Navigating Layoffs with Compassion: Small Acts That Make a Big Difference

Aug 20  |  Prompted and Edited by Isabel Luna  |  5 min. read

We’ve all known the heavy ache of change in our professional lives, no matter the industry—whether it’s tech, finance, healthcare, or beyond—we’ve all felt the sting of uncertainty. The gut-punch blow of losing a job, watching colleagues pack up their desks, or enduring too many farewell gatherings and somber layoff announcements leaves a lasting mark. These moments lay bare how fragile our career paths are and how much we lean on human connections that knit our workplaces together.

Layoffs stem from countless forces: a volatile global economy grappling with inflation and supply chain strains, geopolitical tensions like trade clashes or regional unrest, and the rapid rise of automation reshaping roles we once thought secure. As a Design Lead who’s guided teams through these storms and leaned on therapy for resilience over the past two years, I’ve seen how empathy, paired with practical tools, can light the way. While we can’t stop layoffs, we can offer meaningful support to those affected. Here are small, actionable ways to help colleagues who’ve lost their jobs, woven with lessons from therapy for building mental strength, for them and us:

I’ve seen how empathy, paired with practical tools, can light the way. While we can’t stop layoffs, we can offer meaningful support to those affected.

Reach Out Personally

Send a private message or call to check in. Skip generic platitudes; share a memory of their impact on a project or team. Therapy taught me that genuine connection creates emotional safety, helping someone feel valued beyond their role. Suggest box breathing (inhale for 4, hold for 4, exhale for 4, hold for 4) to ease stress in tough moments.

Open Doors Quietly

Connect them with contacts who might open doors, keeping it low-pressure: “I’d love to introduce you to my colleague at XYZ; they might have insights.” Therapy showed me that small, intentional steps build agency.

Share Tools, Not Overload

Point them to job boards for their industry, resume templates, or free upskilling courses without overwhelming them. Say, “This helped me in a transition—might be useful for you.” In therapy, I learned to find comfort in discomfort, as growth comes from navigating uncertainty.

Listen, Don’t Fix

Listen without trying to “fix” their situation. Suggest industry-specific communities or LinkedIn groups for connection. Therapy introduced me to reframing challenges—encourage them to view this loss as a chance to realign with their purpose, using journaling (a tool I’ve used) to process emotions and find clarity.

Celebrate Their Strengths

Write a LinkedIn recommendation highlighting their skills. This small act boosts confidence, a lesson from therapy about reinforcing self-worth during setbacks. Remind them that discomfort is temporary as we evolve through adversity.

Check In Over Time

Check in weeks or months later to ease the isolation that lingers after layoffs. Therapy has shown that consistent support builds resilience. Suggest they try box breathing during moments of doubt or revisit their journal to track progress towards their next chapter.

As we extend these acts of support, let’s also remember to show ourselves the same compassion when we face this tough but necessary step. Job loss, though painful, can spark rediscovery and growth. By practicing kindness and paying it forward, we create a ripple effect that starts with one gesture in our teams, strengthens entire communities, and transforms societies. Each act of care builds a culture of resilience, paving the way for new opportunities and deeper connections across our industries.