Dislocated Workers

RESPONSES:

Certainly the AARP Senior Employment Program has worked successfully with dislocated workers for over 33 years. The older worker seems to be dislocated much more than others. I think that all of the suggestions that you gave are just exactly what dislocated people need, but the one thing that is really helpful, is to help them identify the things that they DO have available to them and help them steer themselves away from the negative things they have going on. It is a good thing to sit down at the beginning and ask them to make a list of the things that they have in regard to support systems (family, supportive friends, supportive neighbors, church, whatever) and then to add to the list with them, the physical assets they have like a spouses health insurance they can count on, any extra cars, boats, etc. that they could sell if they had to, and not to pry in to their personal funds, but ask them to add anything like 401Ks, CDs, IRAs, life insurance policies, etc. to the list when they get home.

It really is an amazing transition when people that do have a support system and maybe some assets they had not thought about, start to make a list and it grows and grows even as you sit there with them. That is the time to add YOUR name to the list, and any services that YOU have to offer and other services you are going to refer them to. Sometimes people leave with more than one page of support in their hand! We have what we call, an advanced orientation once a person starts working for us after about 2 or 3 weeks. We get 4-8 people who we have just started together to mainly go over the mission and goal of the program, but when we go around the room and ask everyone what type of job they are looking for and to share with everyone their background, you can just see the surprise and almost relief in other's eyes that they are NOT alone in this mess. Their is usually a lot of compassion towards each other while this is going on, and a little bit of networking and bonding starts to happen.

Its good to identify REAL problems with the dislocation with the person, and help them throw out the emotional angry stuff that does not present a clear and present danger. Its a weeding out process with some support. Ginger CA


6. Recognizing that their job may have been more than work; it was a
second family. They spent more waking hours with co-workers than
family. Replacing the relationships is difficult as often the strength
of those relationships was job-related as opposed to church or
community.
7. Understanding that it is natural for depression to sink in,
particularly for men. The older the man the more likely he is to
remember the Great Depression when men leapt to their deaths rather than
not be able to support their families. These men, the oldest and least
likely to be helped by the One-Stop, need special help, not information
about their retirement benefits and life expectancy!

Polly Windels Title V Program Director


We have had several major employers close their doors in Kings County. It has been a real challenge as time after time, people have lost their jobs. Some people have had the unfortunate experience to have been layed off from more than one employer.

I try to deal with each person on an individual basis and encourage them to keep trying...never give up. It is really hard to say that with conviction....since the economy is sooo bad in our county.

I see our role as "keeping the dream alive." We need to continue to encourage and support people in transition. Ruth Sparkman

Here are a few of my thoughts on how to better serve dislocated workers at our one stop:
First to give them hope that change can be good
To let them know the power of support networks including our One Stop
To help them recognize their strengths in all of their transferable skills that can open up future doors
To advise them to have plan B's in place in case plan A's do not work out
Susan Holcomb

The economy in the Bay Area is better now that is has been since 2001. The recent labor market statistics show unemployment is the lowest it has been in four years and hiring at its highest Statistics, as well as our own experience show this is a great time to be looking for a new job Marilyn Hommes CA


I have found that some dislocated workers are is denial and shock. I have been a dislocated worker after 20 years with the Marines and you are in shock, denial and then you move to job. But until you move to job you can stay in the other categories for months and sometimes years. 

It is moving the dislocated worker out of the other categories into job. The depressed client is the one that is the hardest to motivate and try to move to the doctor for medication to move them to wellness to motivate them to job. This is the only way to move them to job. Unless they are a self-motivated person and can move themself out of that depression they are not going to move out of the depression to move to job. How can we as the case manager suggest to the client if they have thought about seeking doctor assistance for motivation?

