There’s no escaping that a lot of public sector communicators are worried about their futures right now.
In England, swathes of local government are looking to merge which may mean smaller looking organisations. In addition, UK Government has announced plans to scrap NHS England and make a series of changes. Arms length bodies may be next under the microscope.
When I was 21, in my first job within two weeks the newspaper I was working on got put up for sale and everyone was told their jobs were now at risk. This was a learning curve for working in local government.
In all this turbulence, I thought I’d offer some advice from my own experience. This is purely my own experience rather than legal advice and if you are in any doubt seek independent advice.
Speaking of which…
Join a union
A union knows the law backwards and can give you clear advice. They can represent you and sit in on meetings with you. They are an insurance policy against bad employers. My first experience of this on a newspaper was the printer’s union rep making mincemeat of plans made up on the back of an envelope which were illegal.
I’ve been a member of the NUJ for 30 years and I wouldn’t leave home without it. This TUC union finder may come in handy. If you are already in a process this may be too late.
Oh, and a reminder, HR aren’t there for you. In fact, you are the last people they are for.
Stop listening to rumour
This is tricky because it’s a natural reaction to want to try and have your ear to the ground. However, by doing just that you’ll end up listening to a load of dog mess.
Every time I’ve seen this play out, following rumour has been tiring, time-consuming and unproductive.
Understand the process
The employer has a duty to communicate with you. Read up on what that is and what their responsibilities are. This summary on the ACAS website on what to do if you are facing redundancy is useful.
Get it in writing
It’s useful just to summarise your understanding of that meeting by emailing the person you met with with a recap. This can also capture a point that may have been made. They are keeping a written record on your file? Great. So are you.
Think of what’s best for you
As someone once said, if you want loyalty buy a dog. They’ll be the most loyal pal you can imagine. Don’t expect loyalty from your employer because it’s unlikely to happen. No accountant decided to keep someone on because they worked late that time.
Seek someone removed from the process
If you have a network of friends or relatives now is the time to lean on them a little. People away from your work colleagues or immediate family are the best people for this. They’re not being directly affected by what’s coming down the track.
Chat to work colleagues and you may find yourself talking to people who may end up going for the same job as you.
Whatever happens
Whatever the outcome, it’s unlikely to be the end of the road for you in life. There will be other things that you can do whether you depart for pastures new or stay where you are. There will be new things to learn and new skills to acquire.
If you go, go with good grace without burning bridges. You’d be surprised how paths cross and while that TikTok of you working your notice dressed in a clown’s outfit ‘just to fit in’ may be good for clicks in the short term it may fluff up the soul of your shoe further down the line.
So many of the skills you have are transferable and you can pack-up and take with you. In six months time I’ve ever confidence you’ll be sat somewhere better relieved that all this happened.
Picture credit: By Holy Island – 1983 by Helmut Zozmann, CC BY-SA 2.0.