Redundancy or Unemployment: Keep Calm and Carry On?

Unemployment is a traumatic event for anyone, not least for those who are made redundant through no real fault of their own. However, perhaps there’s some value in the historical, although now somewhat rhetorical phrase, “Keep Calm and Carry On” – but can you actually do it?

In March 2012 it was reported that UK unemployment had risen by 28,000 to 2.67 million during the three months to January (see related articles). The unemployment rate currently stands at 8.4%, according to figures from the Office for National Statistics (ONS). And it appears to be getting worse, despite more recent government claims about reduced unemployment.

Keep Calm and Carry On was a slogan first used by the British government in a poster campaign back in 1939. The original intention was to raise the morale of the British public during the Second World War, in the event of an invasion.

Thankfully, history shows that no invasion took place, which was a good thing, especially when you consider the possible national and individual impacts if it had. However, today’s mostly rhetorical use of the phrase is little more than a political platitude. One designed with similar moral results in mind during difficult times however; the circumstances we face today almost pale into insignificance when compared to warfare. 

Importantly, we would all do well to remember – there is always someone, somewhere who is worse off than we are!

The reason we often over react, to what is often little more than a glitch in our reality, is (for the most part) our lives rarely run the risk of any major impact upon normality. In addition we tend to base our life, and our expectations, on our mostly financial income. We apply monetary value to almost everything in our life, cash has become king and when that cashflow is impeded at any level, it’s a traumatic situation, especially if the cause of that restricted cashflow is actually out of our control.

Unemployment, by whatever cause, can be one of life’s toughest challenges, but there are many practical steps you can take to help you best cope. Unlike the past great depressions, an array of self-help information is available through the internet. Sites like the BBC – How to cope with financial difficulties, along with a myriad of other resources, make things far easier to cope with than was once the case.

Being out of work is not the end of the world, the secret is not expecting someone else to pick you up (or the mess you’re in). You certainly won’t solve the problem by sitting on your arse feeling sorry for yourself.

Related articles

• UK unemployment rises by 28,000 (bbc.co.uk)
• Unemployment increase puts millions at risk of debt (moneyexpert.com)
• How many unemployed people are there in the UK? (guardian.co.uk)
• VIDEO: UK unemployment levels rise again (bbc.co.uk)