Layoff Survivor's Syndrome: Understanding and Coping

Lay Off Survivor Sickness (LOSS) is a psychological condition and coping mechanism which can affect an employee of a company who manages to retain his/her job after other coworkers have been laid off (made redundant). LOSS can be the result of depression from working in a negative work environment following a work force reduction.

While the layoff survivors keep their jobs, they may feel less secure and less positive about the future of the organization. They might even feel guilt for maintaining their jobs or feel the need to prove themselves, working much harder than they did before.

Symptoms:

- Anxiety and depression

- Stress

- Fatigue, especially upon waking up in the morning

- Problems in concentration and memory

- Increased alcohol and nicotine use

- Digestive and bowel irregularities

- Muscle tension headaches and soreness