One Thing I've Learned .... We need to be adaptable when employers change

A LIFETIME OF LESSONS

One thing I've learned ...

We need to adapt when employers change

One thing I have learned is that if you stay in the fitness industry long enough, employers are going to change. Over the years I’ve taught classes in many facilities, and for many different organisations - leisure centres, governments, councils, private businesses, and not-for-profits, and I’ve seen a lot of changes. And when there is change we, as casual employees, have a couple of options - we can adapt, we can bury our heads in the sand, or we can get out.

While there can be a time and place for making the decision to move on, and I understand it can sometimes feel easier to try and ignore the problem, I’ve found that the best way to move forward is to embrace the change and adapt. What we have all had to learn and adapt to over the past three years has been incredible, and I know that there is a lot of digital fatigue now from virtual meetings, online training, and constantly learning new systems. I know at one fitness centre there is an app for timesheets, another app for team updates, and a third app for class bookings - not to mention the different websites for updating personal information and qualifications. It’s exhausting! But it’s also what keeps us learning and growing (and, to be honest, keeps us in a job!).

If you’re working in a council-owned leisure centre, management can change every three to five years when the new tender comes up and is awarded to someone different. Similarly in a government or council setting, elections can bring in new leadership with new directions and new budgets and new management styles.

This can be a really unsettling time for instructors, I know.

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For many of us, the first question is usually, “Am I going to still have a job?”

In all my experience with changing management, for fitness instructors the answer has always been yes. Rarely will new management come in and clean out the casual staff, as we are the ones who are usually keeping the participants and members happy - we are the face of the facility, and the reason why many members keep coming back!

Most of the time there are information sessions and communications sent out to current staff to keep them informed and allow them to register their interest in staying on. If you know there is movement at management level, make sure you keep an eye out for these opportunities to speak to new management, and make sure you let them know you want to stay. You might also book in a chat with your supervisor or coordinator for a chance to ask questions about your situation - they might not have all the answers, but hopefully they’ll be able to find out for you.

The second question is often, “What is the pay rate?”

Once we know we’ve got a job, we naturally want to know if the new contractor will match the previous pay rate. Make sure you confirm your new pay rate before you sign your contract, and understand any changes they are making to employee benefits, staff training, perks, and the like. Most often there are changes here as each employer has different HR policies - sometimes it will work in our favour and we get more than the previous employer, but sometimes we might be offered a little less. Once you have all the information, you can make the decision as to whether you want to stay and adapt to the new conditions, or you’re going to make a move.

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Next will be, “Do I get to keep my classes?”

I’ve seen new management come in and nothing has changed on the timetable, but I’ve also seen it happen the other way where they either come in with energy abounding, or with budget cuts, and changes are made. You might not get to keep your classes, you might get offered new classes - this is a great opportunity for you to assess your own timetable and look at what you like teaching, and see what areas you might like to get qualified in. If an opportunity arises for you to change a class time, or move to a new location, or try a new workout style, I encourage you to take the opportunity to adapt and grow.

After there has been a change in management, it can be that we continue coming to the same location, to deliver our same workouts, to the same participants we’ve known for years. But sometimes there are a lot of changes happening behind the scenes that can be really challenging.

I understand the uncertainty and anxiety that can come from change, especially when it’s around your employment. What I’ve learned though is that embracing change has helped me become more resilient, more skilled, and more confident. I encourage you to stay positive when change comes your way, to say yes to new opportunities, and to be brave as we all continue learning and growing together.

Carol has been working in the fitness industry for over 50 years and has a raft of qualifications and experiences on her CV. Her blog, 'A Lifetime of Lessons,' aims to share just a little of the wisdom and experiences she's picked up along the way. If you'd like to connect directly with Carol, email her at [email protected].

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