Even layoff survivors suffer

From experience, I prefer being laid off to being a survivor. When you're laid off, it's over and you can move on a little easier as you're not in the same atmosphere anymore. Plus, you're pretty much guaranteed unemployment benefits.

When you're a survivor, there is a lot of guilt & feeling like "Why am I even here? Everything is going down hill!" Also, being in HR in the aftermath of a layoff makes one non-too-popular. As if WE make the decisions (for the record, most of us just make recommendations based on performance issues...it's the managers that swing the actual ax).

I've survived a few layoffs and I'd rather have a job than not have one. Usually the ones being laid off make a whole bunch of money, underperform, or are entry-level. I don't make a whole bunch of money, don't underperform (self-contratulatory pat on the back), and I'm no longer entry-level. That's why I don't feel survivor's guilt. That and I have a cold, cold heart.

Being one who recently got the ax (but still has a few weeks of work left until my last day), I can honestly say that the atmosphere around the office is sheer paranoia. Once people start getting laid off, there's an inevitable feeling that you're on sinking ship. Remember that long scene in "The Titanic" when people start scrambling around hysterically trying to figure out who gets a lifeboat? Imagine that, but in office cubicles. Gerryx: just cuz you survived doesn't mean you're necessarily a superstar..or that you're safe! I'll see ya in the unemployment line soon.

From Wall St experience (4 cycles of boom/bust since 1994), I say if you are going to get laid off, you always want to be laid off in the early rounds. The severence packages are the most generous at that phase and you have the least competition for a new job. After that you want to be a survivor, because if its multiple rounds of layoffs, it's pretty grim out there even if you are bunking with cannibals in the office...

The psychological contract that exists between the employer and employee is broken. Survivors have more work to do. They distrust management, and feel the company is a millipede with another hundered or so shoes waiting to drop.
.
Company expect commitment from employees, but are loath to make any. It can be a depressing and toxic situation; particularly 6 months later when it becomes apparent the work can't be done with the reduced staff that was left behind and hiring starts again.

@lisa exactly why you want to go in the first rounds. Soon two weeks per year becomes two weeks and then eventually sorry we're broke.

I've survived the first round of layoffs in my law firm in downtown Manhattan (our clients are among the big banks and insurance companies in the news. Many attorneys were let go - and about 6 secretaries. It is likely we will have more layoffs. What is more upsetting is the treatment we are receiving. We get no information and there are all kinds of rumors. The secretarial supervisor is ver rude to the floaters and suggests that they are "extras". I've heard that she has gone so far as to ask if some are looking to leave and in a tone of voice to suggest that this is what she wants. More desks are closed and yet she has no spots for the existing floaters. And worse, she had the nerve to hire an entry level secretary in the wake of layoffs. And all of this is happening as if there are no laws to protect employees - as if this is some kind of 3rd world dictatorship. Yes, there will be recourse when we are let go but we are not looking forward to having to do that. We did not do anything - we did not cause this situation. We have been loyal employes and don't deserve to be treated with disrespect. And, yet, this is our reality.

skimhead, I never claimed to be a superstar. I'm solid middle of the pack, maybe upper middle if I'm being generous. By underperformers I mean those who come in late, take really long lunches, are miserable work with, and a generally awful employees. As HRWench said, they tend to go first.