You've worked hard and stayed loyal to your company and now you're being laid off! It's one of the most confusing and stressful times of your life. You need to know what to do first and where to go from here.

When employees are laid off, they must understand that normally it has nothing to do with the quality of their work. It has to do with the company's effectiveness in the community. Many times, especially in Volusia County , lay offs are temporary and are based on the season. Whether your lay off is temporary or permanent it can still take a toll on you financially and emotionally. The best way to handle the stress that comes with a change like this is to realize the things you can and can not change. You can not change the fact that you've been laid off but you can change your future by taking an active approach to your job search as well as keeping a positive attitude.

You will have a period of anger and mourning. You will need to find constructive ways to vent your anger so that it does not hinder your job search. You never want to make negative comments about a supervisor or former employer. Losing a job can be just as devastating as losing a loved one. All aspects of your life may change. Although this grief is normal it is important to allow yourself only a short time to dwell on this loss. Getting active in a job search and taking the proper steps to minimize possible problems can help you get back on the right tract.

Chances are when you found out you were being laid off it wasn't a surprise. There are some things you need to know to get going with life again. First things first, get the lay off in writing! Find out if the lay off is permanent or temporary. Get a letter of recommendation from your supervisor, and find out when you will be receiving your last check, as well as any vacation time or severance pay. Also find out about your health benefits. How long can you keep them and how much will it cost you under Cobra. And, don't forget to visit your local employment office and apply for unemployment benefits.

Now that you have begun job searching, you may find that your skills need some brushing up, especially if you have been in the same job or industry for several years. Now would be the time to look into retraining options. While you are visiting your local employment office find out about what programs they offer. Many times they have short term training options that could drastically change your skills and the way employers look at you. Remember, one of your strongest assets will be your willingness to learn and adapt to change! When you start interviewing, possible employers will ask you about the lay off. Keep in mind not to say anything negative. A good answer would be "The company was reconstructed and my position was affected." Or "The company closed the division where I worked."

Obviously, one main concern of the laid off employee is how will they pay their bills. The best thing to do is to create a budget. Items such as rent/mortgage, utility bills, and vehicle payments should be included. Remember to put things like diapers and cigarettes in the budget, if they apply to you. It is important to be realistic and to put all necessary items on your list. You will use this list to create a budget that will tell you how much money you need to make to pay all your bills. If you have money in savings you can use this budget to find out how long your money will last. Be careful; don't let your credit be damaged by not paying certain bills like credit cards. Pay at least the minimum payments and call the creditors to see if there is anyway you can reduce those payments if even for a short time. Explain to them what your circumstances are and that you are currently actively job searching. Most creditors are willing to help you stay on tract as long as you let them know what is happening ahead of time.

Being laid off is not the end of the world, even if it feels like it at the time. Most employees are laid off at least one time in their life. Florida is a Right to Work state which means an employer can let you go when they want and give you little or no reason. Some people believe that all jobs are temporary; it just depends on how long you keep them. That's a good philosophy to keep in mind and stay active in the job search world!