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Has Employment Become Disposable?

Updated: Jul 5, 2024

Has employment become disposable?


Research suggests that approximately 55,000 Australians have lost their jobs in 2024. Who are these companies?


The list of companies, featuring a who's who of large corporates & government departments, is not the full list. A very large cross-section of companies of varying sizes & industry sectors have had to make cuts.


The list includes:


  1. PwC Australia - Over 350 staff redundant following a tax scandal​ (Tech.co)​.

  2. Milkrun - Shutdown leading to over 400 job losses​ (Tech.co)​.

  3. Optus - Significant staff cuts, approximately 200 employees​ (Tech.co)​.

  4. Medibank - Approximately 300 employees made redundant as part of restructuring efforts​ (Tech.co)​.

  5. DXC Technology – Significant staff cuts, approximately 300 employees in the ANZ region

  6. Telstra - Announced redundancies impacting 2,800 employees to modernise operations through the deployment of AI and workforce offshoring. 25 percent of Telstra's Enterprise division will be impacted​ (Tech.co)​.

  7. Qantas - Around 1,700 staff cut as part of restructuring plans​ (Tech.co)​.

  8. ANZ Bank - Approximately 600 employees made redundant to streamline operations​ (Tech.co)​.

  9. Woolworths - Layoffs due to strategic shift, affecting around 500 employees​ (Tech.co)​.

  10. Coles - Implemented redundancies impacting about 450 employees due to market changes​ (Tech.co)​.

  11. Australia Post - Announced job cuts, affecting approximately 400 employees​ (Tech.co)​.

  12. Westpac - Workforce reduction involving around 800 employees​ (Tech.co)​.

  13. NAB - Redundancies impacting 600 employees to streamline operations​ (Tech.co)​.

  14. Commonwealth Bank - Approximately 700 employees made redundant due to economic pressures​ (Tech.co)​.

  15. Rio Tinto - Staff reductions affecting about 500 employees due to operational restructuring​ (Tech.co)​.

  16. BHP - Announced job cuts involving 450 employees to improve operational efficiency​ (Tech.co)​.

  17. Woodside Energy - Staff redundancies impacting around 300 employees as part of cost-cutting​ (Tech.co)​.

  18. Santos - Workforce reduction affecting approximately 350 employees due to economic pressures​ (Tech.co)​.

  19. Lendlease - Announced job cuts affecting 200 employees to focus on core business areas​ (Tech.co)​.

  20. GPT Group - Staff redundancies involving around 250 employees as part of restructuring​ (Tech.co)​.

  21. BlueScope Steel - Layoffs due to market conditions, affecting about 300 employees​ (Tech.co)​.

  22. NBN Co - Reported significant losses, leading to job cuts involving 250 employees​ (Tech Business News)​.

  23. Cloudwerx - Acquisition led to staff cuts at Lightfold, affecting 150 employees​ (Tech Business News)​.

  24. Local Councils - Implemented staff redundancies to manage budgets, affecting around 600 employees​ (Deloitte United States)​.

  25. Water Corporation - Employee layoffs reported due to management decisions, affecting 150 employees​ (Tech.co)​.

  26. Australian Unity Funds Management - Impacted by ASIC's stop order, leading to job cuts of approximately 100 employees​ (ASIC)​.

  27. Energy Australia - Staff cuts involving about 200 employees due to market changes​ (Tech.co)​.

  28. Sydney Water - Announced redundancies affecting 180 employees as part of cost-cutting measures​ (Tech.co)​.

  29. Transport for NSW - Job cuts impacting around 250 employees as part of operational changes​ (Tech.co)​.

  30. VicRoads - Staff reductions involving 120 employees due to restructuring efforts​ (Tech.co)​.

  31. Queensland Rail - Approximately 150 employees made redundant due to budget cuts​ (Tech.co)​.

  32. Department of Health - Staff cuts affecting about 300 employees as part of restructuring​ (Tech.co)​.

  33. Department of Education - Redundancies impacting around 250 employees due to funding changes​ (Tech.co)​.

  34. Department of Defence - Workforce reduction involving approximately 500 employees due to budget constraints​ (Tech.co)​.

  35. CSIRO - Staff cuts affecting 200 employees as part of strategic realignment​ (Tech.co)​.

  36. Australian Taxation Office - Redundancies impacting 300 employees due to operational efficiency measures​ (Tech.co)​.

  37. Bureau of Meteorology - Approximately 100 employees made redundant due to budget adjustments​ (Tech.co)​.

  38. Department of Agriculture - Staff reductions involving 150 employees due to restructuring​ (Tech.co)​.

  39. Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC) - Job cuts impacting around 120 employees as part of cost-saving initiatives​ (ASIC)​.

  40. Department of Home Affairs - Workforce reduction involving 200 employees due to strategic changes​ (Tech.co)​.

  41. Australian Federal Police - Redundancies affecting 100 employees as part of budget cuts​ (Tech.co)​.

  42. Department of Environment - Staff cuts impacting 150 employees due to funding reallocations​ (Tech.co)​.

  43. Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC) - Job cuts involving 200 employees due to funding cuts and operational changes​ (Tech.co)​.


But why?


It's easy to be critical of organisations who cut employees. Let's face it, the process of redundancy & contractor terminations or non-renewals is not easy or enjoyable.


  • Some say it's the pendulum swinging back from the post-COVID boom.

  • Others point towards poor demand, economic pressures & the need to reduce cost.

  • Some are executing restructuring with the objective to streamline operations.

  • Others talk of technological advancements & automation

  • Some blame global business pressures, the need to offshore workforces and other external factors.

  • And, while they won't admit it, others need to address poor planning, execution & workforce management.


Either way, this is another reason for why people need to be loyal to themselves rather that to their employers - you never know when you're time is up.


It's essential to always stay ready for job market disruption!


Need help to stay job market ready? Reach out to Talentology & check out our CareerAGILITY job search coaching service.


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