Constant anxiety about job security

[Fluffalumpper]

Does anyone else worry a lot about job security??

When I was younger I barely thought about it. Leaving a job always seemed to be on my terms but over the last few years whether due to my general anxiety mixed with my situation or whether there’s been a shift in the UK job market as well, I’m finding myself constantly worrying.

I had a terrible experience at my previous company with a bullying boss and a very secure job suddenly became very precarious. I LOVE my new job but I know it’s not performing well and they’re making some redundancies and now considering selling half the business. I’m sick with worry.

I have a very specialist role and experience which is adding to it because there are barely any jobs advertised at the moment and companies are starting to move back to office roles (very difficult for me considering where I live).

I know my current company condition is playing a big part but feel like general job security has taken a bit of dive. For example I don’t know many people in my industry who would consider moving for a job nowadays because roles are so precarious.

I know the economy is playing a big part but is anyone else worrying like me?

Yes. Am in a London-centric industry that’s really suffering atm, and lots of professionals leaving for other careers. I’m hanging in there in a rare out-of-London role, but Im anxious about the state of the industry and seeing so many talented colleagues leaving/ out of work does up the fear factor.

I think the only real answer is to prepare as well as you can- cv and skills up to date, keep alert to possible transferable skills and welcoming industries- and hope for the best but plan for the worst.

sympathy. It’s awful. I’m constantly on edge.

Yep. I’ve started the process of updating my CV and networking with former colleagues. It’s hard though. I have a niche role, I’m female and in my 50’s.

You could have a look at redundancy insurance it costs about £60 a month and pays out up to £2500 a month for a year. Might put your mind at rest a bit

@TiredofLDN sorry to hear that, it’s awful isn’t it?!

I have savings to fall back on if need be (although I’d really prefer not to touch them) and love the job so I’m tempted to hold out until if/when they get rid of me. Similar companies have 20-30 of me but my company has always been very lean and after the recent redundancies I’m now the only one doing what I do.

If they got rid of me they’d have to fill my position with expensive consultancies (although that didn’t stop them getting rid of my colleague).

I just really don’t want to be forced to go back to consultancy work. Since leaving I’ve realised that was the cause of a lot of my anxiety.

@Batteriesoptional i think I’ll do the same. I’m 42 but looking already at how early I could feasibly retire just to get out of this uncertainty. It feels like a race to the end.

It’s terrible that being in your 50’s should be a worry but I know it is for a lot of people. God help us if we have to work in to our late 60’s/70’s!

(Just to add, there’s a 90 day initial exclusion period between starting the policy and when its valid to claim so best to sort asap if it’s something you’re thinking about)

I've spent the last year on agency with the constant threat of job loss hanging over me, recently been offered a fixed term contract which is ever so slightly more secure and may be get extended, but in reality is not that much less secure than permanent roles, I know of two people in my circle who've been made redundant out of the blue from perm roles.

I don't have job insecurity so much as economy insecurity to be honest. In better times, I knew if the worst happened I could probably find something else in months if not weeks. Now I fear I'd be out of work for maybe a year - and if I did find work it likely would be below my skill set/salary level and temporary.

Until the economy improves, which may never happen the way things are going, I think most people will feel insecure about employment.