This is incredible: 26.5 percent of IABC members have lost their job in the last 12 months, according to an ongoing survey by IABC (that’s the International Association of Business Communicators).
“In March 2009, when the survey began, 10.92 percent of respondents reported they had lost their job over the last 12 months,” IABC member Liz Wilson wrote on her blog. “In June, the number rose to 14.29 percent and the most recent result from September shows a worrying leap to 26.54 percent.”
That’s a staggering number — one in four.
“Whilst the results are likely cumulative and based on differing samples,” Wilson said, “they still provide an indication of just how tough it is at the moment for professional communicators.”
Here’s the link to Wilson’s blog, which is featured on IABC Europe’s Web site.
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Comments (3)
Good point, Jeff.
Posted by Michael Sebastian | November 3, 2009 11:19 AM
Posted on November 3, 2009 11:19
I think this needs a little perspective. There were 162 respondents to the survey - of a 16,000 plus membership worldwide. I'm guessing people are turning to their IABC network (online and off) when they've lost their jobs and are drawn to the survey. That's my 2 cents on this.
Posted by Jeff Bishop | November 3, 2009 10:08 AM
Posted on November 3, 2009 10:08
Extremely bad news for communicators and tragic for IABC, since so many memberships are paid by corporations. It's sad that more companies don't see the value in active communications until there's a full-blown crisis.
Posted by Elaine Symanski | November 3, 2009 10:01 AM
Posted on November 3, 2009 10:01