Through the Public Insight Network we’ve heard lots of stories and met many people who have girded themselves for layoffs, and many for whom the dreaded pink slip appeared.
But what happens after the layoff? Talk to us.
Getting laid off can be an isolating experience during which it’s easy to lose touch with coworkers and a company that may have had an important place in the employee’s life. But some laid-off employees are staying in touch with former coworkers and their old company through online social networks.
Sonja Cole of Montclair NJ got laid off from a publishing company in February. She’s been a social media ninja ever since:
Facebook has been great for staying close with people I used to work with because so many of us were laid off at the same time, it felt like we all just scattered. With 
Facebook I can keep in touch with people who still have jobs at my old company (who might be able to hire me back), and it helps me keep in touch with the other people who were laid off with me, give them moral support and help with their job search if I can. Twitter has been a great way for me to let people know about my own business that I am trying to get off the ground now. I follow everyone I can find from my old company to let them know about my new business and try to develop leads that way.
If you’ve been laid off, how have you kept up relationships with your former employer, or your coworkers? Did you burn bridges, or leave on good terms? If you have any experience staying in touch via social networking or a “corporate alumni community,” what’s that like?
Respond here to keep your response private to the newsroom, or just hit us up in the comments for the whole world to read your sordid tale.
I have done both. I worked a retail job for little over two years, I still have a good relationship with everyone there, even though I left that job over five years. Four months ago I walked out of a job and a screaming boss. That position is still on my resume, no phone number included.