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Original poster

Anyone else worried about jobs

102 replies

Lacey2019 · 31/07/2020 11:34

Hello everyone,

Is anyone else worried about jobs? I have such anxiety for my friends and family who have lost jobs. Some have lost very high paid jobs in the city, which was something no one ever expected to happen. Big houses, mortgages, cars on finance. I want to help, but I don’t feel I can. I am lucky to be a teacher, but I need to also ensure I’m okay.

I have looked at moving to Dubai with a friend, as he’s always wanted to and we thought he’d get a job. He has no degree, but lots of great experience in retail fit outs in the UK. He can’t live with me I believe, but I’m also not sure he’d get work.

How is everyone else coping/getting on?. I do worry and think of everyone on here too. I’ve done some free open university course which I recommend for anyone.

OP posts:
WhiteChocTwix · 31/07/2020 19:19

@Lacey2019 Yes I'm extremely worried so glad you started this thread. 15 years in various supply chain roles here. Furlough now over and the job situation looks horrendous. All my recruiter contacts keep telling me it'll improve but they hardly have any roles coming in, and the odd one they do have is as much as I was earning in my 1st office job Confused August is notoriously quiet in recruitment but even so... Just hoping things pick up in Sept suspect this is wishful thinking Hmm

Original poster
Lacey2019 · 31/07/2020 19:29

I’m so sorry @WhiteChocTwix I hate to be a pessimist :(

OP posts:
The80sweregreat · 31/07/2020 19:53

I'm so sorry :( it really it shit.
I worry about the future for the young and where will the jobs be?

IcedPurple · 31/07/2020 19:58

I have looked at moving to Dubai with a friend, as he’s always wanted to and we thought he’d get a job. He has no degree, but lots of great experience in retail fit outs in the UK. He can’t live with me I believe, but I’m also not sure he’d get work.

You can't just roll up in any of the Gulf states and start looking for work. You have to be recruited in your home country and your employer has to apply for a work visa on your behalf.

Also, retail jobs in those countries are almost always done by low-paid workers from countries such as India, the Philippines or less wealthy Middle Eastern nations. You'll rarely if ever find Westerners in these jobs.

Original poster
Lacey2019 · 31/07/2020 20:20

@IcedPurple

I have looked at moving to Dubai with a friend, as he’s always wanted to and we thought he’d get a job. He has no degree, but lots of great experience in retail fit outs in the UK. He can’t live with me I believe, but I’m also not sure he’d get work.

You can't just roll up in any of the Gulf states and start looking for work. You have to be recruited in your home country and your employer has to apply for a work visa on your behalf.

Also, retail jobs in those countries are almost always done by low-paid workers from countries such as India, the Philippines or less wealthy Middle Eastern nations. You'll rarely if ever find Westerners in these jobs.

@IcedPurple yes I agree. My friend wants to move there as they did shop fit outs/ property jobs for very big food chains here. With no degree, I’m not sure of her prospects?
OP posts:
BoredHoolet · 31/07/2020 20:28

I am in Scotland where a survey out today says 55% of all Scottish businesses are expecting to make redundancies. That’s huge.

What’s particularly grim is that the vast majority of those being made redundant won’t know that it is coming. These are not ‘obvious’ jobs like Pret or retail. More than half of every type of business expects to lose people.

GreyGardens88 · 31/07/2020 20:30

Well I was made redundant beginning of July and was offered a new job a few days ago. I think you just need to apply yourself a bit.

IcedPurple · 31/07/2020 20:36

My friend wants to move there as they did shop fit outs/ property jobs for very big food chains here. With no degree, I’m not sure of her prospects?

Again, these jobs are nearly always done by people from low-wage countries so I can't see them employing a British person who'd be expecting much higher wages and conditions. And like I say, she'd need to apply from her home country - she/he would be breaking the law if she went to any of the Gulf countries on a tourist visa to look for a job.

Squeekybummum · 31/07/2020 20:49

Yes we all received a redundancy letter yesterday, asking for so many voluntary redundancies. So now it's just a waiting and hoping game.

