Experiencing job loss can be a challenge and stressful ordeal, regardless of age. However, when you find yourself in your forties or older, losing your job can present unique and heightened difficulties. At this stage in life, you may carry significant financial responsibilities and family obligations, making the prospect of starting anew in a different career particularly daunting.

The purpose of this blog is to provide guidance and support for those grappling with this type of situation. Even with the backing of family and friends, the emotions tied to losing one’s job can often lead to a profound sense of isolation. This article delves into the complex emotions that arise upon realizing that you are about to lose your job, while also offering suggestions to help you navigate the emotional and legal aspects of this situation.

Job Loss Across Borders: The Influence of Cultural Perspectives on Employment and Age

The impact of such a predicament can vary depending on the country in which you reside. Currently, I am living in the UK, and here, I have not felt that my age plays a determining role in securing a job. Interestingly, my CV does not include my date of birth. In this country, it is commonplace for individuals to transition between jobs, with an average tenure of around two years in a given position.

Once, while dining at a restaurant, I was served by a lady who appeared to be in her seventies. You might think, “Poor lady, at her age, she should be enjoying retirement rather than working.” However, there are multiple perspectives to consider. Perhaps, her retirement income is insufficient, and she has no one else to rely on, compelling her to continue working for survival. Alternatively, she could be a vibrant individual who prefers to remain active and engaged, choosing not to idle away her time at home on the couch watching TV. She seemed content and fulfilled.

When Lifelong Job Security is the Norm: Navigating Midlife Career Changes in a Culture of Stability

However, if you reside in a culture that emphasizes lifelong job security and perceives 40 as too old for new opportunities but too young for retirement, it’s entirely plausible to feel utterly adrift. We were often raised with the guidance of our parents, who whispered in our ears the importance of securing a stable job for a lifetime. The typical life milestones were laid out before us: education, employment, car, house, marriage, and children (with the last two being optional for many). It’s safe to say that most people are familiar with this trajectory.

This signifies the moment when you’ve acquired your house, and you believe you’ve secured stability for life. Your primary focus is to excel in your job, as you begin to save for that dream TV or those well-deserved vacations on a paradise island. At 40, you start contemplating the years left until retirement and what you’d like to do during that phase. Life seems organized, with minor occasional hiccups that you can manage.

This is the life our parents lived, the lives of all the people we’ve encountered, and now it’s our life. It’s what we often refer to as adult life – the life we yearned for and fantasized about as children.

But then, the unexpected happens: your job vanishes! You felt secure and stable, with everything seemingly going fine. You hadn’t even considered changing jobs, being comfortably settled in your routine. But now, the bubble has burst!

Trapped in a Nightmare: The Harsh Reality of Job Loss and Financial Instability

It feels as though you’re trapped in a nightmarish scenario, unable to awaken. Well, it’s time to confront reality. It’s not a bad dream; it’s the harsh reality that your comfort zone and the life you anticipated have evaporated. This is precisely what happened to me.

I held onto that job for nearly eight years. It wasn’t perfect, but it enabled me to purchase my house and car. While the salary wasn’t substantial, I managed to scrape by each month. On the 30th of every month, without fail, the money would land in my bank account – not a day earlier and never later.

Then, one day, on the 30th (I can’t quite recall the specific month it began), no money arrived in my account, nor did it reach my colleagues’ accounts. A day passed, and another, and another, yet the response to our queries remained unchanged: “Tomorrow.” The expected ‘tomorrow’ ended up being a staggering 15 days away. It all began like this – the salary arrived later and later each month. Eventually, we found ourselves one month behind, then two, struggling mightily to cover our bills and buy groceries.

A House Divided: Clashing Perspectives on Late Salaries and Survival

In such situations, you might expect the staff to unite in solidarity, correct? But that wasn’t the case! People began to divide into two groups: the first consisted of those whose livelihoods depended on that salary. They were understandably furious about the absurd situation and reminded the management that even getting to work required money for transportation. In contrast, the second group had another source of income (their partners’ salaries) and vehemently opposed the complaints of the first group. In fact, they contended that none of us had any reason to complain. Instead, they argued that we should be grateful because the company was still paying, albeit very late, and some money was eventually trickling into our bank accounts, albeit two months behind schedule.

Shouldering the Responsibility: The Challenges of Being the Sole Provider

I found myself in the first group: the sole breadwinner in my household. To make ends meet and cover my bills and transportation costs to the non-paying job, I took on a part-time job, which required me to work 12 hours a day for a fraction of the minimum wage. I was utterly exhausted.

It’s unfortunate that those who employ others often fail to fully comprehend or, perhaps, neglect to consider the immense challenges employees face when they don’t receive their salaries on time.

Lost in the Maze of Financial Struggle

Imagine it as a puzzle and a labyrinth intertwined. In the puzzle, we search for every piece of the puzzle (money) available to us and try various arrangements to solve the puzzle (bills).

