Question

III. Read the article and say what you think of its contents: If you Lose your Job – Ways to SurviveInterview with Mr. May, Financial PlannerQ. Mr. May, is it possible for a person to emerge unscathed from a long period of being out of job?A. I’d say unscathed would be too optimistic. But it’s certainly possible to plan ahead and to survive a period of unemployment without deep emotional and psychological scars.Especially in this recession, the whole concept of long-term job security – whether it be in government, the auto industry or whatever – is changing. People seem more aware that if they’re laid off they may not get called back.Q. What’s the most painful part of unemployment?A. For most people, it’s psychological and emotional stress. There are four stages that people seem to go through when they lose a job. The first usually is panic: «What am I going to do financially, personally?» Second is guilt: «I’m not worth anything. My coworkers are still there and I’m not. Something must be wrong with me.» The third step, usually, is to turn it outward and say, «Aha! It wasn’t me, it was that guy.» You externalize the blame and really get angry at the world, your boss or whomever.It’s not until the last stage, which is renewed self-confidence and determination, that you are in a frame of mind to convince someone to hire you. That, in the end, is what all the career books and counseling sessions really do: They build you back up, convince you that it wasn’t anything personal.Q. Just how can someone cope with psychological stress?A. The main thing is to realize that you’re not alone, that this is not unique situation. I liken it to divorce and death. It’s in that magnitude of psychological, emotional trauma.You should be willing to ask for help and to communicate with others. A lot of strong-willed people never do. They even hide it from family and friends to the extent that they fake going to work in the morning. Sometimes, it’s weeks before they are found out because they won’t admit it to themselves and their world.IV. Answer the following questions:1. What effect may a long period of unemployment produce?2. What stages of psychological state does a person out of work go through?3. Why do some people conceal their unemployment from their close relatives?4. Do you consider Mr. May's advice helpful?5. How would you react in a similar situation?V. Role-play:1. You are talking with a manager. You are interested in his methods of management, his successes and failures.2. You would like to organize a social-psychological service at your work. You discuss this problem with the manager of your firm.3. You are working in the firm where there is a special social-psychological service. Tell the students about the relaxation practice in this service.​

Answer 1

The article discusses the challenges and psychological aspects of coping with long-term unemployment and offers insights on how individuals can navigate through this difficult situation. Mr. May, a financial planner, shares his perspective on the emotional and psychological toll that unemployment can have on individuals. He highlights the various stages that people often go through when they lose a job, including panic, guilt, blaming others, and eventually renewed self-confidence.

Mr. May's advice revolves around acknowledging the emotional stress of unemployment, seeking help, and communicating with others to avoid isolating oneself. He emphasizes that seeking assistance and sharing your situation with others is important, as some individuals tend to hide their unemployment even from close friends and family.

IV. Answer the following questions:

1. A long period of unemployment can produce emotional and psychological scars on individuals.

2. The stages of psychological state a person out of work goes through are panic, guilt, blaming others, and eventually renewed self-confidence.

3. Some people conceal their unemployment from close relatives due to feelings of shame, guilt, or fear of judgment.

4. Mr. May's advice can be considered helpful as it encourages acknowledging and addressing the emotional aspects of unemployment, seeking help, and building self-confidence.

5. As an AI, I don't experience personal situations, but in a similar situation, individuals might feel a mix of emotions such as stress, anxiety, and uncertainty. Following Mr. May's advice of seeking support, communicating openly, and rebuilding self-confidence could be valuable.

V. Role-play:

1. In this role-play, you could act as an employee interviewing a manager to learn about their management methods, successes, and challenges.

2. You could pretend to be an employee discussing the idea of establishing a social-psychological service with your firm's manager, explaining the benefits and reasons behind the proposal.

3. In this role-play, you could portray an employee at a firm with an existing social-psychological service, explaining to students how the relaxation practices in this service work and their benefits for employees.

Answer 2

1. A long period of unemployment can produce various effects on individuals. It can lead to financial difficulties, which can cause stress and anxiety. It can also lead to feelings of worthlessness, as some people may start to question their skills and abilities. Additionally, prolonged unemployment can result in social isolation and a loss of self-confidence.

2. According to Mr. May, a person out of work typically goes through four stages of psychological state. The first stage is panic, where individuals are overwhelmed by financial and personal concerns. The second stage is guilt, where they start to question their self-worth and believe that there is something wrong with them. The third stage is blaming others, where individuals shift the blame to external factors and get angry at their boss or the world. The final stage is renewed self-confidence and determination, where individuals rebuild their confidence and become ready to convince someone to hire them.

3. Some people conceal their unemployment from their close relatives because they may feel ashamed or embarrassed about their situation. They may fear judgment or pity from others and want to maintain their image of success and stability. Additionally, some individuals may feel pressure to appear strong and independent, and admitting their unemployment may be seen as a sign of weakness in their culture or social circle.

4. Mr. May's advice is helpful as it emphasizes the importance of planning ahead and being prepared for a period of unemployment. He highlights the psychological and emotional stress that comes with losing a job, and suggests seeking support and communicating with others to cope with the stress. By acknowledging the commonality of the experience and encouraging individuals to ask for help, Mr. May offers practical advice for surviving unemployment.

5. In a similar situation, I would try to follow Mr. May's advice. I would first acknowledge and accept my emotions, but then focus on planning ahead and seeking support from others. I would communicate with my family and friends, seeking their understanding and assistance. I would also seek professional help or counseling if needed to cope with the emotional stress. Finally, I would work on rebuilding my self-confidence and determination to find a new job.

Role-play: 1. As a manager, I would discuss my methods of management openly and honestly. I would share my successes and failures, as well as the strategies I use to motivate and support my team. I would emphasize the importance of effective communication, setting clear expectations, and providing regular feedback to help employees succeed.

2. If I wanted to organize a social-psychological service at my workplace, I would discuss this problem with the manager of my firm. I would highlight the benefits of such a service, including improving employee mental well-being, reducing stress, and enhancing productivity. I would present research and examples of successful implementation in other companies to emphasize the potential value of having a social-psychological service.

3. Working in a firm with a special social-psychological service, I would inform the students about the relaxation practice offered in this service. I would explain how the service provides techniques such as mindfulness exercises, breathing exercises, and guided imagery to help employees relax and reduce stress. I would emphasize the importance of self-care and stress management in maintaining a healthy work-life balance.