No regrets? An investigation of the relationship between being laid off and experiencing career regrets

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to explore the under‐examined topic of career regrets. Although much of the careers literature has examined factors that contribute to success, little research has been completed on the regrets individuals may experience as they enact their careers. Design/methodology/approach – A large internet sample of 1,480 professionals was used to examine whether individuals who had been laid off in their careers experienced greater career regrets. Findings – Individuals who had been laid off experienced greater regrets with regard to their political behavior (e.g. lack of networking, not being more politically savvy) and their career choices (e.g. not spending more time with their family, failing to pursue more meaningful work) than individuals who had not been laid off. Research limitations/implications – The findings may have limited generalizability because of the use of a cross‐sectional, internet‐based survey design. Practical implications – The regrets individuals have may influence their future career behaviors and choices, resulting in different approaches to their work and their lives. These findings may offer some insights to help individuals navigate their careers and make choices that they will be less likely to regret. Originality/value – Although a great deal of research has focused on strategies for career success, relatively little research has examined career missteps or career regrets. It is hoped this exploratory research encourages further study as well as the development of a theory‐based model of career regrets.