Notice: Undefined variable: apf_rel_post in /home/blogsites/americandrama/www/wp-content/plugins/add-post-footer/add_post_footer.php on line 373

Notice: Undefined variable: d_tags in /home/blogsites/americandrama/www/wp-content/plugins/sexybookmarks/includes/public.php on line 741

Folks are still receiving the pink slips and while the news out of Washington can be confusing in terms of whether the economy’s actually recovering or not, odds are, it’s affected you on a personal level over the past few years.  One of those areas that it might have affected you and your household is the lay off of a spouse.  It’s difficult enough on a family, but if it’s your husband or wife, you have a full plate with covering the financial bases while also reassuring them that it’s going to be OK.  You want to support him or her, but practicalities must also be dealt with.  We asked A. Harrison Barnes, career coach and EmploymentCrossing.com founder his ideas for navigating those tricky waters that include your better half and a lay off.  Here’s what he had to say:

Be sure to let your spouse know you’re right there with them.  Provide the obligatory shoulder to cry on and then get down to the practical aspects.  Was there a severance package involved and if so, the two of you will need to sit down and determine what’s next, especially when it comes to medical insurance and 401(k) plans.

Up next, you may need to take a realistic look at the bank balances.  Have automated payments that come out each month based on your now unemployed spouse’s pay periods?  Don’t waste another second with cancelling those scheduled debits.  Even one fee the bank will charge for the convenience of pulling money from your savings account to cover the payment can be substantial – especially with a reduced income.

Don’t forget to file for unemployment.  If you’re the computer whiz in the family, take matters into your own hands and get the ball rolling by filing online.  If you’re like many Americans and are already living payday to payday, wasting a single day can create havoc for your family.

If needed, sit down with the children and explain to them things are going to be different for a while.  Determine what’s age appropriate for your own children and explain to them it’s just part of life, but that they remain top priority for mom and dad.  This would be a good time to announce the trip to Disney World has been postponed, too, says A. Harrison Barnes.  Remember to explain to them it’s not cancelled; it’s just pushed back a bit until things get better.

Finally, keep the lines of communication open.  There’s a good chance the blues will set in and if that happens, it can throw a wrench into how fast your family recovers from the job loss.  Times like these can really test a marriage, says the EmploymentCrossing.com founder, but it’s crucial you come together as a team and work to put it behind you so that you can get back to the business of better living.

Resources
Post Your Resume to 65+ Job Sites
Resume Service

Post to Twitter Tweet This Post