Friday, May 04, 2012

Job security no longer exists


The last sentence in today's letter to the editor says it all, “Be prepared for all eventualities as no job is secure in this globalised world that we live in today.” To reiterate, no one is indispensable unless if I'm not mistaken he works as a civil servant. I have not heard of any lay-offs from the public sector. The ones that have been dismissed from their jobs in the public sector have done something so terrible that their transgression could not be overlooked and out of the door they go.

Unfortunately for the rest of us who work in the private sector, we have to be on our toes all the time. We may be exemplary workers, dedicated to the company, putting in extra hours and efforts to make it a success but when it comes to the bottom line, the ringgit and cents, if we are unwanted, nothing can be done. Sayonara!!!

So what do we do? Follow the Scout motto, be prepared and we should at least not be too shocked if we are asked to leave. Keep your ears and eyes open for any news or even rumours on your company's future direction. It might be a target for a merger or acquisition and be prepared for bad news. Those most vulnerable would be the ones in their 40s as they have reached a certain age of experience and drawing quite a big amount in salary. Would the new management retain or replace them when the time comes?

However nice or sympathetic your current management might be, they could be powerless in making decisions in the new set-up. There will always be new ideas and systems to implement once the takeover becomes a reality, so it might be best for everyone concerned if the affected employee moves on to another company. No hard feelings of course. It is just a practical solution.

This might be the opportune time to expand your horizons and discover something new. There may be pleasant surprises in store at your new place but of course it might come out worse too. At least you tried.

Image from franchisefutures

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