“Nasty, Brutish and Short”: Why Unfair Dismissal Hits So Hard

In the 17th century, philosopher Thomas Hobbes described life without protection or order as “solitary, poor, nasty, brutish and short.” He was writing about society without rules or restraint on power. Centuries later, his words still resonate—particularly for workers who suddenly find themselves dismissed unfairly, without process, warning, or respect.

For many working people, unfair dismissal is not just the loss of a job. It is the loss of security, routine, and dignity. One day you are part of a workplace; the next, you are excluded, silenced, and left to pick up the pieces. Bills do not stop. Rent does not pause. Families still depend on you. The shock is real, and the hardship is immediate.

This is where Hobbes’ warning feels painfully relevant.

Workplaces are not equal spaces. Employers hold power over rosters, income, performance narratives, and termination decisions. When that power is exercised unfairly—through sham redundancies, retaliation, bullying, or rushed dismissals—the impact on workers can be severe. Without protections, the working life of ordinary people can quickly become harsh and unforgiving.

That is precisely why MYUNION and industrial protections exist.

Modern workplace laws, collective bargaining, and unfair dismissal protections are not bureaucratic obstacles. They are safeguards against arbitrary power. They exist to ensure that workers are treated fairly, given a voice, and afforded basic procedural justice. They are the reason working life does not have to descend into something “nasty, brutish and short.”

Yet too often, workers are made to feel powerless after dismissal. Many are told—explicitly or implicitly—not to challenge what has happened. Some are pressured to resign “by agreement.” Others are left in the dark, unsure whether what they experienced was lawful or fair. Isolation and fear take hold quickly when you are cut off from your workplace community.

This is where solidarity matters.

MYUNION exist to remind workers that they are not alone. That unfair treatment should be challenged, not normalised. That dignity at work does not end when an employer says “you’re finished.” Standing up after unfair dismissal is not about being difficult or ungrateful—it is about accountability, fairness, and respect for working people.

Hardship after dismissal can be overwhelming. Financial stress, anxiety, and loss of confidence are common and entirely understandable. But hardship does not mean helplessness. Workers have rights. Those rights are strongest when exercised collectively, with support, information, and advocacy.

Hobbes believed that order was necessary to protect people from the unchecked power of others. In the workplace, that order is created through strong unions, enforceable rights, and workers who know they deserve better.

No worker’s life should be made “nasty, brutish and short” because an employer chose convenience over fairness. Through collective action, advocacy, and solidarity, workers can push back—and reclaim both their dignity and their future.

Need help? Call MYUNION for a FREE consultation.

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MYUNION stands with workers when it matters most.