When a layoff or termination looms, employees can experience acute job insecurity. Sometimes it becomes chronic job insecurity that may yield anxiety and depression in the long run. Because in this situation workers are in fear about not being able to hold onto their jobs.
Job insecurity is not permanent in professional lives. Rather workers experience this situation when they are in less-than-stable employment situations at some point in their careers. Though all professionals have feared this situation, it may not bring bad news all the time. It can create new opportunities that can show you a different way to move.
There are two types of job insecurity that employees can experience. One is acute and another is chronic. Acute job insecurity is a condition when you are suspecting that you will become jobless in the coming weeks. On the other hand, when your organization is prone to layoffs and there is a chance to be laid off anytime, you will experience chronic job insecurity.
Job insecurity especially chronic job insecurity has negative effects on employee performance. It also demolishes the physical and mental health of workers. Recent research also found a connection between job insecurity and health conditions like heart disease, diabetes, and insomnia. In this situation, it is wise to learn the ways to handle job insecurity smartly. Employees should be loyal to themselves instead of being loyal to an employer. If possible, the employee should find more secure opportunities before being laid off.