So you're about to be retrenched! What now?
Losing your job because of retrenchment may not necessarilly mean the end of the road for you and you should by no means look at it as a failure on your part but as a stepping stone for what you were actually meant to do in this world. It is a part of life, a harsh reality of the times that we live in. Many people have gone through the exact same thing as you. It is entirely up to you to accept this fate and emerge a much stronger and rejuvinated person. You may have seen this coming but you never really thought it would affect you. We all at times become so complacent that we think it would never happen to us.
When are companies likely to consider retrenching its staff?
According to the South African Labor Relations Act, an employer may retrench an employee if the employer:
needs to cut down on staff for economic reasons
is changing the business operation, and the employee’s job is no longer required or
the job content changes to such an extent that the employee is unable to meet the skill levels required for the job
upgrades technology
The Basic Guide to Retrenchment states that there must be a compulsory consultation process when an employer considers retrenching workers because of operational needs. He must, in writing, consult the people mentioned in the collective agreement or workplace forum, the registered trade union of affected workers or if there is no trade union, the workers or their representatives.
The employer and the consulting parties must agree on:
ways of avoiding or minimising retrenchments
changing the timing of retrenchments
reducing the effects of retrenchment
choosing which workers to retrench
severance pay
Employers must give the consulting party written notice and information on the reasons for an intended retrenchment:
why a specific retrenchment method was used
how many workers are employed
how many workers are to be retrenched
how many workers were retrenched in the previous 12 months
when retrenchments will take place
what assistance the employer intends to give retrenched workers and
possible re-employment.
Research carried out by Xolani Ngonini at the University of Witwatersrand found that retrenched mine employees experienced a loss of dignity. In most communities working on the mines was always considered to be a highly sought after job and those who had been able to get into such jobs were considered to be fortunate. These men were no longer able to look after their own families and often ended up stressed and depressed. They also ended up being burdens to their wives and in some cases their wives ended up leaving them. In other instances, women ended up being breadwinners and as a result had to migrate to towns looking for work as domestic workers or factory workers. Other retrenchees were able to get involved in entrepreneurial activities by opening their own businesses. Most of these businesses failed due to a lack of skills and training regarding financial management and many aspiring entrepreneurs ended up in debt with wholesalers. Once the retrenchment package has been exhausted, many of the men become unable to provide for their families and were also unable obtain an income. The skills they had gained on the mines were no longer useful in the rural areas, this resulted in them not being able to provide education for their children and most of these children ended up not finishing school, as their parents were unable to afford to pay school fees for them or even buy them uniforms. As a result of this, some even resorted to crime.
The effects on the mine workers may very well be assosiated with retrenched workers from other job sectors as well. Dont be discouraged, you just may be one of the lucky few to be relocated into a suitable position within the company. However, you should always hope for the best but plan for the worst.
What can you do in the face of retrencment?
Firstly, I suggest you go through the emotions and grasp the reality of the situation, fear, anxiety, anger, guilt and frustration. All these help the mind to get creative and find ways of having to survive and provide for basic needs like food, shelter and security for you and your family. Dont be tempted to drown your sorrows in alcohol or drugs because no matter how high you get, the realities will still be there for you to deal with. Keep a level head, exercise your body and mind and maintain a healthy lifestyle. You should also pray together as a family and maintain a high spiritual following in your faith. Keep in the company of good friends and surround yourself with positive people. Clear away clutter from your life, both literally and figuratively, by doing this, you afford yourself the space to grow.
You may want to update your CV and your online social media profile like LinkedIn and Twitter. Let people know that you will be in the market for a new job. Volunteer at non profit organisations and attend social gatherings, you may never know where an opportunity may come from. During your stressful working years, you may have had some idea of a business or hobby that you were keen on persuing, take this time to consider following through with it. Whether it is photography, event management, baking or welding projects, now is the time to make your dreams a reality.
Take all the support you can get especially from your spouse who is most likely feeling just as much pain and anxiety as you are. Comfort one another and work together on a plan on lowering your household expenditures until you are financially stable again. This is the time for patience and understanding, always be comforted in the belief that things will eventually improve and that your'll will be stronger for having survived the upset.
Stay positive and find a way to survive. Good luck!
