Unless you have been living under a rock or are in total denial, you have probably read every bit of unemployment news that you could put your hands on. You have sat, glued to the television as the reporters report about the dire situation of the economy. Your first thought is that a layoff could probably never happen to you. Or could it?

The economy is currently in a freefall, with no end to the pain in sight. Even as the numbers start to level out, we wonder if we can really rely on the unemployment figures. Have people just run out of benefits or have they simply stopped looking for a job? Whatever may be the case, you’re probably feeling pretty invincible by now. You have been at your job for at least two decades. You have built a career from scratch. You have the education, talent and skills that make you indispensable to the company. But wait…just when you thought you were safe from the chaos; you have just been informed that you will laid off. How could this happen? You were one of the good people, the star of the organization, next in line for a coveted promotion. Layoffs don’t happen to good people, or do they?

Contrary to what you may believe, layoffs can happen to anyone. Major corporations lay off just as quickly as the small mom and pop shops. What you need to realize is that a layoff can forever change your life. Getting laid off affects not only your career, but also your finances, self-esteem, both your physical and mental health, it may even have legal ramifications. Being laid off definitely has an affect on your family. It may also affect your children’s future as well. The effects of being laid off reach further then your actions and emotions on day one of your unemployment.

Through the chaos of being laid off, it’s important to remember that nothing in life is an absolute guarantee. While you may have spent your entire career building an empire, one small movement of the economy to the left or right can bring your carefully constructed stack of cards to a tumble in less then a minute, even if you are one of the good people.

What can you do? Chances are you know someone who is unemployed, either a friend or family member. If you’re feeling overwhelmed by the thought of the major life change that being laid off will cause; reach out to others that are in the same predicament. What you will discover is that not only are retail employees laid off, but there are CEO’s that are still unemployed or are working at a fast food restaurant just to pay the bills. You will find that you are not alone in the situation. You will also learn that being laid off does happen to good people.