10 Things to Do When You Get Laid Off From a Comics Publisher
Must read if you've been laid off and for those of you that haven't yet...
*I walk into the frame, spin the chair backward, and take a seat like a teacher trying to be cool.*
So, you’ve got laid off from your job at a major comic book publisher.
For those of you that didn’t know, I was laid off in July. I’m not here to spill the tea on what happened to me or speculate on what’s going on elsewhere. I’d like to provide some words of wisdom that you should consider after you’ve been given the pink slip through a virtual meeting.
1. Don’t bottle up your emotions.
Look, this isn’t your fault. OK. Maybe it is. But so what! It’s alright to be emotional. Don’t bottle it up inside. Talk to a friend, family member, or some stranger about how you’re feeling. As I mentioned before, hundreds of thousands of people have lost their jobs this year. You’re in good company. The 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline is open 24/7.
2. There is no need to explain anything to anyone.
You’re going to get messages from people probing you to spill your guts so they can run off and play a game of telephone with your experience. Keep it to yourself. You don’t owe an explanation to anyone about what happened. Your financial situation and livelihood isn’t public knowledge, and you can’t trust that former colleagues will have your best interest in mind.
3. Negotiate for a better severance package.
Counter for more money; especially, if they want you to sign a non-disclosure agreement. Will you get more money? Maybe. But there’s no harm in asking questions. Remember: NDAs* are only enforceable if they’re bulletproof. But they don’t think you know that.
*Note that this or anything on this post and page is not meant to be taken as legal counsel. You should have your lawyer review any documents before signing them. I would consider seeking help from someone like Gamal Hennessy or Creator Resource.
4. Move forward.
What happened, happened. There’s nothing you can do to change the situation. This is a learning opportunity. But there are lots of jobs out there. I haven’t seen an email this letter since February, but, I would suggest subscribing to Buddy Scalera’s Comic Book School Newsletter. He’s always posting comic book publishing job listings.
5. File for unemployment now.
I know. It’s not fun. But don’t screw yourself out of money that you can be collecting until you are gainfully employed. There’s no shame in taking a hand up. I would also consider signing up for EBT aka food stamps. Go to your nearest library if you need assistance and they will be able to point you in the right direction or check out their website first. LAPL has a lot of resources.
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