The R Word

Its been a tough week at work. Found out that a number of my work colleagues are to be made redundant. These are Cat dealer people that I've worked with since I changed jobs at the start of the year. Not that long but still its tough. Especially since I know how hard some of them have worked, how they've got families to support etc. Sometimes it seems like there's not a whole lot of justice when it comes to redundancies. Some of the hardest workers lose their jobs while slackers slip under the radar, not noticed.

10 years ago I went through this when I lost my sales job- first job after uni. It was a total shock to the system. Came in on a Friday morning and without warning I was hauled into a room and read out a letter to the effect that "there was a risk that your position could be made redundant." You feel angry, bitter, confused, worried, indignant, helpless and even bemused (can this really be happening) to name just a few of the emotions. Even though it turned out to be one of the best things that's happened to me in my work life (forcing a career change to get out of sales), it not an experience I'd wish on anyone (obviously). On the other hand, if you're going to look for positives (and you do need to look for positives), it does give you a reality check. From the big questions (What am I doing with my life?) to the little observations (why did I act like my office cubicle was an extension of my home?).

So, this has got me thinking a little about what I might do if this happens to me again. This time its a litle different. I have 2 kids (fortunately not yet going to school) and arguably fewer options. Would I re-train? Could I find a job in the current economic climate? Could I go and drop out for a couple of years and come back when the economy is more stable? These days you barely blink at the news that another 5000 people are going to lose their jobs. Yet these are people with families, kids to support, bills to pay, entire communities being devastated. How can we be so complacent? I guess we sort of switch into self-preservation mode. As long as it doesn't happen to me... While this is totally natural its also a terrible indictment of our society, how egocentic it has made us.

Conclusions? Only that while all this is going on I need to do everything I can to help those around me. Also, probably need to focus less on work and more on the things that matter- like spending time with family vs. living to work.