Redundancy 2025

[Cartwrightandson]

How is your institution doing? I recall last year there was a lot of redundancies and VS...

Rotten news, @Chrysanthemum5, I'm so sorry. People deliver this kind of thing so badly. I think they joke around because they feel uncomfortable or because they distance themselves so they don't feel bad, but it's so crap to be on the receiving end of it. Somehow things will work out for you, but right now you don't know how, and it's a sickening feeling.

Just to update I am being made redundant so the decision is now made for me!

I am so so sorry to hear that Chrysanthemum,

So unfair.
Will you be able to draw down the VS and get the bit more money?

--mary

Shit, @Chrysanthemum5 . I know it can be better long-term blah blah but right now, it's pretty horrible.

I can access the somewhat miserly VS scheme. I thought I was ok and handing the meeting fine but then it just got too much for me and I burst into tears. At that point I said I'd had enough and wanted to leave the meeting.

Lots of words about how sad they are etc but 25 years of service just count for nothing

Chrysanthemim5, I'm so sorry to hear your news. I know its been on the cards for a while, but it must be such a shock. In your position I would probably take some time off sick, you are certainly due it with the stress you have been under. And its not as if you owe them anything at this point.

Oh @Chrysanthemum5 I'm so so sorry. I think redundancy hits differently in academia - it's a vocation, and one we prepare for for years, and most of us get into our careers by the skin of our teeth. Even for those whose CVs look like a 'golden ride' have worked so hard.

And then the succession of stupid thoughtless governments just toss us away with very little thought.

I'm so sorry.

I think I"ve mentioned this before but there's a FaceBook group: WIASN (Women in Academia Support Network) and there are a lot of resources in there for people moving out of academia. (although they're evangelically TWAW & virtue-signalling/purity speech, but that shouldn't be relevant in this case).

So sorry to hear this. I agree I’d go off sick at this point. Fuck ‘em.

Take some time to look after yourself and think about what steps you want to take. I’m assuming you’re quite a few years off pension age?

Ive been thinking lately about what I’d do if in this situation, especially with the lack of academia jobs and the state of it all. I’d walk away from HE I think and hopefully find something in a totally different area. Private firms who need trainers/educators? Something related to my field? Civil service project type work? You will have a lot of transferable skills. Good luck.

@Chrysanthemum5I agree with taking some time off sick, it seems a clear move given what you have said and since they have seen the impact of it on you. Having been made redundant previously after 18 years of service I can say that it takes time to process and there is a loss of identity. The Facebook page sounds like a great forum, I started half marathon training - a bit mad but gave me something different to focus on.

I feel some loyalty towards my team and I want to make this transition as easy for them as possible. DH says I need to prioritise myself.

I have the first formal meetings next week and they have agreed DH can be my accompanying person. He's very intimidating and he will be pushing for them to put me on gardening leave.

25 years working for this institution and it matters not at all. I burst into tears in the meeting as I felt so patronised by their false protestations of sadness and appreciation for my work. I came out and lovely colleagues took me for cake.

I'm resigned to it now and will be doing the bare minimum of work if they make me work my notice.

Thanks all you've made me feel less alone!

I taught my last group of students tonight and obviously I didn't expect them to be my last! So sad but equally feeling quite free now I don't have to deal with all the shit any more

I agree it’s your dh , I bet you’ve spent the last 25 years putting everyone else first, working excess hours, etc and this is the thanks you get.

I suppose the only consolation is knowing it’s not personal, it is your position not you that has been made redundant.

I do understand wanting to help your team but SLT/people who are making these decisions can do that, they’ve made the mess let them sort it (I know they probably won’t). Or do a bit of covert unofficial support from your sofa.

Agree with DH too, gardening leave is a good option. Obviously it depends on your financial position and proximity to retirement, however it could be a time to do more of what you enjoy. I would be wary of feeling obligated out of a sense of duty to your place of work under the circumstances, your DH sounds like a strong negotiator who has your best interests at heart.

Yes, do put yourself first for once @Chrysanthemum5. They'll all need to manage once you're gone, and a couple of months of struggle are going to take more toll on you than them.

It's crazy how they do these things. We had a round of redundancies a few years back where it was announced that my role would be down graded, but that I'd be given the option to take redundancy if I didn't like it - I found this out in the meeting of several hundred people in the faculty. I was absolutely devastated and mortified, it felt like being abused in public as I didn't even get privacy to absorb the shock. As it happens, I fought the decision successfully, motivated by being a single parent and needing my income. It turns out they hadn't actually realised all the roles I did and were taken aback when I pointed out I wouldn't just keep doing them for a lower salary. However, that was the point when something in my motivation and loyalty just broke. I took my job so seriously, and I was just disposable. For all that I'm going to miss loads about my job, when I finally get free I'm going to leave with a big fuck you sign on my back.

Thanks all today I have done a fitness class met with a colleague to discuss his options under this shit show, read a magazine etc. work is taking a back seat for me now!

Great to hear.

I hope the initial shock is fading a bit Chrysanthemum5. And I hope you have a nice quiet weekend planned before the meetings next week. Please look after yourself. Its time to focus on yourself now.

Thanks shock has gone now and I'm just going to let DH help me get the best possible deal out of them. I think the people who are now in pools fighting for a reduced number of jobs are finding it much harder. For me it's done and now I can look at how to move forward

Speaking to the team at the university where I’m an external today about their redundancy strategy. All the Senior Lecturers are competitively applying for their posts that have been cut by 50%. Like a brutal game of academic musical chairs. Before Christmas

@theferry that is awful we had it hanging over us for months as well.

The callous way people in universities are being treated is shocking. I hope you get a resolution soon.

This is the issue, you’re scared of redundancy but the insane increase in workload makes things near impossible for those remaining. We’ve lost 40% of lecturers on our programme. The students are noticing a difference. I don’t particularly have time to update teaching material, a student commented about old references recently and they’re right. But if I update everything every year then i don’t get time to answer emails or mark, or course admin, or actually teach the increased amount of sessions I have to teach.

Dont worry @MoominUnderWater my university has sent an email to all students assuring them that these cuts will improve their student experience. So all good apparently 🤣

I’d love to know the logic behind that!

There is no logic. As my mother would have said the SLT know the price of everything and the value of nothing