We don’t sleep, we don’t eat because we’re desperate to complete that damned puzzle. Then, we realize some pieces are missing, rendering it impossible to finish. So, we enter a labyrinth where we can’t find an exit. We can’t stop because time is against us, and we keep walking in what seems like an endless loop. Despair sets in, and all the while, we must maintain focus on our jobs.

Eroding Trust: The Toxic Atmosphere of Workplace Suspicion

The atmosphere in the workplace became exceedingly tense. Nobody was content, and trust among colleagues evaporated. Some of us began suspecting that those who opposed our complaints might be receiving their salaries in secret, as they didn’t express grievances. Doubts and suspicions hung in the air like a heavy cloud.

“When a workplace becomes toxic, its poison spreads beyond its walls and into the lives of its workers and their families.”- Unknown

The Weight of Combined Stress: A Struggle for Mental and Physical Well-being

Every form of stress seemed to converge: no money, mounting bills, an empty refrigerator, sleepless nights, a tense work environment, and the inability to go out and relax with friends due to financial constraints. There should be a term for this combination of different types of stress.

At this juncture, your mental and physical health become seriously compromised. Even I, typically a healthy individual who rarely falls ill, contracted an undisclosed virus that landed me in the hospital for five days. The primary causes appeared to be the physical exhaustion from overwork and the psychological toll of relentless stress.

Navigating Legal Quandaries: Resignation and Rights in Portuguese Labour Law

You might wonder why I didn’t quit that gruelling job. The answer is simple: under Portuguese law at the time, if I had resigned, I would have forfeited all benefits and redundancy payments.

In Portugal, if a company fails to pay its employees and falls three months behind in salary payments, according to the law, the affected employees have the right to resign from their jobs and receive government benefits based on the years they have worked. Furthermore, the company is obligated to provide severance pay for the entire duration of the employee’s service. Prior to taking this step, the law requires employees to attempt to work, and failure to do so can result in job termination, leading to the loss of benefits. This situation is often viewed as profoundly unjust.

“There’s no passion for being found in playing small, in settling for a life that is less than you are capable of living.” – Nelson Mandela

This was the course of action I decided to take. When the day came, I submitted my resignation letter. I had been grappling with financial difficulties, and the benefits I would receive seemed to be the quickest and most viable solution at the time.

My parents expressed some concern about my decision to resign, as the idea of having a job is deeply ingrained in our culture. It can be challenging for some people to understand that it doesn’t make sense to hold onto a job that doesn’t pay you adequately. The key factor here is getting paid, unless, of course, you are exceptionally wealthy and don’t rely on a salary.

Legal Battles and Financial Realities: Navigating Labour Disputes

I visited ACT ( Authority for Working Conditions) and initiated the documentation process to apply for my benefits. To be eligible for these benefits, I had to officially resign from my part-time job. Additionally, I was advised to take my case to the Labour Court to claim the unpaid wages owed to me by my employer. I followed this advice, but I must mention that in Portugal, this legal process can be quite time-consuming.

When the time came for my case in court, no representative from the company showed up. The court then inquired whether I wanted to proceed and, if so, I would have to cover the court expenses. I decided to withdraw my case at that point. It didn’t make sense to spend the small amount of money I had on a situation that might not have a satisfactory resolution and could potentially repeat itself.

Regardless of where you find yourself, whether in a different country or working for a different company, it is crucial to stay informed about labour laws.

Understanding your responsibilities and rights is essential.

Don’t solely rely on the information provided by others; instead, seek assistance from your local ACT when in doubt.

The Uncommon Practice of Referral Letters in Portugal: Navigating Documentation Challenges

In Portugal, the practice of requesting referral letters from employers is not common, and it never occurred to me to obtain them during my time working there. It was only several months later, when I decided to relocate to the UK, that I received advice to request these letters. I can attest that obtaining them after such a significant time lapse proved to be quite a challenging task, but I eventually succeeded in doing so.

Lifelines in Crisis: The Support of Friends, Family and my Beloved Dog Cookie During Hardship

I want to emphasize the crucial role played by my wonderful friends, family and my beloved dog Cookie during this challenging period. They provided me with both emotional and financial support, which proved invaluable. Additionally, a friend who is a lawyer offered essential guidance on the necessary steps to navigate the process. However, even with this strong support network, this period of my life was undeniably one of the most difficult chapters I have ever faced.

Sharing Strength: Finding Unity in Shared Experiences

I wanted to share my experience and emotions with you because I believe that sharing our stories can demonstrate that we are not alone in our struggles. There may be individuals going through similar situations without anyone to lean on for support. Please feel free to comment and share your own experiences. Together, we are stronger, and we can learn from and support one another on this challenging experience.

Here are some resources that may be helpful for those who are facing work-related issues or job loss:

• Citizens Advice
• Acas (Advisory, Conciliation and Arbitration Service)
• Inspectorate-General of Labor and Employment (IGMTSS) (Portugal)
• Authority for Working Conditions (ACT) (Portugal)

In my next blog, I will delve into the emotions experienced after losing a job.