When Employment Ends, Do Workplace Friendships Have to Vanish Too?

The day I received the call announcing the end of my consulting gig, it didn't entirely catch me off guard. In the dynamic world of HR consulting, projects have a natural lifecycle, and you always know that your time with a particular client will eventually come to a close. What genuinely surprised me, though, was how swiftly some of my cherished "workplace friendships" seemed to fade away alongside the project.

Consulting involves forging close relationships with clients, where trust is built over time. These connections are genuine, extending well beyond the boundaries of a professional project. You share experiences, overcome challenges together, and even celebrate successes as a tight-knit team. These bonds transcend the transactional nature of work.

Many people today are grappling with job loss and the subsequent feeling of isolation. For some, it's their first experience with unemployment, and losing colleagues can be especially difficult during such times.

Job loss isn't a contagious affliction, and friendships shouldn't have an expiration date tied to your employment status. It's an unspoken truth that can easily be overlooked when you find yourself out of a job. The camaraderie, shared laughter, and support system that colleagues provide are truly invaluable. They transform from mere coworkers into integral parts of your life.

So, why does this phenomenon happen?

Part of it can be attributed to the discomfort often accompanying job loss. People might not know how to respond or what to say to someone who's been let go. They might fear saying the wrong thing or feel guilty about retaining their jobs, leading them to withdraw and inadvertently weaken once-strong connections.

Another factor to consider is that individuals might be hesitant to maintain close ties with someone they once viewed as a friend, fearing it could impact their standing within the company or show a “lack of loyalty” to their manager.

This experience serves as a poignant reminder that this could happen to anyone. Job loss is a reality that can affect even the most secure of positions.

Do I miss my work friends? Yes.  Although I'm accustomed to moving on as a consultant, it doesn't make saying goodbye to those connections any less challenging.

So, regardless of the reasons behind this phenomenon, it's important to remember that those laid off still need their friends.

If you have a colleague who has recently been let go, please stay in touch with them. After all, genuine friendships should be resilient to weather, even the most challenging professional storms.