These past few weeks have been rife with the abrupt shuttering of government programs, firings of thousands of government and nonprofit employees, and the long tail. knock-on effect on everyone from aid program employees to dock workers and rural farmers. The topic of endings has been front of mind across the globe, so people have been reaching out to basically say, “Wow, everything is closing! This must be your moment!”
It is so very much NOT my moment.
This is basically everything I don’t ever want to see happen. Cruel, callous ejections of people that THE WORLD STILL NEEDS — all while we have more than enough money to keep them working — is nothing like what I prescribe or want to occur.
Now, don’t get me wrong. I am a person who stands very far to the left — miles away from the left of the left of congressional chambers, and no great fan of the state or representative of representative democracies. But you know what I detest more than any of that? EVIL. My opposition to humans bringing misery to other humans or the planet solely for their financial and political gain (or because they think it is a fun game!) is at the heart of my political convictions and also at the heart of the work I am continuing to develop here at The Wind Down.
In a previous post, I wrote about what is lost when things close down poorly. Just to recap, that list includes:
- knowledge loss
- breakdown of relationships – external and internal
- reputational damage
- leaving a service vacuum
- loss of breadcrumbs/traceability back to the work you did and the people that did it.
In yet another post, I also wrote about reasons why projects and organizations close. Having to close suddenly usually happens when an organization suddenly runs out of money, finds itself in a dangerous situation such as an actual warzone, or when the/their work finds itself in say a hailstorm of controversy. While the institutions are under attack, I’d say it’s not quite the same as a warzone situation. An artificial warzone has been created, which, ironically, is now endangering the lives and well-being of many people in actual zones of war, disease, and famine and likely contributing to their increase.
Needless to say, these closures represent the kind that are not prominent on my BINGO card. It is just about the nightmare scenario of total failure and loss, and the consequences are likely to reverberate for years — if not decades — to come.
“I’ve learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.” – Maya Angelou
So what do I recommend when you are in the absolute worst case closure?
Well, first of all, let me say that I am IN NO WAY implying that the people in this situation have any responsibility to do anything more, this is just if people are at loose ends and want to explore how to maybe make a splash of lemonade out of lemons. Feel free to do nothing but plot revenge, if you wish. Lord knows these devils deserve it. But for anyone who wants to continue on with me and this thought experiment. Here are a few ideas*:
SCENARIO 1: THINGS ARE BAD, BUT YOU STILL HAVE YOUR JOB.
If you can, back up contacts, important (non-proprietary) documents, and start taking some of your desk stuff (if you work onsite) home. Also, I know a lot of people end up using the work computer as the personal computer, but if they demand you give it back you will lose a lot. So, look into getting your own device or backing up bookmarks and whatever else you need to the cloud. Get phone numbers of some of your co-workers and give them yours.
Ask around for names of labor lawyers now just in case. If you can get a free consult just so you know your rights, take it!
SCENARIO 2: THINGS ARE BAD, AND YOU’VE BEEN TOLD YOU MAY SOON BE LET GO.
See above and do everything listed there. Take home EVERYTHING (if you work onsite). Wipe your computer of anything personal NOW.
SCENARIO 3: YOU’VE BEEN LET GO BUT THE ORGANIZATION IS STILL OPEN
If you weren’t able to get your physical things, first try to reach out officially to see if they can put your things in the mail. It sucks because they may miss stuff, but it can be better than nothing. If they refuse, you can see about getting a lawyer to write an official letter. If you can, hold off on signing your separation paperwork until you got your property returned.
As for documents, you might try reaching out to a trusted co-worker via phone, email, or LinkedIn. DO NOT write them on work email. You might jeopardize their job and make things worse for both of you. If that person can safelyget documents to you, they should download and send via a non-email address. Sharing via GDRive or some other work system is NOT THE MOVE.
SCENARIO 4: YOU’VE BEEN LET GO, EVERYONE WAS LET GO, AND THE WHOLE ORG IS CLOSED.
Find the others and get creative. If there is legal action you can take, take it! I particularly love that the former employees of (now-shuttered) 18F swarmed on a website the day they were fired and had it stood up in under 4 hours.
The other day, I attended a really beautiful, early morning, grief circle hosted by Fearless Project for people that worked with and through USAID. It was valuable for people to just see each other and not feel alone. I heard so much confusion, loss, fear, grief, love, and resilience. People are disappointed and heartbroken, but no one was talking about giving up or going corporate. However, I was moved by how much they still wanna find a way to do the do-goodery stuff that drew them to charity and public service.
What did I miss? What have you seen that has been effective in salvaging a bad ending?? Lemme know in the comments!!
*GIANT DISCLAIMER: I am not a lawyer. None of this is legal advice. I HIGHLY recommend you get a lawyer if you are in a bad situation in any organization. Lawyers have saved my professional bacon many times, and I can’t suggest enough that you work with them when things get (or even feel!) bad.
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