Original poster
Lacey2019 · 31/07/2020 20:51

@GreyGardens88

Well I was made redundant beginning of July and was offered a new job a few days ago. I think you just need to apply yourself a bit.
@GreyGardens88 yeyyy :) well done
OP posts:
Original poster
Lacey2019 · 31/07/2020 20:53

@IcedPurple

My friend wants to move there as they did shop fit outs/ property jobs for very big food chains here. With no degree, I’m not sure of her prospects?

Again, these jobs are nearly always done by people from low-wage countries so I can't see them employing a British person who'd be expecting much higher wages and conditions. And like I say, she'd need to apply from her home country - she/he would be breaking the law if she went to any of the Gulf countries on a tourist visa to look for a job.

Thank you @IcedPurple really helpful

She earnt six figures in London building shops etc, but I did say Dubai may be hard now

OP posts:
MabelMoo23 · 31/07/2020 20:55

Yes really really worried. I work in events, so currently zero income to my employer. In terrified of being made redundant when furlough ends.

Really really worried. We literally have no cash to pay our wages when furlough ends

KTD27 · 31/07/2020 20:57

Yep. I was working supply direct for a school. Furlough didn’t apply for us so I’ve been without an income since March. Absolutely shit.
There are no vacancies in my area I’m just hoping for something come September so I can get into school before we are locked down again. I can’t go on without an income.

lljkk · 31/07/2020 21:02

How bad is it that my boss keeps sending job adverts to me? He wants to keep me on, but can't magic up the funds, I perceive...

Original poster
Lacey2019 · 31/07/2020 21:13

@lljkk that seems to insensitive x

OP posts:
Axlcat · 31/07/2020 21:21

Yep. Worried here. My role looks like it will go and my partners company look like they are heading for administration. I feel that the golden days of not having to worry too much about getting another job are well and truly over.

britINscotland · 31/07/2020 21:26

public sector in Scotland so we are seemingly safe and unionised although it would not surprise me if they did voluntary redundancies.

Anyone know what public sector is saying about job security / redundancies etc?

FurForksSake · 31/07/2020 21:30

My job has already gone poof, so I am applying for things and getting nowhere. As long as my husband keeps his job in the interim then we will be fine, he will get good redundancy and is busy doing as many IT exams as possible to prepare for it.

PurBal · 31/07/2020 21:38

This feels like two threads.
Yes, I'm worried. My organisation is well funded but others in my industry have had problems.
I wanted to point out that a shop fit out is different from retail and can attract good money, how you try to get into it I don't know. Experience in one country will not necessarily count in another. Eg I used to work for a multinational branding agency with 36 offices. They were huge globally but the UK market is so so different it counted for very little when I was trying to get work in the UK.

SengaStrawberry · 31/07/2020 21:43

I’ve lost my job. Thankfully just been offered another one and waiting to start

31133004Taff · 31/07/2020 21:43

I wonder whether the government will be forced to reconsider how a significant proportion of the population potentially living on Universal Credit. The only way I can see people managing is by going into debt. Who can live on £110 per week?

CornflakeMum · 31/07/2020 21:44

Yes, I'm worried for the DC and what sort of prospects they will have after leaving university.

I do think we will be entering an era of different types of jobs. Some people will be highly entrepreneurial and will be OK.

I've already seen some businesses reinventing themselves to adapt to the 'new normal' i.e. working at home/ outdoor entertainment
e.g.

  • Shed manufacturers marketing themselves as 'home office' providers
  • Outdoor party providers/ event managers e.g. cinema at home
  • Cocktail parties through the post

I also think there will be a resurgence of jobs on high streets as people work from home and visit their high streets mid-week.

OllysArmy · 31/07/2020 21:51

I have student DC and don’t think they have a chance of a job when they graduate, plus no summer work so they will be low in funds when they go back. For the one just starting I have said no pint in a gap year as there are no jobs and you can’t travel.
Then I employer announces that the company is in trouble today, no idea of the future and I am not really in a position to look for another job as I am over 50 and overweight so trying to maintain social distance or better still wfh.
I currently have an employee DH

OllysArmy · 31/07/2020 21:51

Employed DH

SomeWateryTart · 31/07/2020 21:52

Yes, I'm worried. I'm a SAHM and have been for years. This was my year to get back to work and I just don't see how it's going to happen. But, you never know. I think the thing to remember is that everyone has to adapt. This is true of pretty much any period in history. Stuff happens and we have to find a way to adapt and carry on somehow Sad.