I have the feeling I’m going to lose my job today.

[ThomasShelbysfagend]

I’ve never been unemployed.
Had many jobs for over 40 years but always been in a job.
Things have been happening over recent months at my job that have made me paranoid and a gut feeling that something is about to happen. Not good.

Ive a meeting today so will know by the end of the day.

What the fuck do you do when “let go”?
Ive been scouring jobs on every jobs board there is and.. nothing. Nothing at all suitable anywhere.

I’ve got professional qualifications, I’m senior enough in my role, but there isn’t anything.

Tips from anyone who has been in this position are very welcome.

So I'm finding myself in a similar position to OP. I am not currently a member of a union (though have been in the past) - would the union still help me if I needed them to help me in a redundancy situation within a fairly short time of joining? I'm perhaps too used to insurance companies which don't pay out if your claim was foreseeable when you took out the insurance but perhaps Unions aren't like that?

Good luck. You probably know by now x

Can unions help in redundancy situations?

I was 'let go' about 6.5 years ago now, I had only been in the role for 3 months but there was basically not enough work for me, so left at the end of the month with normal months pay.

Luckily I managed to find a temping job quite quickly, which then gave me the time to find a role I really wanted. I have been in the same job now for 6.5 years and love it and plan to stay here till I am retired! As they say one door closes and another even better one can open. Good Luck today x

I had this six years ago OP- company was shutting, everyone was being made redundant, but not until the end of the year for us so we had essentially three months notice at the time.

They encouraged us to take as much time as needed out for interviews etc. and although it was really sad winding up our work everyone went on to better things and in less time than you might expect! For myself I ended up starting a new role a month before the 'end' date.

It's scary and disorientating but looking back now it gave me a push into a better paid job rather than coasting where I was comfortable, and many others I worked with moved on with a pay increase too.

If it happens- keep yourself calm, work out next steps, try and be excited at the new possibilities you might find with a new employer.

good luck OP!

If it doesn't happen then use the time to Network network network !

You've been there a few years so if they make you redundant they need to go through the proper process and and give you the proper payout.

Give them a try.

You might find even the sniff of union might stop the train.

My employer behaved utterly disgracefully towards me and my union rep telling him all the areas he had broken the law in front of a staff member there to take the notes was one of the best days of my life because I knew my employer fancied her and he was looking ridiculous in front of her. He asked her to leave the room but I wouldn't allow this as I wanted a copy of the full notes as taken on the day.

I'm so glad I don't have to deal with him and his particular brand of 'employment'.

I've been made redundant 3 times in my career, although it wasn't so bad back when I was younger with no kids or husband.

You will be ok 👍 I think you need to see what they say first, then take it all.a day at a time.

There is always hope. These things have a way of working out.

My letter says they can come to individual consultations etc. I’m not using my union just because there is no way out my redundancy and we only get stat pay (min wage) so didn’t seem worth it

Oh wow, is that even allowed? I thought an employer can't get rid of you while on maternity leave or straight away when you return?

Unfortunately it is allowed, they had to ‘offer me an alternative’ which they technically did, but not in the same location, they offered me a similar role on return but it was 3.5 hours away, so would have been a 7 hour round trip and on the same wage, so would have cost so much more in transport. I did speak to Citizens advise who refered me to this other department who specialised in it. I basically was allowed to take ‘voluntary redundancy’ based on the fact I turned it down with “good reason”. I probably could have fought it if I went down the legal route but honestly after the year I had I just didn’t have it in me 😭

I was made redundant after 20 years. I got a new job within a couple of weeks which was far better and more flexible than my previous one. You will get something to else I’m sure of it.

This gives me hope as someone who was just made redunant 🩷

I've been made redundant twice both times it turned out to be a blessing.
I'm surprised by the amount of posters on here who don't seem to have insurance for of they ever cant work or get made redundant. Myself and my husband both have it and get a percentage of our wages for 12 months should we be unable to to work or get made redundant

it could be a blessing in disguise. I was made redundant (whole company went into liquidation). Was told on my birthday just before christmas!

Went into a panic but that week went to the local temping agency and they had just had a maternity leave request come in. That temp contract became a permanent job and I have been here 9 years now in a sector I would never have considered before and had several promotions. Redundancy was the best thing that could have happened really as I much prefer this job/industry and the company

Some great advice here and look at the ACAS website before any meeting so you have a good understanding of your rights.

For me personally it was just never getting around to it insurance wise, kept saying we were going to do it once we bought our house but some pretty severe life events just kept happening and it kept getting put on the back burner. Luckily I got 12 months full pay severance, so I’ll be okay for now, but it’s given me a kick to get some sort insurance sorted

I've no advice,but couldn't read and run
From one stranger to another
Fingers crossed ,I am really hoping your ok and you don't loose it x

If redundancy:
Negotiate for a redundancy package: ask for an amount for an employment lawyer to agree yours, or get one.

A good financial settlement plus job / recruitment coaching and support

Take stock: what do you need ( salary, by when etc) what do you want ( would you compromise on role or level? Good time to take a training course on something?)

If performance, get a lawyer and / or union involvement.

Stick up for yourself factually, truthfully and calmly

Don’t agree anything on the spot

Fingers crossed for you

Never been able to afford it and have a medical condition that means I can’t get much insurance anyway

I've been redundant and I've been fired. Both were steps onwards and upwards.

Stay civilised, polite, composed, no matter how you're feeling. Recommendations, references, your network - these will all benefit.

You have rights. Find out what they are. Union, ACAS, employment law experts may advise.

Take everything you can get out of them.

See this as an exciting new step, new stage, reinvention.

Let yourself process how you're feeling about it - it may include a grieving process.

Then repackage and polish yourself up and network network network.

Most roles of note are filled not by answering job ads but via your network. Not people you know - people who know YOU.

Give your CV a massive overhaul. A personal skills audit; what you achieved, are proud of, delivered.

Polish up your LinkedIn profile - it's massively important.

Beware age bias. I chopped a decade off the bottom of mine - felt very weird but you soon get used to it.

Join the conversation on LinkedIn - Connect, connect, connect, with the people you need to notice you.

Talk about what you do, believe, are, deliver. Share wisdom, advice, provocations.

All the best. Yes, it's tough out here. But there are ways of mastering it.

Best of luck, with whatever happens

Be alert to any sign of sexism, ageism, racism etc that could be in play.

I’d join a union and then take the with me to make sure it’s done by the book. You can essentially stall things a bit if they are being a bit dodgy. So you’ll have more time to look else where. Sorry you’re going through this. I can’t imagine they’re getting the best out of everyone if this is how they are acting!