The Impact of Redundancy on Workers

Those who have lived with the feeling of job insecurity or who have counselled individuals declared redundant, or met with the spouses and children of people who recently lost their jobs will understand the pains and agony of redundancy. It is not something to look forward to at all.
The demise of the job for life of yesteryears is making workers restless. Traditionally, once an employee does a good job, backed up with commitment and loyalty to the organization, he was impliedly assured of a job for life. He can then plan for his family and his career development. Loss of employment calls for a total structural social adjustment. One not only loses a job, but his integrity, salary, esteem, career progress and many more which can even leads to depression. Losing a job puts the redundant person in a very complicated situation. How is he going to convince prospective employers that his loss of job was not due to inefficiency?
One aspect of redundancy management which people often ignore is that the agony of the staff declared redundant is also shared by the company and the personal managing the situation. You do not have to be inefficient to pronounce redundant. Even the executive’s friends can be affected in time of serious economic downtown. Organizations have responsibilities towards the staff and society. No organization will lay off staff for the joy of it.
The person who is equally affected by the redundancy, although not at the same level as the staff laid off his duty, is the personnel officer. As you speak to a staff member or sign a termination letter for anyone, you cannot afford to feel pains through empathy. It is even more painful to sign a letter of termination to your foe than to your friend. Your friend may understand that you are doing work, but your enemy will feel that management decision is yours. The effect of job insecurity and redundancy on people goes beyond the immediate loss of income. It gives rise to destruct of people and organization. Some will resort to moonlighting as a security measure. There is the tendency to develop a more cautious commitment to new employers. A lack of commitment and hard work may lead to redundancy.