6 Signs you're getting canned

It can strike in an instant. Your identity, your security, your routine - gone without warning.

I want to share a few things I've learned over the years through multiple layoffs.

You can never be fully prepared, but you can get ahead of it.

A wise person once said, "Treat every paycheck like an early severance and every meeting like an early farewell tour." Excellent advice.

Let’s break down the top 6 signs you might be on the chopping block:

1. Lack of Communication - Why weren’t you included in a meeting you should have been?

   It could be an oversight—but was it really? When it starts to feel like a pattern, it usually is. What can you do about it? Start updating your résumé.

   
   

2. Reduced Responsibilities - Pay attention if your work starts being reassigned to others under the guise of “restructuring.” It’s another warning sign.

   
   

3. Micromanagement - If you were previously trusted to work independently and suddenly find yourself constantly pinged on Teams and closely monitored, take note.

   The approach: observe and document. Documentation protects you if you need to escalate or defend yourself later—and helps you see patterns clearly.

   
   

4. Performance Metrics Change - When achievable goals suddenly become unattainable —deadlines shortened, quotas increased—pay attention.

   Be honest with yourself about your limits. This tactic is often used to build a record of “underperformance” and can be a warning sign of what’s coming next.

   
   

5. Distance Dance - Coworkers may start distancing themselves, and gossip often follows. You might feel like a “soon-to-be outsider.”

   Keep in mind: informal chatter often precedes formal announcements.

   
   

6. Gut warning - At the end of the day, you just know. Focus on getting the next gig. Update your resume, network, seek new skills. Consider it an opportunity instead of failure. Sometimes it's a push towards something better.

   
   

No one can predict layoffs with 100% certainty. But by paying attention to these signals, you can take proactive steps—update your resume, network, and safeguard your finances—so you’re ready for whatever comes next. Remember, being prepared doesn’t mean living in fear; it means protecting your future while doing your best today.