Tips to keep emotions in check before redundancy consultation

[immghy]

I'm shielding and 20 weeks pregnant, got my second redundancy consultation this morning by phone call, and I'm really trying to keep my emotions in check, any tips? Thanks

Anyone?

Honestly, if you cry, you cry. It's redundancy, it's crap. You're at home so make yourself comfortable and have a glass of water and a box of tissues to hand.

Do you have support from a union?

make a list of your questions so that if you get emotional you can just work your way through them. Remember its your meeting to ask what you need to and make any points that might make a difference eg "can I reduce my hours", "can I job share?", "are there any vacancies at the moment in other areas of the business?", has the company asked for voluntary redundancy applications?"

Or a friend? In normal circumstances you are allowed either a union rep or friend with you in these meetings for support. It can be so helpful as a bit of support for you and they can listen and note down things you might miss.
You can also give them your pre-prepared questions to read out in case you get too upset. I think having this backup in place is important as it gives you a better input into the process.

If this would help you, you could message your manager and ask for the meeting to be scheduled via Zoom on another day. You can be calm and firm about this, don't accept them saying it is the only day. Then you could give the details of the person to be added to the Zoom meeting invite. No need to have your camera on in the meeting if you don't want to.

I'm all done, not good news, even though I knew that I probably was gonna make me redundant, it's hit me harder than I thought due to the scoring criteria that they used and they marked me down in everything.

Chin up sweet, obviously its a damn hard time with the added stress/hormones of pregnancy and everything else happening. Take it day at a time - easier said than done in these difficult times - I know 💐

Are you in a union?

Sorry to hear that. Have you officially been made redundant? Is there any chance they’re doing this just so they don’t have to pay maternity money?

@BigPaperBag yeah I have and it wouldn't surprise me, as I have asked about making it till the 25th week so I could get smp but they said no. I'm currently 20 + 3