r/SafetyProfessionals • u/veggie_lauren • Jul 10 '25
USA Well, I got laid off today…
I’m so bummed, I really loved my job and the culture was changing there. People kept telling me how great a job I was doing and how they could see all the positive changes and support.
I was told they couldn’t afford my position anymore because they were making less profit. But in reality, they’ll lose more money before they will have more claims. And that makes me sad for everyone who works there.
I don’t know, I just needed someplace to vent. I know I’ll find something better but it just feels like I lost a huge part of what I loved.
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u/UawDawg230 Jul 10 '25
Just goes to show how that company truly prioritizes safety first culture. Good luck on future positions
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u/veggie_lauren Jul 10 '25
Absolutely! They’re all about making money rather than protecting their biggest assets. Thank you!
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u/Old_Scratch3771 Jul 10 '25
This happened to me last year. Over the past six months I’ve seen safety jobs dry up compared to last year. I hope you don’t experience the same situation as me, but I decided I don’t believe the safety industry is a reliable place for a career anymore, so I’m studying to go back to school at 44 years old.
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u/timid_soup Jul 10 '25
I also got laid off recently-ish (similar reason given as OP). Safety positions within an hour drive from me are very slim compared to what they were when I was last applying in 2023, especially with my minimal years of experience. And as the months go on they are getting slimmer (and less well paid). I'm starting to get worried, but haven't lost hope.
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u/Clark718 Jul 10 '25
I graduated in 2023 too. I’m sorry you’re going through this and hope it gets better for you
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u/ratnoises_catpounces Jul 11 '25
Omg I’m so glad to find people going through the same thing, I graduated at the same time as you and had to stop working for personal reasons. Trying to get back into the field now has been horrid
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u/Stoops127 Jul 10 '25
Interested in what you’re going back to school for. I’m 35, got my CSP and manufacturing risk insurance specialist cert and over 10 years in the game. Got laid off a year ago now and still haven’t landed anything . Insane number of jobs just ghosting my resume . One job I got 6 interviews with before they had their recruiter email me saying they were going with a different candidate. I feel the same way as you at the moment , don’t find it to be a reliable career anymore which was a crazy thought just a few years back
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u/Old_Scratch3771 Jul 10 '25
I’m studying for the LSAT and an scheduled to take it in September
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u/Stoops127 Jul 10 '25
Good for you dude. I'd imagine that's quite a difficult test to prep for. I'll be pulling for you.
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u/Old_Scratch3771 Jul 11 '25
Thanks. To be honest, it feels like a natural progression after safety. It reminds me of CSP prep.
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u/veggie_lauren Jul 10 '25
Oh wow, luckily I’m in a HCOL area where there are a lot of safety opportunities so I’ll see what’s out there. Luckily my last company may be hiring again if all else fails.
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u/wandering_revenant Jul 11 '25
I've been wondering about this myself, sadly. I got laid off last month after 8 years as a safety engineering consultant at 39.
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u/nismov2 Jul 10 '25
Hang in there. You’ll find another job and probably a job with an even better workplace environment.
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u/RyanTheBastard Jul 10 '25
Take a breather this happens, reflect on the positives and any experiences you can keep going forward.
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u/jvderosa Jul 10 '25 edited Jul 10 '25
Don’t sweat it. You’ll find a better position making more money and a year from now you’ll be saying it was the best thing that ever happened. I’m 61 and have gone through several transitions throughout my career. It always feels like the end of the world at the time but almost always led to something better. Never stop learning.
Never stop growing. Never stop networking. Within the last 6 months got my Certified Hazardous Materials Manager (CHMM) credential and became an Authorized OSHA Outreach Trainer for General Industry. I’ve always wanted the CSP so that’s next.
Hang in there and have faith that you can do it. Think big and what you want to do next. Focus on the horizon and go after it. You’ll be fine.
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u/veggie_lauren Jul 10 '25
Looking at the jobs that are in my area, you’re absolutely right. 😊
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u/veggie_lauren Jul 10 '25
RemindMe! 1 Year
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u/Responsible_Hawk_676 Jul 10 '25 edited Jul 10 '25
God has better plans for you. Stay confident and be very confident during job interviews. Do not say anything negative about the employer that laid u off. They will face their karma. Maybe someday u will feel happy that these losers let u go🙏.
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u/GW36638 Jul 10 '25 edited Jul 10 '25
I'm very sorry to hear that! Keep your head up, update your resume and get it out there.
As bad as this sucks. I've learned to accept that safety will always take a back seat to production, even if it doesn't appear that way on paper. I have always worked construction safety. And most every company has manuals, safety plans and procedures that glow on paper. But they don't adhere to it if they don't have to. Just a basic smoke and mirrors game! Quite a few times I've been laid off before any craftsman hardly was.
I've learned to just "float along" and be prepared to bail out if things get too bad, or they start trying to throw me under the bus. And always have an emergency fund.
