Changes in the regular rhythms of how your workplace operates that put you out of step with your co-workers are a dead giveaway management is considering letting you go, Kane says.
A classic example is a disruption in the timing of performance reviews that seems to apply only to you, Kane says. Often, companies will try to avoid doing a performance review if they're considering terminating an individual because a positive review could give employees ammunition in a wrongful termination suit. Getting a performance review earlier than your co-workers also can be a bad sign, as the company may be trying to build a case against you as a worker, he says.
Employees on the bubble also may see raises or bonuses delayed by employers to save money and to avoid giving any overt sign your performance is satisfactory.
How to fight back: Don't wait for a performance review. Instead, ask your supervisor regularly for honest feedback on your job performance, Kane says. Not only will that make it tougher to justify letting you go, but it may address whatever problem an employer might have with you in the first place.