Over the past few months since the Covid19 pandemic hit the UK shores, we have seen changes to our employment sector the likes of which have never been experienced before.
Hundreds of thousands of UK workers were sent home to work as the lockdown was enforced in March 2020, but those who were not able to work from home or who were not front-liners or keyworkers; were furloughed.
The UK furlough scheme implemented by the UK Government has enabled millions of UK workers to keep their jobs through the first 3 months of the lockdown. The system put in place by the Chancellor is unprecedented & has allowed UK employees to still receive 80% of their salary, which has been paid for by the UK taxpayer through the Government.
However, as the first wave of furloughed wage pay at 80% is edging towards a close at the end of July & employers having to pay NI & Pensions for employees from the 1st August 2020; we are already starting to see companies announcing redundancies.
About 397,000 people in the European Union lost their jobs in April, according to data from the EU’s stats agency, released in June.
The EU’s jobless rate rose to 6.6% in April, from a 12-year low of 6.4% the previous month, according to Eurostat. It’s the biggest rise in several years. (1)
Thus far in the past few weeks Marks & Spencer have announced 950 redundancies, BP announced plans to cut 10,000 jobs on June 8 due to the coronavirus crisis, Pret A Manger will close 30 outlets across the country, almost half of them in London, British Airways are cutting up to 12,000 jobs, EasyJet 4,500 jobs are to go & the list goes on (1)
With such a bleak future for so many UK employees & despite most businesses now being open in the UK with strict Covid Secure protocols across the board; there are a lot of businesses who are still unable to bring employees back in to the work place, as they simply do not have the infrastructure for social distancing & to be Covid Secure.
So, what does this mean if you are fearful for your job, you are uncertain if your furloughed payments will continue, or are you looking at redundancy?
The UK Government are aware of the impending spike in unemployment figures & are rallying around businesses across the UK to offer more support. However, they were transparent from the onset of the Covdi19 pandemic & have always said that they would not be able to save ‘every job’ & that there would be ‘hardships’ ahead.
This is all very well you might say, but if you are fearful for your job, what should you do?
Is your CV up to date?
It would be advisable in the first instance to review your CV & update it now if it isn’t. Make sure your CV will make you shine & if you are uncertain of formatting & how best to present yourself, then please do contact Helena Parrott – VA/Director Virtually Smart Ltd to chat about our CV format & review service.
How do you start to look for another job?
You may have been in your current job for a considerable amount of time & knowing that redundancies means the job market will suddenly become flooded with applicants; being one step ahead of the curve will help.
If you are in need of some employment mentoring & or coaching to prepare for the task of seeking out your next employment opportunity, then do contact Helena Parrott – VA/Director Virtually Smart Ltd to chat about our employment mentoring & coaching service which can help you focus on your goals & give you sound advice about how to secure your next position.
The employment market is going to get flooded, how do I stand out from the crowd?
When mass redundancies take place, the employment market can get flood with applicants. Some jobs can have hundreds of applicants applying. So, how can you make yourself seen to a potential employer & try & secure that all important next role?
Check the job description carefully of the job you are applying for. If there are ‘Essential’ needs for the role which you do not have, you are often less likely to considered than someone who does have the ‘Essential’ skills set.
First, consider your application & your CV. Do they really allow a potential employer to see you in your best light? Is your application form completed as per the instructions of the company you are applying too?
As part of the Virtually Smart Ltd Employment Mentoring & Coaching service, Helena Parrott can guide you through the processes to find that next employment opportunity & help develop some strategies to ensure you remain on course to secure your new role.
Next week we will look closer at the ways in which you may have to rethink your career path & or diversify based on additional skills sets you may have.
Written by Katy-Jane for & on behalf of Virtually smart Ltd.
