Need a handhold today- might lose my job

[WhinnieThePoo]

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

So sorry OP, others have given better advice than I can give, so I’ll just wish you good luck for the future

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)

this is no help to OP in this actual situation, but maybe for her and others reading: you can join a union at any time whether or not your employer has one in the workplace or "doesn't recognise them"

The union can give you rock solid advice on any number of situations that may arise at work, up to and including arranging legal representation in court if needed.

Oh no. I'm so sorry to read your update. You must be in bits.

I can give you one piece of advice - it's my mother's advice. She always struggled for money as a single parent. We really struggled. But she said to me, worrying doesn't make any money. She was determined to be zen in the face of crisis.

I know it's really hard, but you'll have times in your life of lulls and highs. I'm certain you'll get back, maybe even to a better position than before. I've heard that you often get the best chance at a pay rise by changing companies and that's certainly been the case for me. You've got loads of experience and a huge demonstration of loyalty on your CV.

I really wish you all the best. If you need to just focus on today, that's ok. You don't need to solve your whole future this afternoon.

Keep your chin up, kid, as my mother would also say.

Really sorry op. It's truly a shit shit feeling. Like the bottom of your whole world has fallen out.

Me and DP, my dad and brother all got told on the same day we were losing our jobs. We were devastated. But people told me it would be ok. And it was. We both got jobs and because of it we had enough for a deposit on a house so finally moved out of HA.

There will be a silver lining even if you don't see it yet. But I'm sorry. It's never a good time, but before Christmas is really shit x

I was made redundant a few years ago. I was lucky in that i got a month's salary per year worked, and that was nearly 20 years. I did a course so i had a plan B, and planned 3 months off before even starting to look for work.

Cut down outgoings as much as possible and did a bit of decluttering/ re-evaluating. Then got another job. It's not easy, but the money gives you a bit of breathing space.

Now you know, it is easier to come to terms with things. Good luck.

I'm sorry it's not turned out as you hoped.

If the company is making so many changes and in financial trouble it might well be the best thing to get out and have at least some redundancy package to go with. Often work life is pretty miserable for the ones kept on who are expected to just keep things going.

I'm sure you will find something else.

I'm not sure this is helpful unless the OP is able to time travel. Can you not imagine being scared and holding tight hoping things will work out, as they often do?

OP I have been through this twice and it is horrible. What I can say though is I don't know anyone who has been through redundancy (if there's a decent package) who wouldn't say they were glad it happened, a year down the line. It opens a while new world of opportunity. Get applying for jobs and you may walk into something without having to dip into your redundancy pay at all. Your redundancy pay would give you the buffer of being able to accept a pay cut if necessary.

I was in this exact same position this time last year having been in my job for 20 years so I know how scary it is. I got another job within a couple of weeks which as it turned out, is a step up, more money and i enjoy it far more. It is in a different sector than previous and I was so nervous but a year down the line I love my new job and it has turned out to be a blessing in disguise for me. Remember where one door closes another one opens.

It is rubbish to lose your job even when you have been through several months or years of it might or might not happen. It's good that you will get redundancy as that will cushion the first few months while you look for a another job.
Let your Mortgage company know if and when you are made redundant as they can be really helpful at times like this. Then get ready to tighten your belts and cut costs where you can - cancel subscriptions, downshift on the shopping (if not already doing so) and that kind of thing. There are jobs out there that can work around childcare so maybe WFH would be a good option for you.
I was in your situation for the best part of five years - horrified because had a mortgage to pay - and my employers finally bit the dust 2 years ago and we all lost our jobs. During that time we had the heartbreaking job of watching as the buildings were emptied and sold of all equipment, furniture, teaching materials - everything. It's a weird feeling seeing stuff disappear out of the office until we literally had lot stickers on the very chairs we sat on - ready to go the day after we finished. But as others have said - sometime change like this moves you onto different things and a whole new outlook on life. Wishing you luck OP.

Wow.
And from the OP,
"I've been looking for other jobs for months".

IME it's rarely last in first out, as the last in are usually on a lower wage, and therefore more affordable to keep.

^ All of this, OP, just in case you missed it. Great advice here.

