It is pretty common for people to think, once in a while, “Am I getting fired or just paranoid?” This is especially worrying when there is less job security on the market and a person highly depends on their current job.
Such thoughts can come in the form of a gut feeling or an overwhelming sense of anxiety. In any case, it is not the best situation for one’s mental health and job performance. A constant fear of being fired can be excruciating and counterproductive.
If you worry about your career, approaching the situation with reason, not emotion, is essential. Although it is almost impossible to know everything, some signs indicate that one’s boss or company is considering firing them.
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One of the most common warning signs is when your manager rapidly changes how they interact with you. Maybe your relations were excellent before, but suddenly you feel a shift to a more cold manner.
Take note and pay attention to how your manager interacts with other employees. If the change affects everyone, maybe the manager is going through something in his/her life. We are all humans, and we all have bad days. However, if the shift affects only you, it can be a bad sign.
Those who tend to worry a lot must stay up with their feelings. If you are anxious, you might be making judgments based on fears rather than facts. Be aware of thinking patterns and habits.
If you struggle with mental health, also pay attention to how you feel in general. Sometimes, paranoid thoughts can come from an approaching depressive episode and have little to do with reality.
The thought, “Am I getting fired or just paranoid?” can be based on the fact that you suddenly get fewer projects or tasks. Or one can be removed from the projects you have worked on with your colleagues.
If you are not involved in the projects and tasks you usually would be, it can be a bad career sign. If you notice this happening several times, it is a good idea to address it professionally and ask for the reasoning behind it. It can be difficult to start such a conversation, but it is better than the feeling of the unknown.
Your company may want you on an entirely new project. At the same time, it may mean that your boss is planning your termination.
Often, the fear of being fired comes after a person makes a mistake at their job recently. It is a scary situation, and most professionals have been there.
However, analyze the situation logically. How bad was the mistake? Did it result in substantial financial trouble for the company? Is it your first big mistake? How did your boss react?
Employees often exaggerate the severity of their mistakes, especially if they are very critical of themselves. Do not get paranoid; everyone makes wrong decisions once in a while. If it didn’t put the employer in a financial burden and it’s your first time, you are probably safe.
To be honest, being on a performance improvement plan is not a good thing. It means that your manager considers your job performance poor. It is a big sign that your career at the company is not going as well as it should.
Yet, it doesn’t mean that you are getting fired. Sometimes, it can be a great way to improve and achieve new goals. Focus on showing your skills and managing tasks as best you can. Of course, the pressure might affect one’s mood and motivation. But if you value this job and feel like it is a fair case of PIP, it is worth putting the effort into it.
If the PIP is obviously unrealistic and unachievable, it is one of the most significant signs that you are getting fired from the job. In this case, the PIP is given only to justify the company’s decision.
Another way to determine your career trajectory is to pay attention to new hires. Sometimes, a company will hire a new employee with almost the same skills and competencies before hiring the previous worker.
One might also be worried when seeing that their employer posted a job opening with a description and requirements that are eerily similar to your position. Feeling comfortable in your team and office is pretty hard in this situation.
However, there might be another explanation. For instance, if the industry is booming and your company is expanding, it might mean your team is growing, and two professionals are needed to handle more responsibilities.
When any business has significant financial troubles, layoffs are almost unavoidable. Co-workers start to feel nervous and discuss who will be fired, even in a casual conversation over coffee. Overall, this is not the best environment to focus and thrive on one’s job.
When this happens, many professionals fear being fired. The bad thing is that there is little one can do in such circumstances. If the business has no means of paying workers their wages, it has to let them go, even if they are the best professionals in the industry.
If you realize that your boss is struggling financially, it is better to start working on a plan B. At the same time, do not give in to your anxiety if there is no clear notice. Maybe a recent budget cut should be made before the expansion or opening of the new branch.
Unfortunately, there are plenty of micromanagers out there. Those who lean into a micromanagement style tend to write all tasks and instructions all the time. If your manager has been doing this all along, there is nothing to worry about.
However, if it was not an everyday practice, but now they are writing everything down, you may lose your job soon.
It is essential to respond in a professional manner because this might come from higher-ups.
Let’s say you see several signs from this list and are worried you might be getting fired from your job. What should you do next?
It is essential to care about yourself before anything happens. Even if the anxiety has nothing to do with reality, it is valid to make an alternative plan. Considering different opportunities can help one worry less. One can potentially uncover more lucrative opportunities they wouldn’t know about otherwise.
Here is what one can do instead of feeling paranoid:
Losing a job is unfortunate, yet it has happened to many people worldwide. It is not the end of the world; sometimes, it can lead to positive change.
Many professionals are sometimes worried about being fired. Whether you’ve made a mistake, felt a shift in communication with a manager, or anticipate layoffs, it is crucial to stay cool-headed. Analyse the signs and evaluate whether your fears have any realistic background.
If the situation is obvious, make a plan for yourself and take proactive measures to find a new position. Although change can be scary and uncomfortable, it always leads to progress.
