How to recover after being retrenched

This is largely due to retrenchments by SA companies. CEO of Quest Staffing Solutions, South Africa’s leader in customised staffing solutions within the white-collar recruitment industry, Kay Vittee says, “In the current economic climate, many businesses are constrained in terms of their growth and often need to reduce their expenses in various ways.

“With salaries a constant drain on gross profit, cutting down on the size of the workforce can ease this financial burden for companies battling to turn a decent profit due to economic circumstances.

“While a company may be cutting down on some of their costs by retrenching staff, in so doing they are slashing an employee’s income completely. This is exacerbated when one considers that every working person in South Africa supports themselves and an average of three people.

“Retrenchments can also have adverse physical health and psychological consequences.”

Vittee says possible physical outcomes for people wrestling with financial pressure and the pressing need to find work are burnout, disturbed sleep and depression. “On top of that, losing one’s job brings with it the process of grief,” adds Vittee.

“It also deeply affects one’s self-identity and, as result, one’s self-esteem.

“Just think about how often we find ourselves asking someone what job they do as a way to find out more about them.

“For many people, their job is a way to describe themselves and is a measure of their self-worth.”

To help people recover from the negative consequences associated with retrenchment and get back into the workforce, Vittee offers the following advice:

Be honest about your retrenchment with those around you.

Don’t waste your time questioning why you, and not someone else, were retrenched.

Don’t blame yourself.

Use this opportunity to further your skills. If finances allow, why not register for a course or trade. Alternatively, volunteer your services in areas where you may be able to learn a new skill

Get your CV up to date as soon as possible, create a profile on the Quest website and start your job search straightaway. The longer someone is without work, the harder it is for them to find employment

Apply for as many jobs as possible for which you have the required skills

Get a reference from the company that retrenched you that describes their reasons for retrenchment. Ask them to highlight the value you added to the organisation.

“Retrenching companies can also help retrenchees by helping to identify possible alternative employment opportunities and giving them time off to go to interviews and talk to potential employers. They could also offer some form of professional counselling,” says Vittee.

“Unfortunately, retrenchments are a reality but you don’t have to let it get you down. Get out there and find yourself a great new job.”