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Original poster

Need a handhold today- might lose my job

65 replies

WhinnieThePoo · 21/11/2024 07:37

Long story short, my company has been going through a period of change this year. In March we all got an email saying we were affected in March, not affected then but would be in September, or not at all. I was told September. Well the September deadline got moved to October, which then got moved to November and apparently today is the day. Sometime today I’ll get an email saying if my job is changing or if they’re getting rid of it completely. That’s all the formation they’re giving us today. Then next week, they’ll give more information about how it’ll change (if it’s changing) or which jobs I can apply for/a redundancy package (if the job is gone). I’m literally shaking with fear. We are already living paycheck to paycheck. Without my income we will lose the house. I know that there might be other options, and if I’m fired then there’ll be redundancy, but I’m so scared. This is the only place I’ve ever worked. Started straight out of uni, I’ve never even done a job interview. I’ve been loyal and worked hard and feel so let down by the entire thing.

I’ve been looking for other jobs for months, but nothing will fit around the children like this does. I’ve stayed out of loyalty and because I love my job and now I’m feeling stupid because they’ve treated me so badly.

I don’t even know when they’re going to tell me. Just some time today. I just need to get everyone out to school and work and then I can sit and wallow and refresh my emails until something happens. I’m so scared

OP posts:
DustyLee123 · 21/11/2024 07:45

Have you worked out how much redundancy you’d get, so you can prepare for the worst?

Radiatorvalves · 21/11/2024 07:51

I’ve been made redundant twice (most recently last week). Get the most you can out of the company… can you get an increased package? Can the tax free element be maximized (£30k but only for the compensatory element, not notice pay). Also do they offer help with finding jobs/writing CVs and LinkedIn profile?

Either way, if the worst happens, make a plan. How long can you survive? And what are the options. You may have to compromise. However, sometimes it can spur you on to better things. Good luck!

Catza · 21/11/2024 07:59

Sounds like you worked for this company for a long time so you will either a get a nice redundancy package or you won't be in a firing line as it is typically last in - first out.

boulevardofbrokendreamss · 21/11/2024 08:03

Last in first out is a myth.

Op have you been through a proper consultancy period? How many people are at risk?

curious79 · 21/11/2024 08:05

Get your CV together and start interviewing elsewhere. This will give you the practice you need and you can start exploring what your options are. You may have to accept that childcare arrangements will need to change.
But don’t just sit there pretending to send emails or whatever it is you said you’re going to do. You need to take control of you.

CamillaCanterbaum · 21/11/2024 08:06

I'm sorry your going through this its an awful worry. However, one thing I have learned is loyalty gets you nothing these days, so time to be practical and business like yourself. Ensure you get the best package possible if you do get made redundant. Start applying for other jobs, I know it's hard but other options need to be looked at, such as the dc father working more flexibly for school collections etc?

I hope it all goes OK but if I was you I wouldn't be able to sit about much longer I'd need to take control and get myself in a more secure job.

HelenHen · 21/11/2024 08:06

I'm sorry OP. Hopefully this will spur you on to get something with better pay. Many employers are a bit more flexible about supporting home life. All you can do is make sure your CV is up to date and relevant to the jobs you're applying for. You'll likely get enough pay to tide you over for a couple of months. It will be ok x

randomchap · 21/11/2024 08:06

Are you in a union?

GabriellaMontez · 21/11/2024 08:10

How long have you been there? Have you worked out what your redundancy package could be?

rainbowstardrops · 21/11/2024 08:34

I'm sorry you're feeling so awful @WhinnieThePoo Hopefully your job will be safe but maybe make a concerted effort to find a different job after this.

CheekySwan · 21/11/2024 08:50

DH got made redundant last year after 26yrs with the company. He didn't get as much redundancy as we thought - I'm not clued up it to be honest. Are the company downscaling because they are in trouble financially or is it a restructure?

If you register with a few recruitment agencies they can help you out producing your CV

Is your job niche market or is it something with transferable skills?

It may be worth looking around even in if they do not finish you.

Let us know how you get on

ChateauMargaux · 21/11/2024 09:06

Breathe.. we are here with you, you will find a way through this. Some decisions have already been made and there are decisions that will have to be made in the future.

You will get through this. When you know what the proposal is, you can start to make decisions.

Hold on. Breathe. Let go of all of the thoughts and questions. When you know more, take one question at a time. Step by step you will find a way.

Original poster
WhinnieThePoo · 21/11/2024 09:29

Thanks everyone. So far not heard anything except lots of people asking eachother if they’ve heard.

yes I’ve looked at my redundancy package. I’ve been here just over 20 years so it’s ok, but not enough for us to live on for more than a few months. Company is downscaling for financial reasons. They overstretched under the previous CEO, new one came in and has said it’s cut back or collapse. In the earlier redundancies it seemed really random and they got rid of vital roles that had lots of staff, so it’s put even more pressure on the rest of us these last few months.

there’s no union and they fired the heads of all the departments a couple of weeks ago (despite saying they would keep the management team to support the staff)

the only plus is that with a consultation period if I do get fired it won’t be for another month or two so I’ve got my wage coming in for Christmas

OP posts:
MrsPinkCock · 21/11/2024 09:50

Your redundancy package including notice is worth about 8 months pay though - that should give you plenty of breathing room!

