Revered PR Shop Edelman Cuts 240, Mostly Senior-level

Like so many in professional services, the top public relations shop Edelman overhired during the epidemic. And, like so many of them it is conducting a reduction-in-force.

Bible of PR O'Dwyer's PR reports that laid off will be 240, mostly those at the senior level. On LinkedIn already some of that have reset their profiles to "open to work." Among them is Brittany Young, former VP of Social Impact and Sustainability. She expresses gratitude for having been able to have been part of brilliant teams. 

Head of Edelman Richard Edelman also announced that the organization is returning to the pyramid structure and making other changes to facilitate growth. 

At one time in the evolution of manpower issues, it had been those with "real jobs" such as at Edelman who had the status. I recall as a new freelancer in 1987 I was asked several times why I had left corporate. After all, my work product was good. 

Now there is a recognition of the unique benefits of freelancing. Here is The Wall Street Journal article on that. At the top of the list is autonomy. We control whom we work for, from where, and (most of the time) the fee charged. Often we gross less than our organizational colleagues but our work satisfaction tends to be quite high.  

Not that we freelancers ignore status. Whenever I received contacts from Edelman for freelance assignments I was over the moon. I was able to collaborate with such talent. And, in my next pitch for work I could mention I had just finished up a project with that public relations powerhouse.

My heart goes out to those who lost that piece of their identity. They may not find comparable jobs. 

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