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

You need to be selfish and think about you.

It's not going against your colleagues to apply for a job that you are qualified for.

Bear in find that if lots are losing there jobs there may be less work coming in too - so it won't be all the work. It will be stressful though. But gives you more time.

Really sorry to hear this. Very stressful situation. My best piece of advice is that while it feels intensely personal it isn’t personal at all and is business. I know it isn’t nice but they aren’t doing it to you (ugh they are) they are doing it for the company. A couple of things:

1. You are entitled to be paid for your notice period. Check what this is - maybe 1-3 months?
2. You are additionally entitled to one week for every year you have worked at the company so that would equate to five months.
3. You are entitled to be paid for any remaining holiday remaining.
4. So, you should be getting at least six months worth of pay.
5. The first 30k is tax free (redundancy rules are different for pay) and the rest is taxed normally. So, this should give you some extra money here.
6. You retain your benefits until the end of the period (formal end and notice period). Schedule anything you are entitled to hard enforce this comes to an end.
7. You are allowed to apply for other jobs and if you aren’t successful you are then made redundant on the points above. Going through that process may “buy you a few more weeks” of time for which you will be paid - get all of this in writing in case they try anything dodgy.
8. Gut feel is if you have been there for twenty years you will be very expensive to get rid of but you probably cost the most. Do you have a sense of your other coworkers.
9. You may be entitled to a mortgage holiday for a few months if you lose your job - you ,any want to look into this.

I wish you all the very best. All fingers crossed for you.

Yes I'm not sure why OP is talking about a measley redundancy with 20 years service behind her.

@WhinnieThePoo make sure you check out what's on offer because as redundancies go, 20 years service should stand you in good stead! 2nd the advice to take it, secure any job you can get if needs be and then look for something else more reflective of your skills.

remember - November and December is the worst time in the world to be looking for roles as people don’t really want to recruit before Xmas.

January/feb everything starts to pick up.

if this helps things a good place to start on what you might be entitled to
www.gov.uk/calculate-your-redundancy-pay

I understand, I went through something similar a few years ago, team was down-sized and myself and a colleague had to apply for the same job. At the time I was really worried about it as I was approaching 60 and felt I was on the scrap heap.

My redundancy package wasn't huge, but it was equal to about 6 months pay by the time I factored in savings in travel etc.

I decided not to apply for the job in the end, similar situation to yours, same work load but less staff. Funnily enough it was about this time of the year as well.

Once I had talked it through with DH and made the decision to take the money, I felt far calmer. I had a few months before the redundancy came into effect and I found a "stepping stone" job to keep some money coming in until I found something more permanent. I worked in a local shop, replenishing shelves mainly and sorting deliveries. I was there for quite a few months as they were flexible and it suited family life, and although the pay was less than I would have liked, it helped to stretch my redundancy.

I had less stress in my life which made finding another job less stressful and I was able to take stock of my life and pin point what I did and didn't want it to look like.

4 years on I am very happy with how it all panned out and I am very glad I got made redundant.

I would be looking for another job but dont leave until you get your redundancy pay if you can.
I wouldnt bother to apply for the job your in as it sounds as though the business is not going to last much longer with all the cut backs. Good luck.

in my 22 years of full time employment, I’ve worked for three companies and been made redundant twice - first after 17 years service, second time after 4.

A few things worth thinking about about/asking throughout the process:

• will there be the option of pay in lieu of notice? Whilst this part of a payout would be subject to normal tax and NI deductions would give you the time to 100% focus on crafting your CV and job hunting/interviews

• do your company offer outplacement support as part of their process (companies such as LHH) if so, take then up on it. They will review and feedback on your CV, mock interviews to dust off your skills, help with networking and even some retraining. Plus your employer has to give you reasonable time off for interviews once you are at risk.
• as you’ve now officially been placed ‘at risk’ does this give you operational redeployee status, meaning you have preferential status when applying for any other internal roles? Could there be a role in another department or function that might be suitable? Generally it means you’re usually guaranteed at least an interview and the hiring manager would have to explicitly show where your skills experience and potential to learn do not match with the requirement for the role to justify not offering an operational redeployee the position over other standard applicants. Obviously if your current role is a data analyst and your applying for a director role this wouldn’t be case, but for roles of the same or lower grades this is how it’s worked at my previous companies.

Change is always scary, but I can honestly say in both instances it’s been the best thing for me and my career - first change I got a better job and a 30% salary increase, second time an even better role that’s 100% home based and an additional 25% raise in salary. Plus would echo the good advice given by @Insidelaurashead

Good luck OP!

Do not panic. We’re approaching Xmas and generally speaking companies do not advertise jobs right now. Come January there will be far more jobs out there. You just have to hold your nerve. It will be okay

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

@FriendlyNeighbourhoodAccountant maybe I've missed something but how do you know it would be 8 months? If she only gets statutory redundancy that's a week for every year she's been there, which would mean 20 weeks pay if she's been there 20 years?

OP when you say you need a job around kids needs what do you mean? Many people work part time or just school hours.

Someone else mentioned 8 months so I assumed I'd missed something from the OP. However if she's been there over 20 years that's 20 weeks plus a minimum of 12 weeks notice period too. It's not to be sniffed at and really wouldn't be considered measly.

Thank you for all the advice. I’m going to sit down today and work it all out and get my head in a decent thinking space

I was trying to avoid being too specific but my eldest child has complex additional needs, it includes autism/adhd/global developmental delays and a physical disability. As a result they can’t manage after school clubs, we often have school refusals etc. my current job is very flexible and understanding about my personal life, especially since I’ve shown over the years that I am a good employee who works very hard. I’m going to really struggle to find another job that is as accommodating, especially as I’ll be going in as a brand new employee rather than someone who’s proven themself to be reliable and not take the piss.

for those asking about my redundancy pay- I went part time three years ago due to my eldest’s increasing additional needs, and returning after Mat leave. I thought the redundancy would be worked out based on my hours over the years, but it’s been based on my present part time hours. I should have realised it would be low, and it’s on the 20 weeks, not 8 months

Consider going self employed, which is what I do now. I currently get paid by 4 different companies each month. I don't do lots of hours for any of them, but added together it's a decent amount and I can wiggle the hours around to suit. Sometimes I am working out the house on a weekend, sometimes I am doing sales quotes on my laptop at 8.30 in the evening.

It doesn't work for everyone, especially if you need to guarantee a certain income each month but it suits me. I have a 22 year old son who is ND and still needs a lot of input and I really wish I had gone this route years ago.

One thing I do is support people in their own home. I signed up with a local agency via the local council. One lady I was working with last year needed life admin help, another gentleman needed a bit help with packing up for a move to a care home. My main source of income is admin tasks for a couple of small local companies. They don't want to take on permanent staff but do have regular tasks that need doing, which I do at times to suit me.

There are many options for different means of income.

Yeah I would suggest the time of the year coincides with financial year end so won’t be a coincidence.

Really sorry to hear this OP. I'm not sure if you said what you do job wise but is it something you could look to do on a contract basis (work for yourself) as you can usually pick contracts up quicker than perm roles and they typically offer flexibility.

A six month contract would give you room to look for a flexible permanent role.

Good advice has been been provided upthread so I wish you all the best and hope you can find something to suit.