This may come across as naive, but it's my personal policy: be honest. Especially if you want to keep the job. A "web of lies" is difficult to maintain and only adds stress to an already stressful situation.
If it lands them in unemployment it was likely inevitable in the short term anyway.
As soon as "that feeling" starts, best to keep up with the local job market and be ready to fire off job applications at a moments notice, especially if the money is needed.
As regards to maintaining output in mundane work, I think churn is just 'the cost of doing business'. There's always new as-yet-un-jaded graduates making their way into the jobs market.
If it lands them in unemployment it was likely inevitable in the short term anyway.
As soon as "that feeling" starts, best to keep up with the local job market and be ready to fire off job applications at a moments notice, especially if the money is needed.
As regards to maintaining output in mundane work, I think churn is just 'the cost of doing business'. There's always new as-yet-un-jaded graduates making their way into the jobs market.