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u/safetyhawk810 Jul 10 '25
Sorry you’re dealing with that. If you’re looking for a stop gap hit up some safety staffing firms in your area and Yellow Bird for some possible gig safety work.
Based on other comments here and my own observations from my markets, I think we’re seeing the market correction from 2020-2024 where salaries were exploding and everyone was jumping ship for higher paying jobs. The market was hard for employers, demand was up, supply was down and salary ranges got high. Those jobs are good while you can get them but positions that get hired in at too much above the normal band for an organization are usually early on the chopping block at the next downturn.
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u/Creative-Shopping469 Jul 10 '25
It’s alright man lots of safety jobs in the U.S places like Dulles VA need people bad you’ll get a better job maybe even a raise
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u/CovertProphet84 Manufacturing Jul 10 '25
How long were you at this company?
How many years of experience?
Do you have any certifications?
Depending on your answers you’ll have varying levels of success finding a new position. I saw you mentioned your location is ripe with opportunities, best of luck.
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u/0zw1n Jul 10 '25
Happened to me earlier this year. Something better will come. Trust the process.
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u/Ken_Thomas Construction Jul 10 '25
Been there, done that. I hate to say it, but it kinda comes with the territory. Safety is all overhead, and it's an easy cut to make when the numbers on the spreadsheet start to turn red. "Which one of these positions isn't absolutely necessary?"
It's short-term thinking, and will only hurt the company in the long run, but when the CEO starts thinking about the cuts and cost-saving measures he'll show the Board of Directors to save his own ass, he's definitely not thinking about the long-term good of the company.
This is one of the two reasons why I advise every young safety professional I coach to get a minimum of 3 months' salary into a savings account somewhere, and then just forget about it until you get in a bind. That rule has saved my ass more than once.
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u/veggie_lauren Jul 10 '25
Definitely, I’ll be interested in the direction they decide to take.
Yeahhh I need to cut down on spending and start saving once I can. Good advice thank you!
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u/Ken_Thomas Construction Jul 10 '25
The secret is when you get your next job and set up your direct deposit, have your bank take 5% of each paycheck and put it in a separate account. You won't even notice the difference. Once that account equals 3 months of your salary, turn off the deposits to it and just forget it's there.
You'll feel like you got a little raise, and you'll have a good safety net when this kind of thing comes up, because trust me - every once in awhile this sort of thing is going to happen.3
u/veggie_lauren Jul 10 '25
Thank you I love that idea!! I’m so bummed I’m going to lose my company matches on my 401k 😭
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u/carolinawahoo Jul 11 '25
Sorry to hear. You just have to roll with the punches. In 2003 I moved from consulting to my first EHS manager role for a biotech company. Five years later when they were about to close up shop, I landed a great EHS role with a fortune 500 company. I stayed with them for 13 years. Was promoted twice into regional and global leadership roles. They started to move from a centralized to decentralized model and my role was going to be eliminated within a year. I looked internally and externally and quickly found two solid opportunities in 2021 (COVID!) one for a VP role in a startup, the other was a global head for a tolling biotech manufacturer. The startup was booming ..growing fast...and gave me the chance to build my own program. I took my shot...yolo! Then 2023 hit and the IPO market was crushed. They got crushed. I got laid off in 2024. Landed another leadership role for a Fortune 100 company that desperately needed a culture overhaul. Landed the job two weeks before severance ended. I'm two years in and am enjoying it. I hope it's my last job.
I'm a 25 year career EHS professional. It's been rewarding but definitely has its ups and downs. We are overhead in the eyes of most (even though we know better). It's not a career for the faint of heart. If you are passionate and deliver results the opportunity will be there. If you don't love it, there's nothing wrong with trying something else.
Good luck and keep grinding!
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u/veggie_lauren Jul 11 '25
Holy cow that’s exhausting! Yeah this job helped me realize this is definitely my passion so at least I have that going for me!
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u/Okie294life Jul 11 '25
Sorry this happened to you, I’ve been in EHS for 20 years and only been out of work one time, and it was due to politics, not job performance. It’s gonna happen to everyone, I don’t think anyone is 100% immune to it. The days of working 20 years with a company are over. I think you see it a lot more in large organizations and larger facilities, they hire a different leadership team, the culture goes to hell, six months later what was once an awesome job is now a miserable place to work, and the fires to your back.
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u/Common_Plate_9363 Jul 11 '25
I’ve been on and off my career (working shutdowns in refineries) and the only time I’ve been let go was for politics because I would not lick the president of the companies boots ( because he was awful and had horrible ideas but of course he didn’t see that because he would stay in his office) btw you from Oklahoma?
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u/West-Mortgage9334 Jul 11 '25
I wouldn't worry too much, I'm a licensed superintendent, I was let go from a company, which is classify as "bullshit reasoning" but i ended up with an amazing company now that I'm more than happy with.
When one door closes, another opens.....and if its true that people were really that happy with you, than the next company will see that too.
