I know I'm not starting off on the right foot when I talk about getting laid off, but with the current status our economy is in, I feel this topic needs to be addressed. I was reading Forbes.com, this morning when I stumbled across an article, "Layoff Lessons".  It talks about what to do after you have been laid off.   No one wants to hear "We're downsizing, and I'm sorry to say you're part of it".

"The U.S department of Labor reported there were 85,000 jobs lost last month. But if yours was one of them, there's little comfort knowing you weren't alone. Being laid off is traumatic and life changing, especially if you've been working at the same company for a long time." Said Tara Weiss of Forbes.

For the corporate environment, as a president of a huge company, it's easy to let go of employees.  Your happiness depends on how well your company thrives, not the relationships you had with your employees.  In the independent retail industry, it's a different environment.   There is a level of intimacy that you have with your employees, maybe you know about their kids, where they live, perhaps even celebrate holidays together.  But when that time comes when you do have to fire or layoff your employee, your friend, how would you go about it? Like I said in the first paragraph, no matter how much you sugarcoat the words, "you're fired," it still sounds the same. 

So how would you go about this process? I feel the best way to go about this is to take them aside and go straight to the point. Don't cut any corners, just tell them the truth. It's going to be a hard pill to swallow, but in the long run you will both benefit. About.com says "If You Must Do Employee Layoffs; Do Layoffs With Care". It comes down to the mantra of running a successful business.

How you deal with your remaining employees following a layoff makes all the difference in how your employees recover from the loss of their coworkers. Treat the employees you lay off with dignity and respect, but nurture the remaining employees with even more care.  About.com

Running a business isn't always a smooth road, there will be bumps and egos  will be hurt. In the long run, your company will continue to thrive while your friend/ex-employee has found a better job elsewhere.

For that employee who got laid off, one shouldn't fret. Keep your daily routine. According to Forbes.com.  " Don't sleep until noon and spend the day paddling around the house in bunny slippers and sweatpants". One should treat their job hunt like a job itself which means waking up early in the morning and to search online. The bottom line is if you are productive, an opportunity will pop up.