Can we have brochures around on depression for the long term job seekers? I think this is a great idea! This is more and more what we are seeing. Depression Dottie Pridmore


This is a great subject. You can lead a horse to water but you cannot make him drink. Your number five "need to" stinks. People mourn in different ways and times. You can not provide a motivating environment and expect a person in depression to be motivated. They can not hear you and believe it. So go every day to a one stop and do something for the person who does not have a clear direction puts customers in job search workshops because," it is doing something. And it is safe. Which heaps on the depression because others are successful and you cannot see yourself being successful. Some people need a vacation, a good sit down in a park, a good cry, working in the garden, honey do's, just to increase self esteem and reduce the fear. Fear of the unknown can be crippling. Interviewing is scary. Very successful Professionals will avoid this activity and stay in fruitless jobs just to avoid an interview. Do something every day to build self esteem and reduce fear.(Now that is a good # 5)
There is a game of Life produced by Aid association of Lutherans. It deals with very difficult subjects. What happens if Mommy gets sick like the lady next door? What if Grandma and Grandpa move away?. What if Daddy losses his job? I have a concept for a great workshop. I would be glad to discuss it with you. It would be a workshop that "Families" could participate and reach solutions. If we worked on it together maybe we could do a pilot program here. Then you could take it all over the world.
Linda


Your work is the first I've ever read that identifies, in my opinion, the greatest barrier to successful job search after loosing a long term position, mental reorganization. In other words, the long term laid off must take positive action to change their lives to develop a successful job search program. As you mentioned, loosing a long term position is akin to loosing a loved one or withdrawing from an addiction, help is needed for the survivor to cope with the loss and the addict to change their believe systems to promote healing and change. Denial is a key behavior that must be overcome.
I conduct an Initial Assistance Workshop for profiled unemployment recipients. During a 2-3 hour period I attempt to provide a tool box complete with tools to aid in their job search which most attendees appreciate. However, what I do do from beginning to end is impress up the people, as graphically as possible, that this current job market is not in anyway, shape, or form like any job market they can remember. Many come to the workshop in denial believing that finding a job in the current market and local economy will be relatively easy. After I burst their bubble, many attendees are shocked and in disbelief showing ranges of emotion from anger to fright. While I attempt to support their job search with tools, there is nothing I can do about the individuals mental state.
Your suggestion to establish a support group setting where individuals can share their feelings, express their fears, and have a support structure I believe is paramount for long term employed, especially older long term employed.
I wanted to share my experiences with you because I believe you have correctly identified the greatest barrier to reemployment. All the tools on how to find new work are useless unless the job seeker is mentally prepared for all the challenges and disappointments that come with the job title "Job Seeker."
Robert Fowler CA


Thank you so much for continuing to send your newsletters. I may not always respond, but I find the discussions to be very interesting and useful! This week’s topic is very close to my heart. I have seen numerous people, customers, family, friends go through this layoffs as more companies downsize. And yes, the effects can be overwhelming for the individual. I agree with your five points in helping the dislocated worker and wanted to add one more...... Financial stability! 

I have seen many customers continue to spend as usual and sometimes more because they now have extra time on their hands and find themselves eating out more and in the shopping centers more. Not to mention - the television marketing makes it easy to spend from the comforts of your recliner! The dislocated worker needs to be advised that they should immediately - after layoff - look at their finances, including their medical coverage, any cash pay outs for accumulated vacation or severance. I see customers take their severance and go on vacation and then realize, three months later that getting employment may not be as easy. I also see the effects of the financial burdens and stresses show up in alcohol-related incidents, domestics, and attempted suicide. There are financial counselors available, and referrals can come through their employer, their banks, the credit unions, or their creditors. Keeping their finances in check , and making good financial decisions during their period of layoff, can help to keep people emotionally healthy.

Marlene HI


This is an area that is sadly lacking. These folks are going through a major loss. The feelings are the same as for a divorce, separation or death. 
I have been working with this population for many years and prepared my own materials from books on grief (notable Elisabeth Kubler-Ross, MD, her book is On Death and Dying; and Bruce Fisher, who wrote Rebuilding, Surviving the Loss of a Love. It may seem a bit strange but the feelings and process of working through any major loss is the same. At the time I could find nothing on working through a job loss so I adapted it. The process is the same, anger, denial, bargaining, guilt, etc. these feeling must be worked with or they hang on to them and it prevents them moving on. 
We are their sounding boards when they repeat their stories, their cheer leaders who help keep them motivated and their friend who cares enough to kick them when they are locked in a pity party. They must let go and move on. We chart progress and have a building blocks pyramid that begins with anger and moves to freedom and new opportunities. Remember, these are our peers! 
Chris 
Thank You! For the tips when working with dislocated workers. One of the things I do is work on their self-esteem and self-confident. I allow them to talk and I decide where they are in the grieving stage and work where there. A workshop with dislocated worker would be a wonderful tool. Many may not be at the same stage but whatever information they can pick up will also be helpful to move forward. Rosie Carrillo


