Someone must notify the affected employee when your business decides to eliminate a position. Chances are if that person is you, you won’t be looking forward to this meeting. It’s never easy to inform a worker that they are no longer employed, especially if they have been with the company for a long time. You can control the meeting and assist the employee in facing the future by anticipating the employee’s reactions and inquiries.
Breaking the news in person demonstrates that the company values its relationship with the employee, even though it might be tempting to send the employee a termination email or message. Make sure a witness is present to hear the conversation. Your best option is to have an HR representative on site who is familiar with job elimination processes.
Begin by expressing gratitude to the worker for his contributions and commitment to the business. Explain why the company decided to eliminate his position after making difficult decisions. The Harvard Business Review recommends that you should be as silent as possible regarding the reasons for the termination. The more justifications you provide for the employee’s termination, the more evidence she has to use in a potential wrongful termination lawsuit.
Gravity Eliminated Positions
What does a position eliminated letter look like?
Many businesses will send you letters or emails notifying you that your position is being eliminated and outlining what you should do next. Elements youll typically find in an elimination letter are:
Here is an example of a position eliminated letter:
Dear Andrea Adams, Property Solutions Corporation has experienced financial difficulties as a result of the recent unexpected economic conditions occurring over the past few months. We looked into and considered a variety of options, including raising prices, obtaining more leads, and drastically reducing spending. Sadly, despite our best efforts, we haven’t been able to raise the money we need to maintain our financial stability. We have determined that we must eliminate two positions from each department after considering all of our options. I must inform you with great regret that we will be eliminating your position on March 2nd. Our human resources team will set up a meeting with you this coming week to go over your severance package and separation benefits. Along with counseling to assist you in finding a new job, we will also provide you with outplacement and career guidance services. Were deeply sorry for the inconvenience this has caused. We value the time, effort, and contribution you have given to the business. Sincerely,Rachel JohnsonCEO of Property Solutions.
What does “position eliminated” mean?
Position elimination denotes the removal of your role and associated duties by the organization for which you work. Usually, when this happens, employers completely eliminate your position, meaning they won’t hire anyone to take your place since it won’t exist.
You’ll typically work a few more weeks at the company if you receive a notification or letter that your position is being eliminated, helping them finish up or reassign any duties you were previously working on. While some employers might just let you switch to a different position or division, others might implement layoffs.
Common reasons companies eliminate positions include:
What to do if you receive a position eliminated letter
Receiving a letter from your employer announcing the elimination of a position can be intimidating and overwhelming. On your final days with the company, it’s crucial to reflect on the situation and conduct yourself professionally. Follow these steps if you receive a position eliminated letter:
1. Relax, take a deep breath and embrace the situation
Spend some time thinking about what you just read after you finish reading your letter. Try to take a quick mental break by taking a walk around the building outside. Keep in mind that while it’s normal to feel upset, you should still act professionally for the rest of your employment.
Consider talking with other employees whose positions were eliminated. You may feel better knowing that you are not dealing with this situation alone. It’s crucial to constantly remind yourself that the situation is beyond your control and has no bearing on how well you perform at work.
2. Determine what benefits or severance pay youll receive
Consult your human resources department to learn what benefits they are providing to employees whose positions have been eliminated. You might get a severance package with money or benefits paid over the following few months, along with other benefits. To maintain good relations with the business, try to act professionally and maturely during this meeting.
3. Review your timeline
Your letter of termination from your position should specify how long you have been employed by the company. Write your upcoming schedule in your calendar to create a timeline. This aids in determining which tasks and other commitments need to be finished or arranged before you depart.
Work diligently with your employer over the coming days or weeks to demonstrate your skill set and abilities. When you are nearing the end of your employment, employers might notice your quality work and write you a letter of recommendation or consider hiring you back when the business is financially stable or ready for more employees. Additionally, create a schedule that balances the time you spend working and creating materials for your job search.
4. Ask for references
Ask your managers and coworkers for letters of recommendation or permission to use them as references for the next job you apply for during your final days at the company. Many employers who have to fire workers typically feel obligated to help workers find new jobs, so they’ll typically be eager to assist you in finding a new position you’d be a great fit for.
This is another reason why it’s critical to maintain good relations with your coworkers so they can provide you with strong references by maintaining a positive impression of you throughout the entire process.
5. Learn if the company offers any career assistance programs or resources
To assist you in finding a new job quickly, some businesses may have access to career assistance or outplacement services. Ask the human resources team if this is included in your severance package if it isn’t already if it is available. Most outplacement services can help you write resumes and cover letters, create an elevator pitch, and receive interview etiquette coaching.
This can be a great way to begin your job search in the last few days of your employment with the company, which might improve your chances of getting hired as soon as you officially part ways with the company.
6. Maintain professionalism with employees and supervisors
Try to maintain professionalism throughout the remainder of your employment even if you are upset or frustrated with your supervisors because you want to leave on good terms with them. Invite your team members and managers to connect with you on social media sites so you can exchange contact details. If they observe that you conduct yourself in a mature and professional manner throughout your employment, they might recommend you to a friend who is hiring or keep you in mind should other job opportunities arise in the future.
7. Update your job search materials
Start putting together your resume and cover letters and submitting applications for potential job openings. If your financial situation permits, take the time to look for a new job that you are passionate about and that interests you. Update your resume to reflect any experience or competencies you gained from your prior employment. Look for keywords in the job descriptions of the roles you are interested in. Keywords are words or phrases that appear repeatedly in the document’s requirements and preferences sections.
To get the hiring manager’s attention, put these terms in your resume and cover letter. Additionally, by using these keywords, they will be able to visualize how you would apply the desired skills to the duties of the position. Study typical interview questions, then practice answering them in front of a friend or colleague. Develop your elevator pitch, which is a 30-second statement that you use to sell yourself to potential employers. Tell them about your background, your skills, and the value you can bring to their organization.
8. Reach out to your connections
Asking your connections if they are aware of any positions that might be a good fit for you is a great way to find potential roles. You might know friends or coworkers who are employed by a company that is hiring. If they recommend you to their manager, your chances of landing the job increase. Your connections might learn that you’re looking for work and inquire with their own networks to see if they are aware of any opportunities.
FAQ
Is position eliminated same as fired?
Being fired is an experience that is unique to you and is brought on by a factor within your control (work performance, communication, teamwork, ability to pick up new skills quickly, attitude, etc.). (In contrast, when you are laid off, the position is eliminated and no one is brought in to take your place.
Is position elimination a layoff?
Layoffs affect regular professional staff when a position is eliminated because of a lack of work, a lack of funding, or a reorganization. Reducing the percentage of time or number of months worked in a professional staff position exempts it from the layoff procedure.
What to do when your job is being eliminated?
Ask if there is a position available in another department if your position was eliminated for justifiable overstaffing reasons. Look through the most recent job postings for the company to see if there is a position available that would be a good fit or even one that would suffice for the time being.
Why would a company eliminate a position?
Numerous factors, such as staffing changes brought on by a company reorganization, the consolidation of departmental duties, or altered business strategies, can influence an employer’s decision to eliminate positions.