Original poster
WhinnieThePoo · 21/11/2024 11:42

So I have been told that my job is going. They’re starting the consultation period next week, but are providing no further information about what is happening until then. I’m devastated

OP posts:
ThatsNotMyTeen · 21/11/2024 11:46

Redundancy is scary been through it a few times myself. You’ll get something else. Often it works out for the best x

ThatsNotMyTeen · 21/11/2024 11:48

To be honest it’s probably better to go now and get some money. It’d be shit if you stayed and you’d always have the fear of it happening again. Fingers crossed you’ll get something else to start at the end of the notice period and you’ll have a nest egg. You’re in a decent position with 20 years service even if it doesn’t feel like it right now xx

CheekySwan · 21/11/2024 11:49

WhinnieThePoo · 21/11/2024 11:42

So I have been told that my job is going. They’re starting the consultation period next week, but are providing no further information about what is happening until then. I’m devastated

I'm so sorry to hear this! In your OP it mentions jobs you could apply for/redundancy? Does this mean there will be a few open positions you can apply for within the company?

PaminaMozart · 21/11/2024 11:51

I don't want to kick you while you're down, but you've known since MARCH that the writing was on the wall!! Why have you not used this time to write your CV, apply for jobs, go for interviews, investigate childcare options - even just as practice, so you'd be able to hit the ground running if/when your worst fears were realised.

Insidelaurashead · 21/11/2024 11:53

Okay, OP, breathe. I went through this 18 months ago and it was awful, but I am currently about to celebrate being in my new job for a year, and I love my new job.

My advice is work through the following steps, as quickly as you can so you'll feel more in control, but if this takes a few days, that's fine.

  1. Ring your mortgage company. Explain you're about to be made redundant. Ask for your options. Mine gave me a payment holiday or the option to go interest only for 6 months, and I chose the second one, because financially that made the most sense for me. I promise you they'll want to help, they do not want you to lose your home.

  2. Go through all bank accounts, look at outgoings. Note down what is a need (like utilities, internet, food shopping) and what is a want (netflix, spotify, gym memberships?) Cancel the wants as much as possible.

  3. Contact the needs-especially utility companies. If you for example are in credit with your gas and electricity, consider getting that credit refunded. Yes, fine, it's there to help with your bills over the winter, BUT you will be able to pay more into that account once you have a new job, and credit in there now might pay another bill

  4. Go to the entitled to website and put in your circumstances to see how much benefits you can claim

  5. Use your necessary outgoings figure, deduct the figure you'll get from benefits, see what the shortfall is each month.

  6. Look at your company's redundancy policy to see how much you'll get. Remember redundancy is tax free, notice period is taxed like normal. Work out how many months of the shortfall between income and expenditure will cover.

When I'd done all this, I worked out I would be totally okay, albeit watching what I spent on food etc, for 6 months, with all bills paid. I found a job in 4, started it in 5 (with a delay because of a pre-booked holiday)

You'll get through this, you honestly will

CloudPop · 21/11/2024 11:56

Excellent post @Insidelaurashead - some very good and practical advice there

twistyizzy · 21/11/2024 11:57

WhinnieThePoo · 21/11/2024 11:42

So I have been told that my job is going. They’re starting the consultation period next week, but are providing no further information about what is happening until then. I’m devastated

You are entitled to 8 months pay with the length of service you have. Use the next week to sharpen up your CV, create or update your LinkedIn profile, register with as many agencies as possible
Getting a new job is hard work but you aren't facing an immediate cliff edge so view this as an opportunity to get a better job.

Doggymummar · 21/11/2024 12:00

Depends where you work. I was at a big American bank and redundancy pay was a month a year for the first ten years and then 3 months a year for every year up to 20, then six months a year. Plus if you are over 40 you get more. Staff with ling service were jumping at the chance to leave, because guess what, in six months when they realise they made a mistake you could be rehired! I kid you not it happened over and over again.

LunaCoyote · 21/11/2024 12:03

Sorry to hear it Op. is there an HR advisor who can calc roughly what your redundancy is? You’ll get that tax free remember - it’s a lot for 20 years of service!

Plus if you have annual leave that will be paid out

Oochiewalla · 21/11/2024 12:11

I was made redundant in 2021. I was devastated and worried. I had worked for my company for 14 years and it fitted perfectly with my life and children. However it really was a blessing in disguise. I got enough redundancy to take around 9 month's off which I had planned to do, as my youngest was only 1. Through a contact, I was offered a job the next day, with a shorter commute, less hours and a better salary. Try not to worry too much, sometimes this push is what you need to find something better. Best of luck to you ❤️