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u/veggie_lauren Jul 12 '25
Thank you, yes they said they would give me an amazing referral. I’m going to work for my previous company through a temp agency for a lot less pay until I find something. I guess that’s better than being unemployed.
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u/West-Mortgage9334 Jul 12 '25
That's good that they're willing to give a good referral, a lot of companies don't want to be bothered.....and yes definitely keep working, because remember, experience trumps everything.....even college degrees.
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u/Leona_Faye_ Construction Jul 11 '25
Frankly, I think that a layoff is the mark of a good Safety. It means you stood up to someone regardless of clout.
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u/13mys13 Jul 11 '25
if you aren't already, get active in your local assp. it's a great way to network and a good way to find out/figure out where the openings are and will soon be. also, it's a great way to figure out what companies are good to work for and, more importantly, which ones to stay away from.
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u/veggie_lauren Jul 11 '25
Thank you! I’ll look into this!
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u/13mys13 Jul 11 '25
what area are you located in? in some more densely populated areas there are multiple chapters and figuring out which one aligns more with your experience and/or career goals could help, even if it's a neighboring chapter and not your "home" chapter based on your residence.
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u/twerp66 Jul 11 '25
x mod goes down, all of a sudden they dont need you. this is one example of how safety is looked at. temporary until we right the ship, then we walk the plank.
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u/veggie_lauren Jul 11 '25
Yep! They already cut marketing and some other sales lead coordinator position. It would be different if I hated the job but I really loved it there.
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u/LikeBoom Jul 11 '25
Fuck that place. Good on you for caring about your coworkers beyond the pay. You will find somewhere that values you and safety.
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u/TheGreatChode Jul 11 '25
I'm really sorry to hear that. Something I've done to increase my value to companies. I've leveraged my previous manufacturing experience and skills in my current position. On top of being our Safety & Lean Supervisor, I'm also playing a large part in Quality initiatives. A Safety Professional is great, but a safety professional who can eliminate waste, increase efficiency, improve quality, find cost savings opportunities etc is even better. Purdue has some excellent six sigma courses and Lean Practitioner courses. I really think they go hand in hand and companies really value that knowledge. Could help in the future.
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u/Future_chicken357 Jul 11 '25
Sorry for this, but how many others were laid off? Sadly this isn't new, no different than companies letting go the marketing people and then ask, why arent we selling? haha, let go the safety person and when the gavel drops they have to explain why they let a safety official go unless they do not prioritize workers safety. Keep record of all your compliments, notes and off to the next mission to conquer.
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u/veggie_lauren Jul 11 '25
So about a month ago they let go of a marketing person then last week an online sales lead person, then me. So I’m sure there’s more to come.
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u/Sensitive-Respect-25 Jul 11 '25
At my prior job in manufacturing we had a new safety manager every 3 years. The first year they saw how shifty the company was towards worker safety and implement changes. The next year they would just start to see changes happen, and then they get axed when things take a hair longer to do right (even though quality improved at the same time). A year goes by with faster is better being the rhetoric and finally upper management gets told by corporate to hire a new one.
We poor workers kinda liked that 2nd year. Was nice to not worry about losing a thumb and being told to get back to work and just walk it off.
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u/veggie_lauren Jul 12 '25
Yeah I’m pretty worried about all the technicians there. There is no safety person at all now. I was getting compliments all the time from them about how it’s been a better place to work because of the changes I made and because I listen to them. I was just about to hit my one year anniversary there.
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u/Several-Advice8762 Jul 12 '25
There is some LNG projects that’s recently popped up. Check them out on LinkedIn. They may be looking to hire. Good luck.
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u/A347263 Jul 14 '25 edited Jul 14 '25
After 20 years as the EHS project manager in healthcare, I, too, got laid off. I have 36 years of experience in the safety field altogether. Worked in manufacturing and healthcare with great results. Never ever imagined that it would take me 8 months to finally get an offer. Rewrote my resume a bunch of times along with my cover letters. Only 9 interviews from nearly 100 companies I applied for. 51% of these companies never ever replied to me. 49% replied with the same template for rejection. I had over the phone, virtual, and in person interviews. Some companies even introduced me to management and staff, paraded me throughout their facilities, and then, either no replies or the typical rejection email. The job market for safety professionals has declined drastically along with the salaries offered. I had to take the only offer that was made to me with a $15,000 annual pay cut compared to my last job. Don't get discouraged. Reinvent yourselves. Upgrade and rewrite your resumes and cover letters. DO NOT GIVE UP!
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u/dk0179 Jul 10 '25
While it is still fresh in your mind, document those wins and changes as well as the feedback you got from people. It will help you move on and give you good ammo for interviews because a lot safety is ‘well what have you done’. Also this sucks, but I’ve been thru 7 companies, and stuff fails. Also a company that doesn’t value safety, which they don’t, is more likely to have problems, so as hard as it may be to see it, this could be a win. You made changes, got good feedback, and got out before something stupid happens.