spouse opens an email that announces their job has ended. The words spoken are brief, and the next steps in your mind are unclear. The room stays quiet for several minutes, not because there is nothing to say, but because your mind is just trying to find a place to land.
This is the beginning of a transition that many families are now navigating.
First Step: Stand on steady ground
Before major decisions are made, most families need a moment to reestablish their sense of balance. Sudden change brings a mix of shock, frustration, and worry. Naming these reactions can help your partner understand what the other is carrying. It can be a scary time, and you might be feeling all alone.
A question that can be asked is: “What is hitting you the hardest right now?”
This type of question can keep couples connected, rather than letting silence or assumptions push them apart.
Second Step: Protect Your Relationship With Your Spouse
Major changes can strain marriages when partners retreat into their own internal reactions. Keeping the relationship steady is not a luxury during this season; it is the foundation that will help clear decision-making for what’s next.
Think about these two practices:
State feelings plainly, instead of hinting or withdrawing.
Couples handle job uncertainty better when they can see what the other is experiencing.
Agree to one daily habit that keeps you connected.
A walk, a shared meal, or a few minutes of uninterrupted conversation can keep your relationship anchored when everything else feels unsettled.
Third Step: Map out a Practical Path Forward
After the initial shock begins to settle, a family can turn toward concrete steps. There’s this huge elephant in the room now that needs to be addressed. Take a really big life event and break it down into manageable actions:
Review short-term financial needs and determine what needs your attention immediately.
Understand if there are any severance details, benefits extensions, or career resources offered by the employer.
Outline a job-search schedule that is realistic and does not overlap with family time.
Discuss what adjustments at home may temporarily reduce pressure.
Your partner’s support plays an important role here. Encouragement does not replace responsibility, but it sure can strengthen resolve.
Fourth Step: Keep the Rhythm of Family Life
Children notice how you respond to big changes. Consistency, like meals, routines, and bedtime rituals, gives a sense of safety, even when things may seem uncertain.
If children are old enough to ask what is happening, simple explanations work best: “Dad’s job is changing, and we are figuring out next steps. We are working together, and we are okay.”
Fifth Step: Restore Meaning and Purpose
Job loss is not only a financial disruption; it can affect identity and confidence. Many individuals describe an unexpected sense of disorientation.
Some people discover new paths that had been previously overshadowed by the demands of their previous role. Others find clarity about the kind of work that aligns with their family’s needs.
Big transitions rarely announce themselves with a warning. However, families can move through these shifts with strength when they stay connected. Remember, maintain clear communication, and spend time with the ones you love the most.
If you or your spouse has been impacted by a sudden job loss and needs help with interview prep or resume review, please e-mail me at nfortworthchristiancounseling@gmail.com or fill out the contact form, and I would be happy to help at no charge. I am rootin for ya and want the best for you and your blended family!
