Member's Story
The effect of redundancy.
Another day at the Office !!
It was just another day at the office, however, at 5 pm that day I was told that unfortunately due to the downturn in business my post was no longer required. I was made redundant with immediate effect. I was devastated. I knew that business was slack but I thought that I had enough work to keep me going and also that my services were valued. How wrong were my thoughts!
I left work that night, arranging to go back in the following morning to officially “hand over” my files and to collect my personal belongings. That was hard.
I am one of the lucky ones, my employer paid me for my holidays due to me, time in lieu of notice and redundancy but it means nothing when you cannot get another job.
I am now unemployed for the first time in my life and actively looking for work – along with the hundreds of other paralegals and associated staff who have experienced the same situation. I have registered with a several agencies who have said that they have lots of paralegals and secretaries now on their books with no jobs for them. I have been advised by more than one agency that they are being selective in who they will register as jobs are so scarce. I have given up calling them as they just say the same old thing – there are no jobs.
One difficulty I am finding is that when a prospective employer sees your qualifications, experience and skills, they immediately assume that when the property market resurrects itself you will upsticks and move back into that area. I have lots of diverse skills but it is still very difficult to find work. While my paralegal qualification is in conveyancing, I have lots of other very valuable skills. If only an employer would give me a chance - even an interview. I have applied for at least half a dozen jobs in other fields but do not even get to the interview stage. It is disheartening but I mustn't give up hope as I am sure that one of my applications will be successful.
I have not worked since June and since then I have had one two week placement through an agency. My savings are running done. I have no income at all but I still have bills to pay.
I am sure that I am not alone as there will be many more of you experiencing a similar plight
This article in for all of you out there in the same situation - to let you know that you are not alone. There are many of us looking for work.
GOOD LUCK
Sandra - a fellow unemployed Paralegal and SPA Committee Member
P.S. If you want to share your story or have anything to say then please feel free to contact me on 07766 015632 or by email: r.j.reid@btinternet.com