As someone who has been working through a recession her whole working life let me just say: I know it’s tough.
I realise that I have never actually written or spoke much about my experience, and it felt like now, with some hindsight, was a good time to open up about it.
In September 2008, Lehman Brothers bank collapsed and the UK was thrown into the biggest recession since the Great Depression (by the way ‘The Big Short’ (on Netflix) is such a good film looking at that recession and the reasons why). Within a few days I had also lost my job. I was working at Eve magazine, my first job working at a magazine after a couple of years dabbling in PR.
I had been there for two years and had settled in easily, the team was small and I was just starting to gain more responsibility – styling my own pages and about to move towards my own shoots. We had no inkling that the magazine might close, and to this day, I still get the feeling it was done on a ‘whim’. We were never asked to tighten budgets and, although I was junior (senior fashion assistant) I had a lot of control over budgets and was given no sign that we needed to cut down on spending.
In fact, when the men in suits came into the office and called us all over to make an announcement, I was in the middle of a phonecall with a travel agent booking a trip for the fashion team, photographer, hair and make up artist and model to fly to the Maldives for a week long photo shoot. I said ‘can I call you back?’ And then began to listen to how the magazine was going into administration. I know it’s ‘business’ and a pure business decision but I suppose it was, for me, my first experience of being considered simply a ‘commodity’ as opposed to a hard-working member of a community that gave so much to the company. I always take my work very seriously, and to learn that, in fact, no one in HR even really knew my name, how long or hard I had worked for the past few years, hit me hard.
My salary was £16,000, I was 25 years old and I was now, unexpectedly, unemployed
Everyone was shocked, and I mean beyond shocked. Why were there no discussions that things were in trouble? Why hadn’t someone said ‘let’s put those New York fashion week flights on hold as budgets are tight?’ (that I had just booked for the team), why did no one say ‘let’s hold off on the Maldives flights’. It seems that no one, not even senior management were even aware of any issues. To put it into perspective: Eve was owned by Haymarket media at the time, founded by Lord Michael Heseltine, one of the richest men in the country (311th, I believe). Eve magazine was the only magazine they owned at the time that was aimed at and run primarily by women. It was the only magazine that was cut, and around 56 women (and a few men) were in consultation. There were no discussions about ‘cutting back on costs’ over the years previously, no ‘how can we help’, we simply had 5 minute individual chats and were told the magazine would fold.
I had worked there for two years but when they looked at my contract, it turned out I covered maternity leave for 8 months of the contract so in fact, I wasn’t counted as a full member of staff until 1 year and 4 months previously. The cut off for any redundancy pay was 2 years. My salary was £16,000, I was 25 years old and I was now, unexpectedly, unemployed.
I was devastated. I’d spent 4 years working in the tough fashion industry, working late nights almost every single night. I’d have dinner from the local kebab shop in the office on a regular basis, and often had to get a taxi home as I’d missed the last tube home working on a carnet (fashion customs documents). All of these hours, all of this work building up my name in the industry, for it to be taken away by a guy in a suit we’d never seen before and whom wasn’t interested in a discussion on the matter.
Fashion assistant jobs on magazines are hard to come by. Fashion editor jobs are even harder – they’re very few and far between and at the time (I like to think it’s more democratic now) most jobs were awarded by word of mouth. I had worked my way into a magazine through no family connections, and now had lost my way ‘in’ to the industry. The industry is fickle, once you are out, you are forgotten quickly. Or, at least, this is what I believed at the time.
I was renting in London and thankfully, we had reached the 6 month break clause in our latest contract so I told my flat mate I’d have to move back home with my parents. I called my parents and cried over the phone. My dad, pragmatic as always, said ‘why are you upset? That job wasn’t right for you, you were never really happy’. I couldn’t believe he was being so insensitive but, when thinking about it, was I really happy at a job I gave all my energy to, worked all hours for very little pay, hardly saw my friends or boyfriend, and had no discussion of ever getting a payrise or promotion?
The worst part of the administration procedure was that we still had to finish publishing the issue. I still had to call PRs and get all the credits and prices for the main fashion that were shot. I had to call up the travel agent and negotiate a refund for those NYC flights so the company could recuperate the costs (I wish to this day I’d just changed the details into my name and gone!). I had to work on my CV and cold email magazines asking for any work whatsoever, work experience where necessary as I knew, after working in the industry for 4 years, which is now in a huge recession, I’d probably have to start from the beginning.
And I did. I initially signed up to unemployment benefits whilst I was seeking freelance opportunities and full-time jobs, then there were rumours of a fashion assistant job going at Red magazine, and luckily they needed someone to freelance there whilst they were recruiting who knew the ins and outs of a magazine and didn’t need ‘training’. I turned up day 1 and got stuck in, asked no questions and immediately settled in.