My experience in this is that they're not worried about a "job", they're worried, and seriously worried about no-food, eviction, and other realities.
So first, whoever wants to help them has to know everything about making a successful application to unemployment insurance. But in California, for example, you can't pay the rent with unemployment insurance, let alone buy food, etc. So the next thing is food stamps, which a large proportion of the laid-off will qualify for. The helper has to know where you get them, what are the probable time-glitches. I tell people, Go get those food stamps. That's a lot of free food you don't ever have to worry about. Then there's utility assistance to keep the lights on. Then there is the Consumer Credit Corporation to, maybe, organize a payment process - - very important to the home-owner. The renters, in big cities, often have renter's organizations to push-back payments awhile; and then eviction assistance when that's the next step.
Maybe, as a very last thought, I'd come up with one of those "helpful" ideas, and it would only be: Take it one breath at a time. (Things change.) 
Ron Cornman

We, too, are working with a facility that is
closing a division affecting 130+ workers who have been there 5-44
years. They make great money for the area and will be hard pressed to
match it coming out of the chute. However, I'm happy with how our
efforts are going. Shall I share?

1) We were allowed to set up a mini-center in their break room to
continue to share new job leads, training opportunities and financial
planning assistance materials. They eat this up. (We actually have two
of these going right now -- another across town at our skilled nursing
facility which is also closing). This addresses rotating shift issues,
too.

2) Staff that keep the mini-center up to date, go at times when workers
can talk and ask questions. Of course, she knows her stuff.

3) While we have three tracts running: Retraining, Undecided and Job
Search, I am working with a counselor to help the professional staff in
a weekly meeting. The key to these meetings is giving them plenty of
homework for the next week. They like to regain their control by
planning and researching, etc... Part of their assignment is to have fun
and/or be creative.

4) I made a great friend at Consumer Credit Counseling who really gets
the emotional "I'm the provider, now what do I do?" issues. He's giving
two sessions to the group on the 20th. Kathy Garcia


