Worried About Job Security in a Crisis? What to Check

Updated September 2026: this 2020 post described being on vacation with my family when Covid-19 lockdowns began, worrying about my job until a teammate reassured me the team was busy with client work. I have rewritten it into practical steps for anyone worried about job security during a crisis.

I was on a long vacation with family when the pandemic spread across the country and our team was told to work from home until further notice. Being away, I had heard nothing from the office, and I anxiously called a teammate. He said the team was busy with work from client partners and there was no talk of job losses or salary cuts. The reassurance helped, and the unexpected time with family turned out to be restorative.

Where should you get reliable information?

From official company communications and your manager, not rumours on messaging groups. A trusted teammate, as in my case, is a good second source for how busy the team actually is. Busy teams with active client work are generally in a safer position than teams waiting for projects.

What signals should you watch?

Your allocation: are you on billable client work, or unallocated?
Company announcements: hiring freezes, delayed hikes or cost cutting.
Client news: major clients pausing or cutting spending.
Team changes: people moved off projects without replacements.

One signal alone means little; several together are worth acting on.

What can you do to improve your position?

Stay visibly allocated and useful: volunteer for client work, keep your status updates regular, and pick up skills your accounts need. If you are unallocated, ask your manager directly about upcoming opportunities rather than waiting.

How do you prepare without panicking?

Update your CV and online profile, build an emergency fund if you do not have one, and check what your insurance covers if it is tied to your employer. These steps cost little and make any outcome easier to handle.

What should you ask your manager?

Ask plainly what the outlook is for your team and your role, and what would make you more valuable in the coming months. Managers often cannot share everything, but a direct question usually gets a more useful answer than waiting for announcements.

Should you use time with family during a crisis without guilt?

Yes, while staying reachable for work. The weeks I spent with family during that period were among the most restful I had had in years. Anxiety about work does not improve your job security, and time spent with family is not a threat to it.