Within this time, my pleas with the Haymarket HR worked and they awarded me a small amount of redundancy money, I think it was 2 months pay tax free, which for me, £2k was unbelievable and allowed me to pay off some of my debt whilst living from home and sorting out my financial situation.
I applied for the fashion assistant job at Red, which at 25 and with 4 years experience, I was overqualified for, but it was a better magazine and a bigger team. And 4 months after my experience at Eve magazine ended, my new career began.
Being made redundant in the past has made me think differently: I am always aware of the fragility of employment.
Looking back, it’s as if all that stress didn’t really happen. I was lucky, I landed on my feet and ended up working at Red for 7 years. I left as Style Editor for the title with tons of experiences photographing celebrities, overseas fashion shoots, editing 20 page shopping sections within the magazine and helping organise huge events. I learnt so much from the team, senior staff and editors there (both in terms of excellence, how to treat staff and sometimes, how not to) and it has equipped me so well on my freelance journey.
Being made redundant in the past has made me think differently: I am always aware of the fragility of employment. Not in a scary way, but I always try and think ahead – what’s next? What is my plan B? Having a plan B, this website, allowed me the freedom to go freelance and work for myself and have the freedom to work around my family. Without thinking ahead, this wouldn’t be possible.
Having worked throughout a recession I am always cost conscious. Both in terms of value in paying people (understanding their costs as well as my own) but about the value of items in terms of a reader. I have not always been comfortable with money, and times have been tough, and although we are comfortable now, knowing that others might be struggling, being made redundant and worry about job security at this time is important. I have been there.
It sounds like a cliche but I can honestly say that, looking back, it was the best thing that happened to me. I probably wouldn’t have applied for that job at Red if I was comfortable at Eve, I wouldn’t have then had my successful career and met all the amazing people I worked with, I (possibly) wouldn’t have gone on to have a brilliantly rewarding freelance career, working at Conde Nast Traveller and carving out my own niche on my website. I might have, but I also believe losing my job with nothing lined up gave me a confidence that I could do it. When I handed in my notice to finally go freelance, I had no work lined up but I knew I’d be fine. I’d done it before and I could do it again. A resilience is built up.
If anyone is going through a tough time with work right now, or feeling nervous about the looming recession – I feel you. It’s hard. But I want you to know you’re not alone, there are people to talk to. And probably, speaking to a lot of people who have been through the same experience, with a bit of hindsight, it can lead to positives further down the road (even if you can’t see it yet!). Out of recession often comes the most brilliant, creative ideas and it can be a time of great change. Here’s hoping.
This is a brilliant post, and sadly I expect very timely. I was also made redundant after my first break in my industry and at the time it was crushing, but thankfully it happened when I didn’t have a family to support.
I was a bit concerned by your experience and how you explained that you were told you weren’t a full employee because your first role was maternity cover. Part of my role was maternity cover and this didn’t affect my redundancy payout. If you are continuously employed it doesn’t matter if part of your role was maternity cover. It sounds like Haymarket found the same thing in the end and gave you a payout?
Such a good post and I’d recommend anyone facing a redundancy situation check the ACAS website for more information about their rights. Anyone on maternity leave facing redundancy should also check their rights as they actually have a little bit of a different situation with slightly more protection!
This is a fantastic post Alex. I’m very fortunate to work in an industry which is almost recession-proof, but your words about forward planning have got me thinking. I definitely don’t have flexibility and working around a family if I have one will be a challenge! Thanks for sharing your experience as I’m sure it will be a great comfort to anyone going through an uncertain time in their career X
Hi Alex – thanks for sharing this today. I work in online retail and was put on redundancy notice a month ago, with the outcome meeting this afternoon (I had to reapply and interview for my own job). I lost my last role a year ago almost to the day. Trying to stay positive and tell myself I survived this before, I can survive it again!
Thanks for sharing your experience Alex, this dose of positivity and confidence was just what I needed to read today!
A wonderful article. It must have given many readers inspiration in these dark times. Many thanks for the advice.
Great post Alex. It’s also worth saying it’s not the person it’s the job that is being made redundant.
My own experience is slightly different as I took voluntary redundancy a few years back as I realised I was miserable, tired from commuting and doing a job I didn’t care for. I took a leap and fortunately got a new job fairly quickly – it was on less pay but it enabled me to move forward.
