Wouldn’t it be wonderful to get through a week in which you didn’t hear about another friend or acquaintance being laid-off? Unfortunately, this horrible streak of lay-offs doesn’t seem to be going anywhere. It’s an issue that really tests our standards of etiquette, as well. How do you handle a lay-off? How do you act when you hear that someone near and dear—or even a fellow co-worker—has lost their job?
To help with the former, TIME has assembled this thoughtful guide that advises how to handle a lay-off with dignity and grace—not to mention any employee rights you may have! I think it’s a valuable read—and hopefully you won’t have to heed the advice!
If someone you know has been laid-off, be considerate and avoid making any statement that could be seen as condescending, such as “I know how you feel.” And avoid complaining about work—things could definitely be worse! Instead, remain positive, and offer to help them out with any contacts that may aid their job search.