Redundancy is more than losing your job – it attacks your identity
With the media and marketing industry plagued with redundancies, and more to come, we need to get better at coping with the sense of grief and worthlessness that can come from losing your job, explains Simon Rountree.
The media and marketing industry has experienced a slew of redundancies recently, with roles at some of Australia’s biggest brands disappearing. Earlier this month, REA Group restructured with around 60 redundancies, and in the past few months alone, News Corp made “around 50” people redundant, Nine made a “handful” of redundancies, five were made redundant at media agency Ikon, and the Dentsu Aegis Network continues to undergo a restructure that involves redundancies. And research states that, in the past decade, as many as 3,000 local journalism jobs have been lost.
So, what happens when we’re made redundant? We live in a world where the benefits of work go beyond just doing a job. Many of us invest ourselves within the roles we undertake and the businesses we work for, and are stimulated by the social, learning, career and economic opportunities that come from this. When we’re made redundant, this is a direct attack that severs our sense of control over our lives.
Statistics show the average human spends just under 80 years on earth, 13 years and two months of which are spent at work – and more than 11 years looking at screens – compared to just one year and three days socialising.
This is great, thank you
It’s a gut wrenching time, a punch in the stomach that truly takes the winds out of your sails. But life will move on and doors will open and hopefully the role you find next is better because you have have a greater understanding of what you don’t like or won’t do. Great words Simon,
I totally agree. The door that opened for me was a great opportunity that I would never have had if I wasn’t made redundant.
As someone whose role was recently made redundant, I know how devastating it can be – especially if you’ve been a long-serving, loyal and hardworking employee. That said, it can also be a blessing in disguise. Try to stay positive, and open to the unknown. The next job you land could be even better. It might even take you in a new direction that you hadn’t considered but turns out to be perfect for you. While you might not have been ready to part ways with your former employer, they may have done you a favour. You don’t want to work for people who can’t manage their business properly. Take time out to regroup, and then give your skills, expertise and talent to a deserving employer.
Stop defining who you are by what you do and your identity wont be so fragile
It’s easier said than done! It wasn’t until I was made redundant that I realised I was not defined as person by my job or career.
I spent 5 months out of the workforce and became a full time mum and don’t regret a moment. It made me see life a different way. It was timely and all meant to be.
Now I am back in a workforce in a different part of the industry and embracing all learning I can learn everyday.
Life is great when your grateful for what it serves you.
My take on this, companies should focus more on organization planning to limit redundancies. Future proofing or future planning does not happen much in the media scene. Often you see Media Agencies hiring for the sake of hiring, or hiring to trial out a role and when all fails, people are made redundant.
Also, companies rather focus on ‘RUOK; day which is one day in a year, rather than employees overall wellbeing. I was made redundant and it took a massive toll on me.
Anyway, thank you for sharing. This is a wonderful piece.
Agreed!
Focus on finding ways to retain people, rather than the after effects of redundancies.
Media Agencies must have a backup plan for business losses etc.
I have been made redundant twice in my 25 year career. Both times were extremely positive for me. I took time out, I reflected, I rested and I decided what to do next, without jumping out if the frying pan and into the fire.
I was genuinely surprised at how callous the HR director was at my exit interview.
She said that it was “Just business”.
Probably not the best way to handle your Human Resources.
I wonder if you were dealing with an ‘HR Business Partner’? It’s a job title that suggests where the HR person’s loyalties lie.