In October, the Global Financial Crisis became personal. My “secure” government job was no more. My position was made redundant (Note that I said my POSITION was made redundant—not ME personally! It’s an important difference).
It was a huge shock.
When I arrived at work on that fateful Wednesday morning, there was a calendar booking from one of the Managers waiting in my inbox, along with the message that if I had anything else planned for that particular time, to re-schedule as this meeting was to be my priority.
My heart sank. I knew what this meant … only the week before, out of the blue, 5 members of another department had been “let go” without any warning.
In the meeting I sat in shock as I was told my position was now superfluous to the organisation’s requirements, and what this would mean to me personally. Like a broken record my mind repeated over and over again: This can’t be happening to me. Quickly followed by: Don’tcrydon’tcrydon’tcrydon’tcry … damn too late.
It wasn’t just the loss of income. To say I loved my job was probably a bit of an over-statement – does anybody REALLY love their job? But I definitely liked it. A lot. Ever since I’d first read the ad 7 years earlier, I’d known it was a perfect match for me: a blend of admin tasks, working with the community, and producing newsletters. What wasn’t to like?!
I enjoyed supporting the other members of my team and making sure that things in the office ran smoothly. I took pride in my ability to provide people with exactly the information they needed, in the newsletters and other bulletins I produced. I knew I provided good customer service; I had developed an excellent relationship and reputation with both internal and external stakeholders. I might have been “just an admin” but by golly I was the best darn admin I could be!
My redundancy made me feel that the powers-that-be did not value my work, my skills, my experience, my talents. I was devastated.
That was 5 months ago.
Since then, my life has COMPLETELY changed (but that’s a story for another time!).
The fact that I had absolutely no control over this event and it was not of my choosing, has made it more of a challenge.
I’ve had good days and bad days. Good days where I enjoy my new found freedom – especially on the looooong summer holidays when I was able to be around for my teenagers. I’ve also realised I was actually pretty bored in my job, and now each day there is something new and different.
Then there are the bad days. Moments when I wonder what on earth I am doing with my life. A few tears, as I long for things to be the way they used to be.
Fortunately as time goes by (and with the loving support of my hubster, family, and a good psychologist), the bad days are becoming more infrequent, and the good days are multiplying!
Is your job “safe”? Have you or your partner ever been made redundant? Do you have any tips to share?
I have never been made redundant, but at the same time I think I can empathise with the feeling of aimlessness that might accompany something like that. I’m 28, I have no career, I can’t work right now because of family commitments and some complications from my last pregnancy that have left me unable to stand (or sit, or walk, or anything really) for long periods of time. I feel sometimes like I have no direction, no avenue for my talents, if indeed I have any because sometimes I wonder!
I’m sure with your skills and experience, should you decide to reenter the workforce, you’ll do well! Certainly you have great written expression!!
Thank you so much Cass xxx
Life can be so unpredictable. Im hoping that something absolutely amazing happens to make this all seen as it were meant to be! xxxxx
Thanks Leigh! In my better moments it does feel like good things are happening 🙂 …
Oh Janet I’m sorry this happened 🙁
Last year when I was still on mat leave I got ‘that’ phone call too! Lucky for me I got a good redundancy package and have been offered 2 days a week on a contract in a different position at the same place, but it has still been very very destabilising.
Wishing you all the luck in your new blogging career!!!!!!
Hi Sarah, I’m sure there’s plenty of others out there too. Like you, I was fortunate to get a good package to tide us over. I am now carving out my own business (& yes blogging is part of that) but it’s a whole different world for me!
I also experienced this when I was on Maternity leave. I was heart broken and it took me years to get over. Now looking back it was the best thing for me and it meant I could spend the more time with my kids. It sucks though! Glad you have a good support network around you.
Thanks Nico, yes I am pretty sure that in years to come I will look back and see that this has been a blessing in disguise!
I don’t really work at the moment and in the teaching game with student numbers going up and down there is always a risk of being transferred or made part time – just because you were the last on or something similar.
But I always see things as new challenges and giving me a new chance to try something different.
Good luck with what ever you choose.
Annaleis – Blogs and PR Team Member
That’s what I’m hoping Annaleis!
I was made redundant in the UK when the GFC hit a few years back.. I was moved from office to office… then decided to take up the redundancy.. and moved back to Perth to have my children 🙂
visiting from Blogs and PR #TUST!
It’s taken a bit longer for the GFC to hit our shores I think 😉
It would have been such a shock and worry Janet. I had something similar happen to me. I believe things happen for a reason though. One door closes and another one opens. Now you have the opportunity to try something different, new and exciting…and you are! Redland City Living is doing so well. I wish you all the luck and success in the world. Min xo
Thanks Min – and it means I’m meeting some lovely new people – like you!
Thank you for sharing your experiences/feelings via such an honest and very personal post.
I’ve never been made redundant before but I’ve had the same question in my head from time to time, which says a lot as I’ve been working at the same place for the past 5 years!
I think it’s a very important distinction that you made above, between the person and the position, and I think it’s not that they didn’t need/appreciate you but more they just had to cut costs and so, unfortunately, hard decisions had to be made.
It’s a sad fact in present times that loyalty is just not rewarded!
I do hope that things improve for you, all things (even the bad ones) do come to an end, and I hope you find a wonderful job that challenges you and gives you great satisfaction!
P.S. Found you through blogs and PR but will definitely be visiting again!
xx
Thank you so much for your kind words – I look forward to having you visit my little corner of the web again!
Everyone thinks the weekends and holidays must be the worst, when everyone else is not working. But the worst is Monday morning – when everyone else is up and about with a purpose, and I am aimless and faced with logging onto Seek for the 55th time.
This is the second time for me in 4 years. I have lost all confidence and all trust. I go for roles that I know I can do (because I did them 6 years ago), only to be filtered out by some 25 year old recruiter with no life experience because I am “over qualified”.
I know a recruiter who is a patron of a charity that purports to help long term unemployed get back into the work force. He won’t put me forward for any roles! No wonder I’m cynical.
Shout out if you think I should start a site that actually helps people like me get back on their feet.
Wow, I feel for you Bill. Twice in four years; that sucks. I must confess, I’m kinda glad I started my own business so I didn’t have to jump through all the hoops of the recruitment process again, it definitely gets harder as you get older 🙁 .