Discussion
After nearly working 25 years in the local media as a 'snapper.' Forty-five out of 154 of us (including yours truly) were told yesterday that we are about to get our 'marching orders -and shown the door' from the editorial floor in Bristol as the recession continues to bite. The 45 staff will largely be made up of the Western Daily Press journos. This means I may have to go out there alone and finally be self employed! After the news was relayed to us, two thoughts came to mind. The Griff is NOT for sale!! And now I know how the staff of a certain Blackpool factory must of felt when like us we have no daily work to go to. Got to be positive, 'and all that!' First things first a 'decent' web site beckons, so if any body can do a swap, for PR photography I may be able to get up and running quicker than I thought! Chin up as they say!
Coco H said:
I am sorry.
(I wonder if my job is on the line. I am on maternity leave and have been asked to come back quite a lot later than I wanted.
So I won't be paid at all as stat pay will have run out - yet I can't do anything else.)
Unless the entire company is winding up you are quite safe. They would not dare make you redundant while you are on maternity leave, it would be a HR nightmare they do not want to approach. If you have budgeted for the stat, then try to sound out how things are going and if things sound okay, try to get back to work when you can.(I wonder if my job is on the line. I am on maternity leave and have been asked to come back quite a lot later than I wanted.
So I won't be paid at all as stat pay will have run out - yet I can't do anything else.)
Once you back in it's another matter altogether, but until then you should be okay. I think they may still be cautious about laying off someone who just came back from maternity, god knows my place wouldn't touch them.
Edited by Badgerboy on Saturday 24th January 20:50
garyhun said:
All the best on getting sorted - never a nice experience.
If you are writing a new CV do not forget that it's "And now I know how the staff of a certain Blackpool factory must HAVE felt when like us we have no daily work to go to"
You're quite right - that's why I'm a 'snapper' and not a writer!!! LOLIf you are writing a new CV do not forget that it's "And now I know how the staff of a certain Blackpool factory must HAVE felt when like us we have no daily work to go to"
Edited by marz92 on Saturday 24th January 20:56
marz92 said:
garyhun said:
All the best on getting sorted - never a nice experience.
If you are writing a new CV do not forget that it's "And now I know how the staff of a certain Blackpool factory must HAVE felt when like us we have no daily work to go to"
You're quite right - that's why I'm a 'snapper' and not a writer!!! LOLIf you are writing a new CV do not forget that it's "And now I know how the staff of a certain Blackpool factory must HAVE felt when like us we have no daily work to go to"
Edited by marz92 on Saturday 24th January 20:56
Sorry to hear it, this is never nice or easy.
I was in print and media for 20 years and had this a couple of times, print is very transient for security now and has been for about 10 years. Got so annoyed about it happening the last time I started my own business in a completely different trade. Gone from being ops manager in print to hair and beauty salon owner! A long story...
So let's drill down with you. You're probably shocked and jaundiced. The media aren't helping with their doom and gloom. But to the bright side. Long tenure means good redundancy right? When it finishes, have some time out, catch up on stuff, I know it's hard to but concentrate on having fun for a week or two.
Then get down to business. Strangely, this sort of thing can re-awaken the positive mental attitude and strength of resolve in people. There will be the odd bad day, but try to treat it as an adventure and a positive life change. Harder if you have a family, granted, but try to stay looking positive in front of them and get their mentality on side to treat it as a blowing out of the cobwebs with you.
If you do decide to go it alone, do so with real enthusiasm. I did, yes there have been hard days, but even in this climate, money can be made. Today in my shop we were fully booked for hairdressing, nails and beauty. Women don't appear to have embraced the recession in my town!
Good luck and let us know what you decide to do
I was in print and media for 20 years and had this a couple of times, print is very transient for security now and has been for about 10 years. Got so annoyed about it happening the last time I started my own business in a completely different trade. Gone from being ops manager in print to hair and beauty salon owner! A long story...
So let's drill down with you. You're probably shocked and jaundiced. The media aren't helping with their doom and gloom. But to the bright side. Long tenure means good redundancy right? When it finishes, have some time out, catch up on stuff, I know it's hard to but concentrate on having fun for a week or two.
Then get down to business. Strangely, this sort of thing can re-awaken the positive mental attitude and strength of resolve in people. There will be the odd bad day, but try to treat it as an adventure and a positive life change. Harder if you have a family, granted, but try to stay looking positive in front of them and get their mentality on side to treat it as a blowing out of the cobwebs with you.
If you do decide to go it alone, do so with real enthusiasm. I did, yes there have been hard days, but even in this climate, money can be made. Today in my shop we were fully booked for hairdressing, nails and beauty. Women don't appear to have embraced the recession in my town!
Good luck and let us know what you decide to do
marz92 said:
After nearly working 25 years in the local media as a 'snapper.' Forty-five out of 154 of us (including yours truly) were told yesterday that we are about to get our 'marching orders -and shown the door' from the editorial floor in Bristol as the recession continues to bite. The 45 staff will largely be made up of the Western Daily Press journos. This means I may have to go out there alone and finally be self employed! After the news was relayed to us, two thoughts came to mind. The Griff is NOT for sale!! And now I know how the staff of a certain Blackpool factory must of felt when like us we have no daily work to go to. Got to be positive, 'and all that!' First things first a 'decent' web site beckons, so if any body can do a swap, for PR photography I may be able to get up and running quicker than I thought! Chin up as they say!
Sorry to hear this. If it is any consolation you might be pleased to hear that my father worked as a self-employed photographer in Bristol for over 50 years - he only stopped 3 years back (at the age of 72) did some PR work but largely lived off weddings, passports and portraits. He knew loads of folks on both the Press and Post. He could have done a lot more work but was winding down for the last 10 years or so. You might want to see if you can do some freelance work for your previous employer - it is often the case that after layoffs they are short staffed... I suspect you've probably got lots of local contacts so hopefully you could kick-start a freelance career without too much fuss. Best of luck - give it it a go!
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