FOGLO
Is an expression that refers to the fear employees feel of losing their jobs, also known as layoff anxiety. This phenomenon became more evident during times of economic crisis and corporate restructuring — especially after the pandemic, which deeply affected the global job market.
This type of anxiety can create a cycle of insecurity and constant worry, where even unexpected meetings with managers are seen with apprehension, as potential signals of termination.
Such feelings not only affect an employee’s emotional well-being, but also their productivity, focus, and motivation at work. Layoff anxiety may have long-lasting effects — even on those who have already experienced a job loss and found new employment. The memory of instability remains, often generating a persistent sense of vulnerability in the workplace.
Author: Soraia Luana Reis →
Additional Insight by dMix Brazil
In recent years, FOGLO has become one of the silent factors behind burnout and high turnover rates in corporate environments.
According to a 2024 Gallup report, more than 41% of professionals globally say they have experienced job-related anxiety due to fear of being laid off — a percentage that has doubled compared to pre-pandemic years.
Companies that wish to maintain strong teams and a healthy organizational culture must now focus on psychological safety and transparent communication. When leaders adopt openness and empathy — explaining business decisions clearly and involving employees in the process — the feeling of control and trust returns.
As business strategist Soraia Luana Reis emphasizes in her leadership programs, emotional intelligence has become a strategic competence, not a soft skill. “When people feel safe, they perform better, innovate more, and commit to long-term goals,” she notes.
