PRIA membership should be part of redundancy package for PRs, says institute

… or the PRIA could offer free memberships for those practitioners who have been made redundant. Costs them nothing, puts less strain on agencies suffering the effects of the global financial crisis and, most importantly, helps those who have been unfortunate enough to lose their jobs.

Bravo, Marklen – that would be a much more pro-active stance from the PRIA than expecting PR agencies to foot the bill, and would win the PRIA some goodwill to boot.

The PRIA, like most industry associations I imagine, runs on the smell of the proverbial and provides a hell of a lot of resources for members (and non-members for that matter). The PRIA already has a lot of goodwill because of this. I suspect ex-employers could also make a tax claim for the ‘gift’ memberships.

But it is correct to say the agencies/employers are being hammered as well (who isn’t…), so maybe a balance would be a reduced price membership. That way current PRIA members aren’t footing the entire bill for the new category of members.

It is a very difficult time for many in the PR sector. Some sectors have been hit badly (construction, banking, IT etc) and have, or are, laying off PR practitioners. However, other areas of PR are growing, such as digital or social media, Government relations, IR or ASX communications and there are many exciting niche opportunities: for example, any PRO with privatization experience or skills will be welcomed in Queensland (Premier Bligh has announced a huge privatisation program of asset sales). There are lots of free online newsletters/groups and (low cost) networking opportunities for PR people outside of the PRIA, for example, a networking group I started this year meets every month: http://thepublicinterest.ning.com

Ha, that’s a laugh. For those made redundant by smaller agencies, there are often no entitlements, no packages to speak of. Two week’s notice and then gone. Although I must say, the Next Opportunities program sounds like a step in the right direction.

Would many unemployed people really want to be lumped together with other unemployed people in a monthly session? If I was made redundant, I wouldn’t want to be recognised month after month, I’d be wanting to get a job quickly so as not to look like a dole-bludging, unemployed, has-been.

Hi Katrina,
To clarify: it’s a networking session for PR people, not unemployed PR people. Thanks.

Hi Glen, isn’t it is only open to NSW PRIA members who have been made redundant, fear for their job (nearly redundant) or want to make a career change (pushing to be made redundant)? Don’t get me wrong, anything to help people get back on the horse is a good thing. Seen too many friends go through that pain. Just hope it is pitched the right way.

Hi Katrina; it’s open to any PR people, no membership rerquired… take a look http://thepublicinterest.ning.com

Hi there,
Just to clarify, the Next Opportunities Program is for NSW PRIA Members ‘who have been made redundant or who are finding it difficult to gain employment as a result of the global economic downturn’.

The monthly sessions are a support resource run for whoever needs it at that time, it is not necessarily going to be the same group of people each month.

We hope to see none of you there!

Thank you Tim, the voice of reason 🙂

This is the best PR spin I’ve seen in ages! What a great way to drive memberships on the PRIA’s behalf…shame it is so transparent!

Why would you invest in staff you dont need anymore…wouldnt you invest in staff that are still with the company?

Fleur

Once again, at the risk of taking this too seriously…the PRIA’s mandate is to take care of its members. I should think a course such as is is proposing is doing exactly this. Being cynical towards this notion does not reflect well on those who choose to be cynical.

But it is a fair question to ask why would a company invest in ‘ex-staff”? I guess the only answer is that many companies provide assistance to ex-staff to help them find a new job and adjust to new workplace realities. The PRIA membership approach is just another way of doing this. Certainly, it doesn’t have to be specific to the PR industry.

There is a moral dimension to this. There is also a reputational dimension. Which is what public relations is largely about.

Many of the bigger companies already hire specialists to manage redundancies of staff. These companies help with refreshing resumes, job interview training, job applications etc – a great idea *if* the resources are there.
The PRIA offer isn’t a bad notion, but if your’e a small outfit you probably don’t have the $ to spare on exiting staff.
And the question has to be asked – what would this PRIA membership give an unemployed PR that’s going to ~really~ help them?

Having a PRIA membership means you have an increased number of opportunities to network with other PR professionals (e.g. at events) and promote yourself (e.g. through the PRIA newsletter through providing comment/articles). Plenty say this is probably a better way to get a job than waiting for a position to be advertised.

At this stage, in case it’s not obvious, I should say I am very happy to be known as a member of the PRIA. I have had great help from them over the years. They support the profession. But they can only do that as much as the profession supports them. Token cliche: you are either part of the problem, or….

My, my, everyone, someone suggests something of a positive nature, whoever ends up paying/offering the membership and for whatever reason, but I personally think it a damn good idea given some of the serious issues people are having to contend with.
Where’s the networking, goodwill or that other stuff called karma.
Who knows, sometime in the future we might just be one of those unemployed PR people…
I’ll support any endeavour to make good of whatever anyone can offer, especially in times like this. Well done for the suggestion.