Also, OP/anyone else in this situation, you can find out your legal minimum redundancy entitlement here

https://www.gov.uk/redundancy-your-rights/redundancy-pay

This doesn't impact your actual contract, so if your terms and conditions say a month per year you've worked there, for example, then that's what you'll get, but if you have no idea or have been told it's the legal minimum, that link will show you.

I used to work for a union, before I worked in the job that made me redundant. I was on the employee forum and had supported colleagues through redundancy the year before. Could I think clearly when it impacted me? No, i could not

So sorry for you op. hope something come sup for you. I think a lot of places will be struggling in the next few years what with the NI hikes. We have been sent a doom and gloom email from our CEO today ( Charity sector) which has got us all worried for our jobs.

A little update because people have been so helpful. We had our meeting today and my team is reducing from 6 to 2, with no reduction in workload. So I have to chose if I want to apply for the role and go against my colleagues for an impossible job, or take my measly redundancy pay. I’ve been looking for jobs seriously and there’s literally nothing that I’m qualified for that fits around kids needs. Feel like I’m stuck between two equally shitty options and no good choice.

How old are your children? I know you wish to be there for them, is there a way you can say yes to a fulltime job?
Can your partner work flexibily for a while,

Last in first out is hardly ever used these days because I could amount to indirect age discrimination and/or indirect sex discrimination. It’s rarely justifiable.

My friend was made redundant twice in the last 5 years. She is no spring chicken but not an older woman either. She was the newest member of the team in both instances and was the first in the firing line after company restructure. She is not a crap employee either, 15 years in a highly specialist role with regular CPD behind her. Luckily, her mortgage insurance includes amazing payout in case of a redundancy so she is currently taking a year out.

Measly redundancy pay? You're getting 8 months worth and most, if not all, could be tax free. That's not measly.

Redundancy is awful experience, but I can honestly say that most people I know (including me), it all turned out well in the end

You should get good redundancy, so I don't understand why it would only last you a few months. Tighten your belts immediately and it'll go further

Don't leave sooner than you have to - measly redundancy money is better than no money. I've had colleagues that have left as soon as things got dicey and they missed out on payouts that would have been very helpful.

But if you are concerned about money start tightening your belts now. Don't buy presents for anyone you don't have to, (even up on kids presents only perhaps) and make sure the kids know that things may be a little lean this year. You and your OH don't need to give each other anything. Check if anything frivolous can be returned asap. Downgrade from the fresh free range organic turkey to an Aldi frozen one.

Check where your Olio and community fridges are - there's some amazing things available that will help make a very festive Christmas.

Then sit down and think clearly about what help you can get job-wise from friends, family, old colleagues. Anyone at your book club or DD's ballet class talking about how hard it is to get staff.

AND keep in mind that a LOT of people decide over Christmas that they hate their jobs and so a lot of shifting about starts early in the new year. Look for that perfect opening.

fyi - 3 redundancies side stepped in one company before I jumped and then 4 in another before I jumped for joy at being made redundant at 64 and was paid to take early retirement. 2 years later I'm working elsewhere and things are still all getting paid. Redundancy money has bought me a car when I needed it and later cleared my mortgage. It's not all bad.

Great advice from @SmudgeButt OP.
Don't panic, start planning and prioritising. Good luck x

Hi OP, I haven't read all the responses, just yours. But I was made redundant after 14 years, 6 weeks after I returned from maternity leave (I had effectively been replaced). It was also my first job after uni. I was devastated.

The advice I was given was to fight for as long as you can stand as they are obliged to keep paying you during the process. I raised a grievance- this bought me a few weeks as they had to complete this process first.

I managed to find another job whilst this was happening and then accepted the redundancy .

It's now 8 years later and that redundancy was genuinely the best thing that ever happened to my career.

Good luck

This is very common OP. I got made redundant when my children were small. I was so stressed out about it. I lost almost 2 stone in about a month. I couldn’t sleep and just thought how on earth would I get another job around my kids

but honestly after 3 months I was in a new role and I haven’t looked back.

get your CV in order and get cracking. You might be able to get a salary uplift in a new role which can pay for more childcare. it will be ok but just make sure you negotiate the best package you can.

I hated that job anyway so blessing in disguise.

Do not resign and go for something else!!

Just wait until you know, if you are made redundant, take the redundancy and then get something else - anything. You can change again down the line. But do not walk away without the redundancy.