Commentary: ‘Was I chosen for retrenchment?’ How to deal with your emotions after getting laid off

File photo. Many patients have cited retrenchment, along with the persistent fear of job loss and ensuing insecurity, as primary stressors triggering their depressive episodes or anxiety disorders. SINGAPORE: I recently congratulated a friend who swiftly secured a new job after enduring a few months of retrenchment. With a generous severance package, I had presumed he would relish the opportunity for a paid respite from work. However, his sad countenance revealed a different narrative.

The emotional process of retrenchment often mirrors the stages of grief, as individuals cope with the loss of their jobs in ways that can strikingly resemble mourning a significant personal loss. This comparison is grounded in the framework of the five stages of grief developed by Elisabeth Kübler-Ross, which include denial, anger, bargaining, depression and acceptance.

Retrenchment can be understood as a significant life event - a psychological lexicon denoting a disruption that necessitates major adjustments to one's daily life. Such events, which range from marriage to major illness to job loss, often require substantial mental and emotional adaptation. The stress of financial instability following job loss is directly tied to mental health decline. This acute financial stress exacerbates psychological distress and complicates the recovery process, as the ongoing financial hardships can continue affecting the individual's mental health well after they have found new employment.

Moreover, abrupt reductions in staff can lead to a loss of institutional knowledge and disrupt internal operations, potentially leading to decreased efficiency and effectiveness. Maintaining clear and open communication throughout the retrenchment process is vital. Employees should be well-informed about the reasons behind layoffs, the criteria used for making such decisions, and the logistics involved. Transparency in this process helps mitigate the spread of rumours and misinformation that can exacerbate employee stress and anxiety.

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