Surviving Layoffs: Setting Boundaries & Staying Resilient

So, your workplace just went through a reorganization, and you’re now doing the work of multiple people. On top of that, you’re dealing with survivor’s guilt and the fear of being next. It’s a tough spot to be in, but being the ‘last one standing’ doesn’t mean you have to be the most overextended.

The Risks of Over-Functioning

It’s easy to fall into the trap of taking on more than you can handle, often driven by fear. You might worry that speaking up will make you seem non-compliant or like a ‘squeaky wheel.’ However, constantly saying ‘yes’ and over-functioning comes with significant risks. Burnout is a real consequence, leading to decreased performance, lower productivity, and ultimately, reduced profits for the company.

Often, this over-functioning isn’t based on facts but on assumed expectations from leadership. If you consistently prove you can handle three jobs, the organization may never feel the need to hire for those other two positions. Remember the old adage: ‘The squeaky wheel gets the grease.’

The Reasonable Reframe™️: Protecting Your Value

Instead of focusing on proving your value by taking on excessive tasks, shift your mindset. As discussed in Joyel Crawford’s upcoming book, ‘It’s Their Loss: Honoring Grief at Work and Leading Through What Breaks Us Open,’ the key is to adopt ‘The Reasonable Reframe™️.’ This means moving from “I need to prove I’m valuable” to “I need to protect how my value is delivered.”

Your true value isn’t measured by how much you carry, but by what you can reasonably sustain and deliver with high quality. It’s about redefining excellence to be sustainable, not just about short-term urgency.

Actionable Strategies for Setting Boundaries

1. **Clarify Priorities:** Instead of an immediate ‘no,’ ask: ‘Given the current workload, what are the top 2-3 priorities you want me to focus on?’ This prompts leaders to make choices.
2. **Name The Tradeoffs:** Follow up with: ‘If I shift focus to prioritize this, what would you like me to pause or deprioritize?’ This protects you from silent overcommitment.
3. **Document Capacity (Your POWER):** Maintain a ‘Damn I’m Good’ (DIG) folder. Tracking your workload and accomplishments provides clarity and protection, not just for your peace of mind but for maintaining your professional power.
4. **Set Realistic Expectations:** State: ‘I want to ensure I’m delivering high-quality work consistently. Based on my current capacity, here’s what’s realistic…’ This isn’t refusal; it’s redefining excellence.

Professional Scripts for Managing Workload

Use clear, assertive language to communicate your capacity and priorities. Here are some examples:

• “I’m very committed to delivering impact, not just volume. Let’s work together to align on what success looks like here.”
• “To maintain quality, I’ll need to focus on fewer priorities at a time. What matters most right now?”
• “I want to confirm we’re setting this up for sustainability, not just short-term urgency.”

Remember, raising your voice raises your value. If an organization requires you to sacrifice your well-being to keep things running, the issue lies with their structure, not your performance. True career safety comes from clarity, strategy, and self-respect.

You’ve survived the layoffs. Your job now is to ensure that staying doesn’t cost you yourself. If the only path to success involves slow burnout, it’s ultimately their loss. You’ve got this!