Did you know in most cases your employer can fire you at any time, without cause? Are you prepared if you get fired, terminated or need to quit? Would you feel helpless and would your life be a state of emergency if your job suddenly ended? Would your health, family and well-being be at risk?

I completely understand. Losing your job can come out of the blue and it's never easy.

Wouldn't it be better to be prepared for any eventuality by understanding your alternatives, knowing what you must do immediately if you get fired and what can wait? Don't you think it would make you more powerful if you could kiss your job goodbye whenever you wanted without concern?

The Fear of Termination I understand what it's like to live in constant fear of being fired or laid off. it's an unfortunate fact of life that many bosses use the threat of termination to remain in control. Unfortunately, using fear in this manner is prevalent in our society. It causes employees to be afraid and doubt themselves, and gives businesses reason to deny them them good raises and promotions as well as to maintain control.

For years, I was afraid of losing my job. My employers often belittled my achievements, wrote snarling comments in reviews, or denied well-deserved raises and promotions. I held on in spite of the constant stress and pressure, the screaming and yelling, and the demands for unpaid work and overtime.

As with many employees, this put extreme stress on my family life (which was often non-existent) and caused health problems related to Stressand Tension. As the yearly review came due, the question on everyone's mind was whether or not they'd still be employed in the next month.

On those occasions when the hammer fell, it was devastating. Sure, my boss always said the employee should never be surprised by a firing decision, but every single time I had to let someone go, it came as horrible shock to them, completely unexpected and they always felt it was undeserved.

Understand Your Alternatives I learned how to prepare by understanding my alternatives, knowing the legalities, and ensuring I had enough money and resources to survive without a job for enough time to find a new one.

• Understand what you must do on the day you quit or get fired.
• Learn that you must change your life to be ready for any eventuality.
• Stop being afraid of your employer and turn the tables on them.
• Find out where you can get the help you need.
• Handle the most important insurances.
• Work your network like crazy