Searching for new job when at risk of redundancy

[WorkerBee1425]

Pretty much the title! We’ve been told we are all at risk of redundancy but with those who want to take voluntary hopefully filling most of the places they need. I really enjoy my job and won’t know if I’m potentially at risk until the voluntary redundancy period is over at the end of March. Should I be searching for a job?

the AIBU is that some people have apparently had the wink wink that their job is safe, but I’ve met with my manager and was given the corporate response (no inclination if my job is safe). Would it be unreasonable to search for a new job at this stage? I’d rather stay but is not having the ‘nod’ when others have a bit of a sign I should?

Yes - look for a new job

Get your ducks lined up at least, CV updated including all the bits you'll forget if you're suddenly not working - results and key achievement etc.
Think about your network, is your industry one that shares on linked in? Drop the odd post there and add connections. Start looking at vacancies, no need to go in all guns blazing applying for everything but you don't want to be last off the starting blocks if the worst happens.

Looking for a new job is the safest thing to do. It doesn't mean you have to accept an offer if it's being made, but if you are indeed made redundant then you get the payout + potentially another job lined up.

Don't tell anyone at your current job that you're looking or if you get another offer. Wait for the process to be over and the redundancy papers signed off.

I’d put in for voluntary redundancy too

all that’s happens is the people left after ver have more work to do and less people to do it

so I’d bail and take the redundancy and then look for another job

And by the way, the "nod" that some have received is very likely because their role is not at risk anymore.
It shouldn't (and technically cannot) be because they have been "selected" over you for the same role. That would be in breach of the redundancy consultation process.

Definitely get your cv updated and potentially start applying, do not take anything though as I believe you can loose you redundancy payout if you have one lined up

My issue is there’s a lot of us who do the same role. It’s not teaching, but imagine there’s 8 science teachers at a school and a couple have been given the nod!

have you been there a long time? If you leave voluntarily they don’t have to pay you any statutory redundancy.

If you all do the same job then I'd be very surprised if any of them have actually been given the nod.

Then as I said that would be a breach of the redundancy process. You could try reaching out to your union, although I understand it would be difficult to prove.

Somebody suggested mind games from the ones who had apparently had the nod but surely that would be pointless?

Of course it's not pointless - they infer that they are safe, so those of you (incl you) panic more and choose to take voluntary, thus meaning those lot won't have to go through the process at all.

Personally I'd stick around, resolute in the fact I will see the whole process through (whilst job hunting in secret), and actively go for the whole redundancy process just to spite them, but I'm a petty cowbag.

Of course - it’s easier to find a job when you have one.

Because it spooks the ones who haven't been given the nod into thinking about looking for another job. Every spooked person that leaves, makes their position a bit stronger.

Definitely update your CV and start looking at what is out there, but don't be telling everyone, especially not the ones with the nod.

Evaluate what is out there and whether you might prefer to leave or stay, get that bit clear in your head.

Do you have enough savings to support a change of direction if you fancied retraining?

Lots to think about.

Is it possible they’re just talking out of their arses and haven’t been given the nod at all, just saying that?

It could be! I didn’t think of it until someone mentioned it, it just shocks me people would be so calculated!

There's also the aspect that management could be telling some people they're fine because they want them to wait and only have Statutory Redundancy/be vulnerable to messing around with their contracts.

Employers can and do tell people that they're fine and not to look for another job to make sure that staff don't leave them early and they are then vulnerable to either having their hours and contracts screwed around with nowhere else to go - or they miss any voluntary settlement and end up with only Statutory/the terms mean that if they get somewhere else at the usual start date, they have to pay back any money they've received (public sector can be bastards for trying that). They will also say that somebody's fine in the hope that they'll tell the others and encourage them to leave without taking their entitlement.

I've seen it happen and I've had them try to do it to me.

Trust no one in this period.

Definitely start looking for a new role and if it comes down to it with redundancy, get a lawyer early doors - not just the cheaply legal advice they'll offer, a proper lawyer.
I've been through the process and honestly was worth it's weight. Big company, assumed all paperwork etc was in order but the lawyer found so much that I ended up with over double what they were offering in the first place. Cost me £5k.

My (now-ex) employer suggested back in December the company was struggling and downsizing was coming. Even though I was as safe as could be, the wider context wasn't great...

I reached out to some contacts mid way through January, and signed an offer on Friday last week.

This past Monday, my ex-company announced they were halving the size of the company and needed volunteers.

I was packaged out yesterday, and start my new role in two weeks. Others left behind are now facing a very uncertain future.

So yes, as soon as hints are dropped you need to get moving. You have to remember that the company is always going to minimize how bad it truly is (we were told two months ago 15-20 may go, 70 ended up being let go in the end).

I was also enjoying my job, very comfortable, etc. But that's not really worth much when the company is done.

I was mid-consultation when I interviewed for another job and got it. I let the redundancy play out - and indeed pay out! - had a lovely Christmas break and started my new job the following January. Win, win!