Great article!

The behavioral dynamics and subtle clues that go along with them are fascinating! They're all forms of communication though, because as humans we crave the desire to belong. Afterall, we are social creatures. We're also very acute and can detect even the very subtle changes in the behavioral patterns of our peers and managers.

Once you start getting the silent treatment, that can be so disconcerting. Other clues I've seen and have experienced might include; quick glances at you but little to no eye contact, a look at you with a slight pressing of the lips, avoidance behaviors, less frequent e-mails, etc.

The juiciest ones happen when you're blatantly excluded, to a meeting for example, or removed from an e-mail distribution list.

One basic ingredient is missing these days; loyalty. But when we ponder this, how can we conceivably be loyal to a business? Those days are gone and they have been replaced by at will employment laws, which is an instant turn off right from the git-go because it appears right on the offer letter you first get BEFORE you even start the job! These days, you absolutely must watch your back, because everyone else; the employer, their legal team, their HR group, your boss, his boss, his bosses boss, etc. all the way to the corporate suite are watching their own skins!

This is what it has become! This is why I work for myself. I deliver services to very best best of my ability and then some! When the engagement is over, we have nice dinner, maybe a nice merlot (who knows?), we schmooze, we kibbitz, promise to stay in touch, say adios and that's that!

It's like any job today. If they like you, you'll have a job, if they don't, you're out! It has really always been like that. Difference has a lot to do with, I think, socioeconomics and the way the legal system has coped with those changes.

Other factors include H1B and L1 visas, replacement of tech worker / tech professional jobs with offshore folks. How blatant a message is that?! Todays US companies will put these offshore replacements right under your noses!

I could probably go on and on, but that's the way I see it.

Another really unsubtle clue: You train the replacement for your job. Phew!

...the 'everything in writing' is 100% true....

This is a good article to read and retain. Career development is your own responsibility and watching for indirect communication is key.

I figured out a couple of them when they've happened to me, but only after the fact - best to be prepared.

or you start getting lot of recommendations in linkedin from your colleagues - sure way to attract recruiters after unwanted person.

Is to simply outsource you, at a price you cant compete with.

www.fileprompt.com

Great article on a timely topic.

Thanks go out to ZD for not putting this "10 Signs" article into the notorious 'slideshow' format.

I posted another rant about the slideshow format, and actually had clicked on the unsubscribe link, then I saw this article and changed my mind. I, too, feared this would be another dog fodder piece in that dog excrement slideshow format. Needless to say, I was quite pleasantly surprised with my "OK, let's give an eWeek article link ONE LAST CHANCE..." decision.

Well-thought-out, actual salient points, clear and concise writing, and a layout that represents an actual article and not a poor PowerPoint hack job... Who wrote this and what rock have they been hiding under at eWeek all this time?

It's also a good sign that you may be on the chopping block if this article was "Anonymously" sent to you thru your company email!

Early in my career (+30 year ago) I worked for small firms, when I went to large firms the "new boss with their own staff" syndrome caused me to lose my job twice. After that, if there was a staff change I left within 90 days. Better on your terms than theirs. And companies wonder about employee loyalty...the fact that this is still happening today is sad. Talk about lost productivity...

My favorite reason employers use are the "your scaring people by walking around the cubicles" (I'm 6 ft 5 tall w/linebacker build and actually was just trying to get other people to do their job). The other one... is the miscellaneous non-descript allegation of sexual harassment which doesn't even meet the basic EEOC description. In fact... its always one alleged incident which is contrary to the definition of "harassment".

But oh well... I'd like to fight or file a lawsuit myself... but then word might get around that I'm a troublemaker.

The modern IT shop... no greater example of the need for unions in this country.

Yet another sign that you job is in jeopardy is when your boss suddenly starts asking for detailed project status reports, or requesting any files or documents that you might have pertaining to those projects. The reason, of course, is obvious -- he/she is preparing to pass that information on to your successor, and wants to do as much of a "knowledge transfer" as possible before you're gone.

I saw 5 out of 10 signs and then was offered an early retirement package. Needless to say, I took the ERO even though I plan to work another 10 years. I prefer looking for a new opportunity on my own volition.

Hello All,

I just was downsized from a large multinational IT/leasing company. I read this article Yesterday and Today they let me go. Although I saw it coming for sometime, the article was right on it.
I would add the following sign: Less and less work or tasks being assigned to you or your department may something else to look for.
Overall I am not bitter with my ex-employer just wished they had done more to to keep me employed.

Thanks

If they decide to audit your department's processes out of the blue, they're fishing for a way to get rid of you or your coworkers. If it's not you now, you may be next.

Good article. Sign no 2, 6, 7 is popular method use by my company.

I won't say I enJOYed the article, but it was thought provoking. It kind of brings the obvious into clearer focus. I don't THINK I'm in danger... yet... but you can also treat the warnings more as signs that you could be doing your job differently.

The MAIN reason I posted was to agree with Nate and LTJ. A clearly written article is much more valuable than a "slide show" with kindergarten graphics and text that's already included in the graphics. :-(

Not once not twice but three times in my career have I missed many of the clues. I may have seen them but made like an ostrich, "It can't be happening to me!"

Self denial is easy, facing up to the possibility of getting fired or being made redundant is hard. If you don't face up to it it gets much harder.

In my most recent position, I had 3 general managers in 3 years - the last being someone who was a counterpart of mine, left for a year, then came back as my boss. 6 months later, I was wholly unhappy with my job and boss, and I was finding that 1) I was being excluded from meetings between my boss and my direct report (so there were tasks assigned to her that I had no idea about), and 2) my boss was actually doing some of my job behind my back. I then found out that about 75% of my job was going to be outsourced to an agency. I left the company about a month later, and I'm happier for it!

Rule 4 and Rule 8, completely agree with them. Got fired because of them:bang. But, my boss got fired next day. He couldn't see it coming either . Sorry for him! I will make sure that these do not happen with me in future