You may not have known this, but I too am a former Dislocated Worker from General Motors. I worked there 12 years first as an Hourly employee, then a Production Supervisor, then as the Equal Employment Opportunity Rep as well as the Car Program Coordinator. Being a Production Supervisor was the worst job I have ever had in my life - when your people were happy, management was angry and when management was happy, your people were upset. I'm much too sensitive for that kind of job. After our plant closing in 1989, my
former supervisor at GM got me a job at Lorain County Community College. I've been there for 14 years. I began in the Engineering Department working on a short-term training program for Dislocated Workers called Transformations - Training for Technology. When the economy got better, I moved up to the Employment and Career Services Center where I continue to work with Dislocated Workers as well as students and community members. I am part of a workshop with a licensed counselor, John Marshall. We call our workshop
"Surviving A Layoff." John handles all the psychological aspects of losing your job and I handle the Job Search element. But having been a Dislocated Worker myself helps me to have empathy as well as credibility with these people. My slogan since joining LCCC is "Sometimes losing your job is the best thing that could ever happen to you. It certainly was for me." I love my job!!!!!! Security comes into my office about 8:00 p.m. and tells me it's time to go home. I usually ask them if they have a cot or anything
because I love being at LCCC - it's so stimulating and our president, Dr. Roy Church, is such a visionary. I'm so proud to be part of LCCC!!!!!
However, I always make sure to say to people, when I spout my slogan about losing my job, that they really have to be ready to hear this. If they were recently dislocated, they must go through the "grief" period before they can move forward.
I just had a lady the other day who was dislocated and she was so sad and on the verge of tears. She wanted me to help her with her resume. She had just been laid off on Friday and it was only Tuesday. I told her about some "Options For Dislocated Workers" that I have re schooling and funding, as well as our Surviving A Layoff workshops etc. But she was so sad. I suggested to her that she go home and read a book or do whatever makes her happy (except shopping and spending money) and be very kind to herself for this
first week. I told her I would be happy to help her in every way I could, but I didn't think she was quite ready to jump into this new situation yet. I told her about some Career Counseling and testing she could do to figure out what she wanted to go into that would make her want to get up every morning and go to work (John Marshall and I are very big believers in people not running right out just to find ANY job, but to determine something they'd enjoy going to)
I do believe they need some time off to recover from the shock (maybe a week or so). Then I believe they should be spending 35-40 hours a week looking for a job in a variety of ways (not just on the Internet!). If they choose to spend 20 hours a week on their job search, it will just take twice as long - their choice! I am a very big believer in Networking to find a job. Employers would much rather hire someone who has been referred to them by someone they know and trust, than to hire a total stranger off the
street. At GM, we had an outplacement firm come in and give us assistance with our Job Search. They suggested we all go home and make up a list of 50 names of people we knew for our Networking list. It can be former friends and relatives, your family doctor, an insurance salesman, a hairdresser, a bartender, a minister - people who see lots of people every day. We were told to contact each person on our networking list by phone, mail or in person and tell them what kind of job we were seeking and give them a copy of
our resume. Then we were to continue with our own job search and not EXPECT them to find us a job. We just let them know in case they heard of anything.
The next best way to find a job is to contact employers directly, even if you don't know if they have an opening or not. Everyday people retire, die, move on etc.
You might even save an employer the cost of putting an ad in the paper for a job opening if they had your resume - you never know You can find names of employers in the Yellow Pages of the phone book, check with Reference Librarians about various companies and how to contact them. I feel like finding a job is a "Numbers Game" and it's very important to get as many resumes out there as possible ( in areas in which you are qualified) and also to follow up with these employers and keep very accurate records of your job
search. I am not a big believer in the Internet for total job search. It can be one of the things you do, but it shouldn't be your entire way of Job Searching!!!!!
Anyhow, this is all I talk about all day long to Dislocated Workers - and we have many in Lorain County!!!!!!! My boss told me once he thought I could have a job for life working with Dislocated Workers in Lorain County. We were a very big manufacturing area with Union shops, so our people have made "big bucks" with very few skills. When they lose their jobs, they don't have a lot to offer for the big money they expect to earn! Education and/or Training is very helpful in this situation.
You probably knew all this information anyhow, but I just thought I'd share it with you and let you know how we work with Dislocated Workers. But I am extremely empathetic to them. I was just telling my boss that about 6 months ago all I listened to all day was "I'm losing my House, I'm losing my car!" The last 3 or 4 weeks all I've heard is "I'm homeless with no transportation! When I hear this, I just want to take these people home with me because I am so concerned about them, and realize, if I hadn't had a
"Guardian Angel" I could have been in the same situation when I lost my job.
I hear the Economy is getting better. This was the worst I've seen it in years! I was laid off for 18 months in 1982, but this was much worse than 1982. I'm amazed because in 2000, we were receiving calls from employers daily saying they couldn't find enough people to fill their jobs, then suddenly the "bottom fell out!"
Jane Renz


I agree with you 100%, they do need to get out. I tell all of my dislocated
clients that they should get in the habit of coming into the office at least
2 times a week. It is really easy to get into a rut especially if you are
depressed. Coming into the office is beneficial in two ways, 1) It allows
the customer to interact and "network" with others that are in the same boat
and 2) They are informed and up to date about recruitments taking place in
the office. Depending on how bad their situation is, I have a few exercises
I picked up along the way by attending different conferences and some of
them are really good as far as getting them to focus on their strengths and
areas they can stand to improve in. The most important thing we can do as
counselors is to try to boost their esteem by pointing out the positive
attributes of each individual. They need to know that they do have something
to offer a potential employer. LMosley
As a targeted center we only deal with Boeing dislocated workers. Very
early on we recognized that our population were long term employees that
were not only experiencing the grief process, but they hadn't done any
type of job search for many many years. They were also overwhelmed with
the paperwork involved to seek re-training. Our Peer Counselor, Tom
Kesler, developed a "First Steps" workshop to address these needs. In
addition, we teach Stress Mgmt and Conflict Mgmt classes to help them
through this crisis. As a case manager I liked to use "Who moved my
cheese" as a resource book, since many of our folks had read this book
as part of business training & it certainly applies in this situation.

