How to bounce back after a remote work layoff

In the last five years, the landscape of work has dramatically shifted. The pandemic acted as a catalyst for the rise of remote work, giving many a taste of the flexibility they never knew they needed. Companies responded by offering more flexibility and even fully remote work options, allowing professionals to live where they choose, even in more rural areas, while maintaining their careers. At one point, across the US, 42% of workers were working from home full-time.

While remote work offers undeniable perks—living where you want, lower costs, and better work-life balance—it also comes with risks, particularly when layoffs occur. For those who’ve fully embraced remote work and relocated to less urban areas, being laid off can be especially disruptive and challenging. So, what are the hidden costs of being laid off as a fully remote worker and how can you safeguard yourself and bounce back?

Why work remotely?

The desire for remote work has become a permanent fixture for many. According to one study, 65% of workers prefer full-time remote work, and 58% would consider looking for a new job if they could no longer work remotely. The appeal is clear: more space, better cost of living, and increased flexibility. However, these benefits can turn into challenges when faced with a layoff.

Take Jodie, for example. An SDR who was four months postpartum when she was made redundant from her fully remote job. She said that she faced the daunting task of “finding a new remote role while caring for a newborn, all while ruling out the option of moving to [a bigger] city.” Jodie’s experience highlights the hidden costs and risks associated with remote work layoffs.

The hidden costs

There are several hidden costs that often only come to light once you’re in the position of being laid off from your remote work. Remote work often means geographic isolation, which can limit your opportunities for networking and maintaining professional relationships. When you’re laid off, this isolation can result in fewer job opportunities and a longer job search.

If a layoff forces you to consider returning to office work, you may face either a lengthy commute or the expensive and emotionally taxing process of relocating. Many people move with the expectation that their remote job will be long-term, so the sudden need to move back to a city can be both frustrating and costly. Many people invest in relocating with their remote job because they think this will be a long-term move, and so finding out it is more short-term is far from ideal.

Remote jobs are in high demand, for the reasons mentioned above, with 75% of Millennials and Gen Z sharing that the ability to work remotely was a critical factor for them when choosing a job. This means when it comes to replacing your remote job, you are going to face more competition and a tougher job market, potentially leading to a longer period of unemployment.

How to safeguard and bounce back

If you’re someone who currently works remotely, or is looking to move fully remote, then you are going to want to limit your exposure to the costs and risks of doing so, especially as it relates to layoffs. Keep your career in your hands, not that of a single job or company. Here are some strategies you can use to do exactly that.

1. Build and maintain relationships

It’s important to stay connected to your existing network while continuing to develop new relationships with colleagues, peers, clients, and professional groups. You can do this using LinkedIn to connect with people, offer virtual coffee chats, join virtual events, and lean into employee resources if offered like social Slack groups.

Jodie recommends “being open and saying yes to connections and conversations without having an agenda. Network, network, network.” Sharing that in her experience, this led to her successfully being hired for a remote job after she was made redundant. It’s important here to do as Jodie did and be proactive. “It is very different to network when you are looking for a job, or a favor, as it is to build relationships when you don’t need anything.”

2. Diversify your skills

In a fast-changing world, continuous upskilling is key to staying competitive. If you want to differentiate yourself within a specialized job market, focused on remote work, then you want to show your ability to work successfully remotely. This may even lead you to venture into new industries, or different roles, and being able and flexible to do so will only make it easier to replace your remote position.

Leveraging previous skills can also provide a safety net during a layoff. Jodie says that, given her background in teaching, she “considered returning to substitute teaching as a flexible local option.” Consider what skills you have that you may not have used for a while but that can support you through a remote work layoff to minimize disruption to your life. Consider where you can be flexible. If your priority is to stay remote, you may opt for flexibility in your industry, role, or seniority.

3. Consider hybrid work

Being open to hybrid roles can significantly expand your job options. Many companies are adopting hybrid work models, and being flexible enough to work a few days in the office could lead to faster employment. Jodie shared that when looking for remote work she found that “many so-called remote jobs on LinkedIn were actually hybrid roles.”

She ultimately found her next remote job through Flexa Careers, a platform that verifies company remote policies. It was actually upon discovering Flexa and using them to verify remote roles that Jodie was able to find her next remote job… with them! It shows the power of being open to exploring different industries and being open to opportunities that stretch your experience.

4. Sell yourself

Highlight your remote work experience on LinkedIn and in your job applications. Provide specific examples that demonstrate your success as a remote worker, emphasizing your skills and technological capabilities. Writing articles or posts about your remote work experience can also help position you as an ideal candidate for future remote roles.

You may also choose to engage with companies that are offering hybrid work to see if they are open to hiring remotely. Be sure to have this conversation early, you don’t want to waste your time (or theirs) if this isn’t going to be an option.

5. Create a safety net

For many, working remotely comes with the ability to lower living costs. This is a great opportunity to create or add to an emergency financial fund to provide some flexibility in the case of a layoff so that you wouldn’t have to jump into a job you don’t like or want, in a location you know you don’t want to be in. Having a financial cushion can save you a lot of unnecessary stress and expenses and keep you from being dependent on your employer for your remote lifestyle. Nobody wants to think of the worst-case scenario when they are in the excitement of getting the remote job they want, but being willing to think and plan for it today is what creates more flexibility and ease later down the road.

While remote work offers significant benefits, it also comes with hidden risks that become apparent during layoffs. By planning ahead, maintaining your network, and being clear about your remote work capabilities, you can mitigate these risks and navigate the challenges of a remote layoff with greater ease. As the desire for remote work continues to grow, being proactive in your career planning will help you bounce back from any unexpected job loss.

Photo: Welcome to the Jungle

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