A regular employment update from Kinetic Recruitment.
It's good to see all the positive headlines in the media these days - finally. Even if it's slow growth, at least its growth and for all of our mental state it has a positive effect.
As we have moved out of the recession I thought it would be interesting for you all to read about a variety of individuals who have gone through one of the most stressful work related years and how they feel about it now. Below is a mix of clients and candidates who have openly and honestly given feedback on their own personal situations.
Candidate: Megan - made redundant.
"It was really scary and unexpected, we could see it happening to clients and being a Manager I could see we were about to go through the same thing. I was probably ready for a change, but this was so final. It has been hard to find work and it's been a very disheartening struggle at times. I tried to keep my redundancy low key and stay calm, because I had been through it before. I felt the company that made us redundant did a shocking job, there was no communication and everyone was left in the dark. I was personally left to tell my team and then I was made redundant on the way out. No support was given or offered. Upon reflection, I don't think I could have done anything different; it was out of my control. I believe I maintained professionalism. One piece of advice I would offer anyone going through this is hold your head high and don't burn bridges."
Client: Ashley - large international organisation.
"Our business has definitely consolidated as a consequence of the recession; however I believe we are actually running a much smarter more efficient business as a result. For the most part, I feel the recession has had a positive affect on the business and employees. As an employer, what has stood out over the past 12 months has been how the people seem to be valuing their positions and the company they work for more, perhaps appreciating how fortunate they are to have a job. As a result of this and a tighter labour market, our business has had much less natural attrition over the past 12 months. What's also exciting is seeing people diversifying their skills and transitioning into different areas of their current employment and/or seeking alternative positions promoting a broader range of their skills and ability. Personally I think we're going to see much smarter more efficient businesses going forward with good quality employees utilising a broader range of diversified skills and less pigeon-holing of stereotypical roles."
Candidate: Jo - made redundant
"I would like to think I was somewhat prepared in that a good friend of mine was made redundant a few months prior and that really brought the recession home for me. As well as that, I suspected it was on the cards for a while with the downturn of the economy and my role becoming quieter. One the day I was made redundant I was pretty numb and all the normal worries going through my mind, mostly money. I took time out to process the information and what it actually meant to me. It was times like this I was grateful to have no dependants or mortgage to service - I really feel for those people who do.
My team was pretty good when I went back to work out my notice, some of my colleagues sent me emails saying they would set me up with contacts or networks they had. After I finished up at work it was hard for a while. You are not sure where your next dollar is coming from. I had a few interviews but got pipped at the post, there was a lot of competition and so going from going for a role and literally knowing the job is yours to this, it was pretty hard to take.
I started to get really worried about week 4, nothing was on the horizon. I could see jobs out there, but it was a matter of matching my skill set and with so much competition you had to be really targeted. I was lucky that around this time recruitment agencies started calling me with temp work.
Through this time I was very lucky to have a good network of friends and family who helped me, I think if I did not have that I could have fallen into a state of depression.
I have now thankfully secured some long term contract roles and I am feeling a lot better about life. The work has exposed me to new contacts and a few new systems that I wouldn't have experienced in my previous role.
I feel I have handled this entire situation the best way I could. I'd like to think it was not an easy decision for my past employer to make, and it was a reflection of the times. After all they are in business, not a charity. Looking back I don't feel in any way that being made redundant these days is necessarily the death knell of decades past, like most things in life it's all about your attitude."
Client: Matthew - International Organisation
"Volume of sales is down 20 per cent year ending March 2009 when compared to the previous years. We have not laid off any staff but also have not replaced the ones who left of their own accord. We had, like most businesses anticipated a slowdown for some time and had worked hard at reducing overheads, increasing efficiencies, staying very close to our people and generally structuring things for a lower volume of business.
However for the first 5 months of this financial year sales volumes are up 25 per cent on corresponding periods of 12 months ago and although that growth is off a fairly low base, it is positive and gives cause for modest confidence as to the market in the short to medium term. We believe we know what we are dealing with in terms of current market dynamics and have the confidence now to put in place some firm actions aimed at growing the business.