Donna DeFreece

We have a lot of displaced workers that use our service. Our goal is "wrap our arms around them", figuratively speaking. Many times at the One-Stops, the job seeker is lost in the process of the program and still considered a number. When the job placement center haa a job seeker who has the skill sets and abilities that any given employer is looking for, we give the job seeker the information, and let the individual know if they need to polish one or more parts of their presentation. Perhaps it is as simple as reminding them to wear a suit or put their hair in a way that will best represent them. We will advise them to carry thank you notes, and to be prepared with a portfolio of accomplishments and acknowledgments. By the time we are done, we simply as them if they want the job and when they say yes, we tell them to ask for the job....and go get it!
Each person is different, and if we have individuals that are removing the "positive ions from the room", we take those job seekers outside or down the hall away from other job seekers so they can "air" their challenge but not poison the other job seekers with negativity.
So Paul, these are a couple of things that we do to keep the area upbeat and moving. Again, thanks for the updates and have a great month.
Ann Steinberg
My thoughts:
1. Speak to yourself with positive remarks, (I will find the right job)
2. Look for jobs that you want to work for (not have to work) but (want
to work)
3. Go for interview with the thought of YOU interviewing THEM, not them
interviewing you. (This creates self confidence) and respect for
yourself, and that will be seen through you in your behavior and with
what you say during the interview.

Patti Mc Garvey


I believe having access to community resources and having a support system is the best way to deal with being dislocated at any time in your career. Another thing is not being too proud to ask for help. Professional employment resources are happy and proud to be able to help. Many systems are proactive when they learn there is downsizing or a RIF in any business or government entity. Thanks to Chambers of Commerce and other business networking SHRM, more employers are learning to ask for help for their people before the fact to soften the blow. Government agencies need to do a better job of advertising and marketing their services to the public and to employers. I believe Hawaii is good at doing that and being there for folks in need. We are still the biggest small town in America and stretch the aloha spirit in times of crisis.. Mahalo, Joy HI

One thing which has helped our clients who have lost their jobs, due to
health issues, disclosure issues, or just downsizing or businesses closing,
which happens a lot in Key West, is that in many cases we can help them over
the difficult period with temporary rental and food assistance, as well as guide them through the unemployment system. Emotionally, we discuss that the experience is more common than ever nowadays, and try to get them to express all they are feeling. We go over ads in the paper and circle ones they are interested in and qualified for. Surprisingly, many of them are not worried about getting another job; they seem to feel many are out there if one is willing to show up on time and be reliable. The clients who have the most trouble are those who need short time period jobs because of their overwhelming tiredness and reactions to their medications. Mary Hoeft
In my 17 years with the State Of Texas, providing services to individuals
who have recently lost their jobs or in the process of........

I have discovered that the first things that need to be done is for
the person to sit down, get comfortable
in a quiet place and:
Using an 8 x 10 sheet of paper, draw a line down the
center of the paper
label the left side of the line ISSUES and the right
side Solutions.

Basically, one must know and acknowledge what their battles are
before they can put on the right armor.

By listing all of the known ramifications of losing or the lost of
their job.........there will be very little positive efforts directed
towards taking the right path towards eliminating some of these battles.

However, getting one to honestly list all of their negative issues
that are brewing is another issue.

Coincidentally, my last customer that just left had majors issues,
but did do the sheet thing, and left with known identity of the
battles t be fought.

She is now on her way to a support agency to seek the necessary
assistance to do battle with her issues.

I noticed that she had at least 5 battles listed and kept shaking her
head in disbelief as to her situation.

In conclusion, she is now aware of the battles ahead and can
realistically attack while maintaining a defense 
posture to manage the manifestation of any new storms.

