Most people will have heard of the famous phrase, coined by the Dogs’ Trust for a festive advertising campaign, ‘A dog is for life, not just for Christmas.’

And not so many years ago, the word dog could be replaced by JOB.

After the necessary education, it was generally accepted that you’d start a job as the ‘newbie’ and leave it with your pension anywhere up to 50 years later.

However, things have now changed.

A wide range of challenging economic circumstances, political effects, industry slumps, and other unforeseen factors have led to an extremely uncertain and fragile workplace.

Indeed, recent research by global recruitment agency Zippia reveals:

·       The average person changes jobs 12 times in their lifetime;

·       The average employee stays with their employer for 4.3 years;

·       Men hold 12.5 jobs in their lifetime, on average, while women have 12.1 jobs.

Employees may experience worries about job insecurity for various reasons, and these concerns can be influenced by a combination of personal, organisational, and external factors.

These include:

• Economic Uncertainty: During economic downturns or recessions, companies may face financial challenges, leading to cost-cutting measures such as layoffs or downsizing;

• Technological Changes: Advancements in technology can lead to automation, which may replace certain job functions;

• Organisational Restructuring: Changes within the organisation, such as mergers, acquisitions, or reorganisations, can create uncertainty. Employees may fear that their positions will be affected during these transitions;

• Performance Pressures: If employees perceive that their performance isn’t meeting expectations or that they lack the skills necessary for their current role, they may worry about potential job loss;

• Lack of Communication: Poor communication from leadership about the company's performance, future plans, or potential changes can leave employees in the dark;

• Contract and Temporary Employment: Workers in temporary or contract positions often experience higher levels of job insecurity, as these roles are typically more susceptible to fluctuations in demand or project completion;

• Industry Changes: Certain industries may face more volatility due to market trends, regulatory changes, or shifts in consumer behaviour;

• Global Events: External factors such as pandemics, natural disasters, or geopolitical events can have widespread economic repercussions, impacting businesses and job security;

• Personal Financial Obligations: Employees with significant financial commitments, such as mortgages or student loans, may be more sensitive to job insecurity, as the potential loss of income can have a direct impact on their financial stability;

• Previous Experiences: Employees who’ve experienced job loss, layoffs, or witnessed colleagues facing job insecurity in the past may carry lingering concerns about the stability of their current positions.

So, in this uncertain environment how can you stay ahead of the crowd and ensure you survive and succeed in today’s challenging workplace?

The answer is ‘career resilience’, being able to spring forward from changes and challenges at work.

Examples of being resilient in the workplace could mean that your job is made redundant and you view it in a positive light and as an opportunity to try something new.

You’ll have the motivation and confidence to apply for new jobs and go for interviews.

Or perhaps you’ve had an appraisal where it hadn’t been as you wished.

Being resilient means you’d view this as having some useful feedback that you can work on to improve your performance.

Look out for the next articles in this series – “How to Develop Career Resilience,” “The Importance of Career Resilience,” and “The Benefits of Career Resilience.”

If you need further information about these approaches, or any other resilience topic, please contact russell@theresiliencecoach.co.uk.