I love this post Alex. I was made redundant from a job I loved almost five years ago and as devastating as it was I can now see that I wouldn’t have followed my dream of running my own business if that push hadn’t have happened. It’s not in anyway financially or emotionally easy but I do think it can make you more resilient and stronger
I was about to leave a message saying that your info re redundancy pay is misleading so glad to see you received a payment. Unless there was a break of at least one full week between the maternity role and the permanent role you would then have had two years continuous service and therefore entitled to redundancy pay (and claim unfair dismissal of relevant).
That’s what they told me, as the first contract wasn’t permanent, it didn’t count! I had to fight for it, but so glad I did! A lot of bigger companies rely on you to not know enough about the law – this was pre googling anything and everything, too! x
Pregnant than Screwed is also a very helpful organisation for advice.
I was at a PPA meeting that day and got a call from Jessica saying it was all over and to come back to the office. Jo and Jessica went to the regular board meeting with no idea of what was going to happen. I had been working with Jessica on making budget cuts they could present to the board, all too late. Eve was a vanity purchase and really never stood a chance as a stand alone mag within the Haymarket stable….and we cost too much!!!!
But, it was such a great place to work, I made friendships that have lasted post Eve, it was crazy, stressful and hard work but every month Eve hit the shelves!!!
Thank you for sharing Alex. It’s so helpful to read first person accounts like this and to see the positives when they come.
This has helped me realise how much resilience my husband and I have. Since his PhD my husband has struggled so much to get a full time permanent job. Things are still tough after he did teacher training (the one year you can’t get a chemistry teacher post!) and we now have two children under 3 but we’ve managed before and we’ll manage again. Thank you.
A great thoughtful and practical read Alex. I was made redundant in 2008
and although it didnt seem like it at the time you do become stronger and you do come through it. It has made me less wasteful and much more appreciative of the important things in life!
I like the comment from your dad – you were not really happy there anyway – this is exactly what my parents said! It took ‘getting away’ from the job to realise that.
Thank you so much for sharing!
It’s such a horrible thing to through. But you ended up in the right place Xx PS a friend from school worked at Eve x
Really inspiring read, so many people back home with parents right now wondering what comes next x
Thanks for writing this Alex.This is very helpful in current times. You are an inspiratin
Yes this was so true – they never really knew what to do with us! But yes the friendships last, lots of love Teresa xxx
I think this is one of my favourite reads from you Alex. Thank you! I was made redundant and not even sure if I want to go back into the fashion industry. I would love to work for myself one day so I am currently working on that before building up the engery to throw myself into the job hunt.
Thanks!
This is a great piece, and very timely. I was unfortunately made redundant two months ago, whilst 7 months pregnant, which wasn’t the best timing! It has left me in a difficult position of not being able to look for another job, due to non-compete clauses and the impending arrival of our baby. However, it has allowed me to gain some perspective and realise how unhappy I had been in that role for 5+ years. Whilst it’s unnerving knowing I do not have a job to go back to, I am excited for the opportunity to find a new challenge when I start looking for employment again next year.
Redundancy can be terrifying, but I do believe it can give you the opportunity to do something great and put you in a direction you may have never considered otherwise.
Hi! Just wanted to say your article about redundancy gave me a perspective I’ve never seen or heard before. Thank you, you’re very inspiring and have a good day!
I love reading your posts, so refreshingly honest and from the heart. I can always relate to what you say.
Hi Alex, As an aside, my family used to love Eve magazine! I once wrote a letter into them saying it was a great publication as both myself, my Mum and my Granny read it and I won the letter of the week which was a box of Champagne! Really interesting to see the backstory.
Resilience is so important, it’s actually a great topic to talk about, particularly as parents. How do we instill it in our children?
Thanks for sharing this. I’m currently in the eye of the storm of redundancy at the moment, it’s a very scary time and it’s really taking its toll emotionally. It’s good to hear that things will work out… fingers crossed anyway!
X
Thank you for sharing this Alex. Hearing stories like this, from successful people like you, provide a lot of motivation. It’s nice to be reminded that there are tough times behind every success. I really enjoyed reading this. Thank you!
Loved this!
I was made redundant due to Corona! I’m 23, was at the start of my career in Marketing and felt like I’d just started on building up experience I need to land my dream job in the future.
I was floored. I broke and it really hurt. It is often easy to see it as your fault and to blame yourself. It also made me conscience of time and how quickly I wanted to progress and how being made redundant stopped these plans immediately. Like you said it felt like I was starting again!
However, after 4 interviews I managed to get a job. I’m now working in the Marketing department for a college and although it’s not as much money, and it’s not quite what I wanted, I’m still employed and still gaining experience!
Things change, plans don’t work out and blimey I have a hell of a story to tell the kids one day!
MJ
So true that it’s the job not the person. As someone who has had to make staff redundant from my own business, this really helps both the employee and myself stay as positive as possible in what is a very difficult situation.