I primarily like this model because it lets the customer identify
their own dragons and be actively involved in the process used to slay
them. I merely mediate and keep focus on the fact that "Don't wait until you
are up to your butt in alligators to be reminded that your initial
intention was to drain the swamp!!" Frank Oliver

I think the bounce-back-ability of dislocated workers depends upon several factors:
Age: Youngstown's economy was built around the steel mills. It was common to go there to work directly from high school. Many of our DW clientel had been there 25+ years at the time of their layoffs. Starting over at 50 is a lot different from starting over at 20. 
Finances: If the DW's have family members to fall back on during their job search, etc. period, it's a lot easier. However, in our area, most of the family worked at the mills, so the brothers/parents/children/spouses were also laid off. Most also lost their pensions, which means starting a new career path at a time when they should've been thinking of retirement, with a need to work long enough to rebuild a pension elsewhere. 
Family Status: If the worker is divorced, child support payments may be affected, and bring about legal costs at a time when there is no $$ to hire a good lawyer. 
Housing: Many participants have lost their homes due to foreclosure, as a result of the layoff. 
Health: Many of the DW's are in their 50's, which means at a time when geriatric issues are beginning, they have no health coverage. If they're on psychiatric meds, but can't get their meds, their behavior during job interviews is affected negatively. 
Ego: The steel mills paid well. I have people on my caseload who are in their 50's, with only a high school education, who were making close to $100,000.00 at the time of their layoffs. Their self-esteem plummets when they find out they'll never make that much again, even if we fund a college education for them.
I approach the situation initially from a crisis intervention standpoint, and I try to identify as many stressors as possible before devising an individual employment plan for the client. By planning with the client, instead of for him, he begins to regain a sense of being in control of his destiny. Together, we list immediate concerns, such as where to go for medical care or to keep utilities on or to get food. If depression appears to be an issue that will affect the job search effort, I also make a referral to BVR. Next, I urge him to register at the One-Stop & go there at least 3x a wk., and to sign up with at least 3 area temp agencies. Then, we identify barriers to employment or classroom training under WIA, and how best to eliminate them. For example, many of our clients have no computer skills. Essentially, I redirect the client's focus on the situation by enabling him to begin the process of regaining control of his life.
Josette 
I think a group is always the best way to deal with the Dislocated Worker.
The commonality of job loss, coupled with a work history, gives the group a
lot of strength. I have done ACE coupled with assessment and then some job
seeking skills and some classroom exploration. I think the ACE class helps
with the attitude and is the most fun of any workshop available. Somehow
the dress for success and communication units work better than a job seeking
skills class. Besides, I am very partial to ACE. I am doing a life skills
class for promise jobs and you can bet a lot of it comes from the ACE class.

Yours,
Pat Wheeler

I went through that very situation about two and a half years ago. My
company decided to close 3 offices (they had others) on Oct. 20,2001
.and we all got lay off notices. It was really hard at first but the
company did a good thing in bringing in an outplacement firm. Seeing
the representative was like counseling and we could go every week during
the 60 day period before shut down. Lee, the representative helped me
to really look at what I wanted to do and encouraged me to make good use
of my "time off". Not everyone gets an outplacement firm but similar
support can be found in California at Experience Unlimited which is
supported by EDD (Unemployment Department). 
It is very important to make every effort to stay positive and use the
time well to:
1. Learn or practice another language to increase your skills.
2. Volunteer at a non-profit agency to show that you care, want to use
your time well, learn skills, make networking connections.
3. Travel. If you have been putting off that trip, now might be the
best time to go. Travel is always a growing experience and puts a
different perspective on things.
4.. Take classes, enjoy hobbies--have a life.
By the way, my story has a happy ending. I decided that I really
wanted to work in the non-profit segment and I went to a job fair that
one of my co-workers found out about through the One Stop. I submitted
my resume to anon-profit agency which was there to support those out of
work. They did not have a job at that time, but kept my resume and 4
months later they phoned me with a job that was perfect for my interests
and experience. I now feel very good about the work that I am doing.
Betsy Safine
Program Specialist
Eden I&R