Redundancy is not the end
Papers are very gloomy these days, with all the talk of redundancies. Even Diageo so long seen as the “cradle to grave” employer are making people redundant. At least though, they’re providing career counselling services for people being made redundant.
It’s bad news, not just for the people being made redundant in the breweries, but also people based in James gate, but not working in the brewery. They have to move to a yet undisclosed location.
Rumour has it that this will be Grange Castle in Clondalkin. If you’re living North side, then this could add another 3 hours per day to your commute. The consequence of our poor transport systems. Transport 21, yet another transport plan, is still that- just another plan.
A previous employer of mine, once put on a private bus for staff when they moved out to Clondalkin. I can’t remember whether the job start time commenced when you got on the bus or when you arrived at Clondalkin! Could be a negotiating option for the unions though. At least that way you can use the bus lanes, save time and relax a little.
Many people currently working in Diageo can have 20 to 30 years service and have great conditions. Diageo does invest in staff training and development so hopefully redundant staff can get jobs elsewhere.
Here’s some areas where there’s shortages of people in both high and low skill areas.
Financial- high skilled accountants and paperwork processing
Engineering- all skill levels including technicians
Information technology-all skill levels
Scientists-all levels including technician
Healthcare- all levels including care workers and child minders
Transport and logistics- heavy goods vehicle drivers, paperwork processing
Sales- managers and assistants
Catering- chefs
Manufacturing- some specialist areas
Services –private security, waiting staff
Labourers
From the “The National skills bulletin October 2007”
You can see more detail on the report by clicking here to go to the Agency’s website. Go to section 7 starting on page 29.
Interesting there are shortages of labourers and waiting staff, vacancies mostly filled by immigrants. It also shows the lack of joined up thinking between the social welfare systems and minimum wages. As an Iraqi asylum seeker told me
“it’s ridiculous, welfare systems are far too generous and make it financially not worthwhile to take on minimum wage work “!
Losing the medical card, once the back to work allowance runs out is a huge disincentive to work. Despite having significant medical problems and suffering racism, this lady went on to retrain and now has a good well paying position, proving some people never give up.
So if you’re being made redundant, don’t despair. There’s always options.
You might find the following excellent easy to read documents very useful.
From The Irish national association for the unemployed. (INOU)
Working to work
A very useful guide to social welfare as it relates to working. Good advice on job hunting and the wide range of free supports and training available to help you find another job.
From Aontas , the National Association for adult learners
Aontas Information Booklet
A booklet for people thinking of further training. Also contains details on the various schemes available to help people get free training.
These free booklets will save you hours of chasing information.
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Facing redundancy
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Tags: Diageo redundancies, job search supports, working to work