Over twenty years ago, my family packed up our lives in the north of France and moved to the south. I was 16 years old — a difficult age to leave your friends and the world you know behind — but that moment shaped me and, ultimately, my future. We moved because my dad had left his previous job, a job he had given so much to, and he needed a fresh start. A new beginning. A chance to rebuild after being let down by an employer he had trusted for years.

Both of my parents found new jobs within months, and I remember their determination, resilience, and unwavering commitment during that transition. Since settling in the south of France, they stayed with those employers for more than two decades. They remained loyal through the highs and the lows, believing that hard work, dedication, and consistency would be met with respect, dignity, and humanity.

But life proved otherwise.

In different circumstances and at different times — my dad last year, and my mum this year — both experienced deep disappointment. Their careers ended earlier than planned. Not because they lacked commitment or capability, but because financial decisions ultimately outweighed human considerations.

Their experiences have stayed with me. They have shaped how I understand the world of work and the complex, often fragile relationship between employees and organisations.

And yet, I remain deeply grateful. My parents passed on strong working values to my sister and me: dedication, resilience, integrity. These qualities have guided us throughout our careers and helped us find our own paths to success.

Where is the balance?

We often build our identity around work. So when the job disappears — redundancy, restructure, or early retirement — what happens to the part of ourselves attached to that role?

Who are we without the title, the routine, the team?

Watching my parents navigate the end of their careers forced me to reflect on commitment, identity, and what it really means to “give back” to a corporation that ultimately values profit over people.

From their experiences, I developed a simple framework that helps me — and hopefully others — stay grounded:

L.I.F.E.

L – Link with People

No matter how strong a system looks, it’s always people who support you when it matters.
Build trusting, human relationships with your line manager and colleagues.
It’s those relationships — not the structures around you — that help you feel seen, supported, and safe.

I – Instability Awareness

Work can change suddenly. Roles evolve, restructures happen, organisations shift direction.
Holding awareness of impermanence doesn’t make you cynical — it makes you prepared.
When you recognise that things can change overnight, you’re kinder to yourself and more intentional about where you invest your energy.

F – Foster Your Network

Your network outside your organisation is often the one that helps you bounce back.
Friends, mentors, former colleagues, industry peers, community groups — these people create the safety net that a company can’t always provide.
Fostering your network isn’t opportunistic; it’s human.

E – Enrich Your Life

Your job is only one part of who you are.
Hobbies, passions, friendships, creativity, sport, volunteering — these are what keep you grounded when work becomes uncertain or overwhelming.
When the structure of work pauses, these are the parts of life that hold you.

And I’ll be honest: this wasn’t natural for me. During both of my maternity leaves, when I wasn’t working, I felt disoriented. Without my role, I struggled to understand who I was. I know Gen Z is far better at building identity beyond work — but for many of us, finding this balance still takes conscious effort.

So let me leave you with a few reflections:

• If your company went into liquidation tomorrow, who is in your network to support you?
• What activities, relationships, and communities do you nurture outside of work?
• Where does your identity come from — and is it diversified enough to protect your wellbeing?

Because commitment is beautiful.
But so is protecting your sense of self, your belonging, and your future — beyond any organisation.