Redundancy stigma: Why attitudes must change

Posted in Candidates, Clients, General News

Approximately 9 out of 10 job applicants are ‘too embarrassed’ to mention their redundancy, according to Sarah Leembruggen, Managing Partner of The Works.

It appears that the recession has done nothing to remove the social stigma attached to redundancy despite hundreds of UK job roles being lost each week.

Sarah maintains that up to 90% of the candidates she interviews are unsure as to whether to mention their (often recent) redundancy status to a prospective employer and insists that attitudes to redundancy must change.

Whilst acknowledging it’s often a matter of ‘easier said than done’, Sarah says: “There needs to be a cultural shift towards redundancy given current market conditions. Candidates should try not to take redundancy so personally but distinguish between and take solace from the fact that it’s their role that has been made redundant, not themselves as an individual.

“Organisations are usually less judgemental when it comes to considering candidates ‘between jobs’, understanding that market conditions are not evidence of a candidates competence – but not always. Given the current war for talent, businesses should welcome a new talent stream.”