Those companies that have survived reasonably intact over the last 18 months are probably well positioned to enjoy the growth opportunities. We do believe however that the lessons learned over this recession will need to be heeded on an ongoing basis as improvements in the market are unlikely to get things back to where they where in the 2003 - 2007 period. The Reserve Bank will see to that and probably rightly so!"
Candidate: Jessica - made redundant
"When I first heard I was up for redundancy I was completely shocked. I wasn't expecting it; no one knew that the company was struggling. I could not work out why I was one of the ones chosen as I was one of the longest standing employees. The shock turned to anger which in turn turned to hurt and then stress all in about 30 seconds.
At home I would be watching TV and just burst into tears. Small things would set me off and I was just so lucky to have a lot of very supportive friends and family. I can totally understand how someone with less confidence and/or support would get themselves into a really bad state. It also distressed me to see others in the same state on the verge of tears.
I feel my situation was a bit different, I was singled out, I had more experience and knowledge, and it was a kick in the guts. I had shown them so much loyalty.
They did follow the correct process and treated me fairly and with respect. I do have questions I want to ask and can only make assumptions which don't really help. I still feel low each day and often have that lump in my throat that just won't go away.
Even though the process is over, I still feel hurt and angry as no apology from the company was forthcoming. However I am taking the steps within myself to be positive. I know that the current team morale of the company I worked for is very low; employees need to know one way or another so that they can get on with their lives.
I think they could have saved themselves and the employees a lot of pain if they had known the correct process before starting.
I feel that some respect for employees and a bit of empathy would have gone a long way.
Direct contact and speaking to employees rather than emailing everything they want to communicate would also have softened the hard feelings. People can read so much into an email and it has its place, but is not a good tool to use when emotions are involved.
Sometimes I think people just need to sit down and talk things out. This is obviously a bit hard to do while the process is happening due to legal issues that could arise. However I feel that if someone had sat down and talked to me after the process was over, and if they had explained things and given me the opportunity to ask all my questions, it would really pave the way to a brighter and better work environment.
It hasn't always been bad and the trust and loyalty employees build up with an employer over the years may still be able to be saved."
Client: Stuart - International Organisation
"We have seen some drop off in business activity and therefore income but probably not to the extent we envisaged it may do. Staffing wise there has been little change. We have not increased our headcount or introduced any new roles and are minimizing any use of temporary / contract staff. Staff morale wise I believe there has been a level of nervousness in regard to possible downsizing, which we have not embarked upon, and the buoyancy of the market place regarding opportunities for alternative employment.
Certainly I feel more optimistic now than 12 months ago. While I concede there are people that have been adversely affected I think by and large New Zealand has been impacted to a far lesser degree than the global market. At first I thought it was just that the "wave" had not reached us, but now I believe it is simply that New Zealand was not as exposed.
I also believe that some organisations have exploited the situation and rather than trying to tough it out or being more innovative in getting through have taken an easier option of culling staff.
I think the next six months will still be challenging. Very few organisations will be brave to categorically say the recession is over and aggressively hit the market, I expect them to be cautious until there is sustained stability if not positive growth. I do think that the latter half of 2010 will be stronger than the first. My biggest concern however is whether the market learns anything from the past 12 months. The recession, I believe was fundamentally fueled by greed and some of the emerging signs are unfortunately suggesting a return to some of the practices and fat cat mindset that got us where we are today."
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Reading over these stories, especially the accounts of people who have been made redundant, it is easy to feel the emotion and hurt these people have experienced. Deep down, they all understand the reasons for why they were made redundant, as they are logical, bright and capable people. But what I feel they wanted was for it to be well communicated to them, and to be given the respect everyone deserves. - Kate
* Names of individuals and companies have been edited for privacy reasons.
* Kate Ross is director of Kinetic Recruitment, school leaver career search company whr24u and the Return2work programme.
