Young Aussie reveals truth about ‘embarrassing’ work taboo

A young Aussie has opened up about a taboo workplace topic on social media, admitting to something she says many workers view as “embarrassing”.

In our oversharing culture, it seems like no topics are taboo anymore – but there’s still one thing people don’t like to talk about: losing their jobs.

Jen Rothwell, 28, is an interior designer who was made redundant a few weeks ago. She’s one of a growing number of young people who are rejecting the code of silence and actually talking about it.

Redundancy is when a business no longer requires an employee’s role anymore, so they make that job redundant.

It is different to being fired in that it isn’t based on an employee’s performance or actions, and solely based on business needs.

The other key difference is when someone gets made redundant, they get a payout, based on notice and years of service.

Often, when people lose jobs, they have a few socially acceptable lines they roll out for a post on LinkedIn, such as “I wanted a change” or “I was ready for a bigger challenge”.

Rarely do people share that leaving a job wasn’t their choice – but Ms Rothwell is.

The young worker said she knows some people might think being made redundant is “embarrassing” or somehow a reflection on them, but she refuses to see it that way.

“I think it is good to normalise the experience because it is certainly a journey of emotions,” she said.

Jen wants to normalise talking about being made redundant. Picture: Instagram/jen__rothwell

She's documenting her journey on TikTok. Picture: Instagram/jen__rothwell

She told news.com.au that she had 24 hours to prepare for her redundancy meeting and, when she was eventually told the news, she had already reached a level of acceptance.

“I was mostly shocked about the process in which it happened and how it was handled internally,” she said.

The young worker said the whole experience made her “sad” and was hard to process initially. One minute she had a job, and the next, she was unemployed.

“I was also sad that I was not able to say goodbye to my team properly and it was hard to explain to other colleagues what had happened as everyone was very shocked,” she said.

“That made it also hard to process, as it felt unfair that it was happening to me.”

She was also stunned to realise how “immediate” redundancy was and said it was hard answering calls the next day and explaining to people what had happened.

She's been sharing how she spends her free time. Picture: Instagram/jen__rothwell

The young worker said the whole experience made her ‘sad’ and was hard to process initially. Picture: Instagram/jen__rothwell

Despite the surprise, she’s now sharing her journey online as she hunts for a new job.

Often people, even on social media, will only reflect on their losses after they’ve had a win.

But the young worker is candidly sharing the nailbiting process of waiting to hear back from job interviews and how she is filling in her time now that she doesn’t have somewhere to be from 9am to 5pm.

Ms Rothwell, who has always been a frequent social media poster, decided to be transparent about losing her job because she didn’t see enough of it in Australia.

“It was never thought to lie about it – I have been honest and upfront about the whole journey as it was something I never expected to happen. I also don’t think you hear of many people being made redundant in the Australian job market,” she said.

Ms Rothwell said it is “hard” finding a new job and she’s already spoken to around seven different recruiters.

“It really does knock your confidence as you apply for jobs you know you would be great for but never hear anything back,” she said.

“It is also hard on your mental health. There are only so many times you can refresh your emails or refresh the job feed in one day. Having all this time to yourself really makes you get in your head.”

Jen is now finding it hard to snag a new role. Picture: Instagram/jen__rothwell

Ultimately, she reckons getting a job would be easier if she wasn’t looking quite as hard, but she knows if she keeps trying, she’ll get there.

“As they say, it is easier to find a partner when you aren’t looking and the same can 100 per cent be said for when looking for a new role. But you just have to keep hustling.”

Kate Jolly, global head of talent at software company Employment Hero, said that there can be a stigma associated with being made redundant.

“The stigma around redundancies often stems from a misconception that job loss equates to personal failure, which is far from accurate. Economic fluctuations and organisational changes are often the root causes,” she said.

“All that being said, redundancy is still never easy and often the toughest part of being made redundant is getting back on the horse.”

Ms Jolly said the best way forward after being made redundant is to be proactive. Brush up your resume and get into the rhythm of going through the interview process again.

“Start by refining your resume with clear, impactful descriptions of your skills and experiences, ensuring it’s tailored to the job you’re applying for. Also provide references where possible,” she recommended.

“During interviews, practice responding to common questions to highlight your strengths, adaptability, and problem-solving skills. Researching potential employers and understanding their business and values can also set you apart.

“Remember also that every interaction is an opportunity to demonstrate your value and fit for the role.”