Been made redundant for first time ever (but they said they'd have me back)

[1sttimeforeverything2]

So, I'm in my late 50s, been doing my job part-time and fully remote since July 2023 (so less than 2 years).

Company has been down on revenue since before I joined. That first Autumn quite a few people got redundant, pretty much all had been there longer than me.

There was another redundancy after that - again people who had been there longer than me.

Now, there is clearly another round of redundancies coming up as revenues have fallen through the floor with very little business coming through.

I got a call from my manager/HR and they said how sorry they were, no reflection on my work, they really value me bla bla bla and said that they'd like to keep door open when times are better (said this several times). Kept saying how sorry they were several times.

So, AIBU to think that even when not employed yet for two years, I should have expected some sort of indication that my work was not up to scratch before being made redundant (there has been NOTHING, never even mentioned in the 2 reviews I've had, they said they were very happy)?

I'm not going to kick up a fuss but what should I be aware of?

Feeling very low, never been made redundant before, not even close.

Sorry this has happened to you, it’s very tough. They are happy with you. There is no reason to disbelieve that. They obviously feel they have no choice. It’s the job which is redundant, not you. You have done well, and that should be reflected in your references.

Its not about the quality fo your work. You haven't been made redundant, your role has.
I know its hard not to take it personally but it doesn't sound like it is

I’m sorry you’re going through this. I think if they’ve said it’s no reflection on performance they don’t think your work “isn’t up to scratch” and therefore couldn’t have told you so. It sounds like the role is no longer viable for the organisation to maintain.

Redundancy has nothing at all to do with your work performance. So I wouldn't have expected any mention of being unhappy with your work unless they were. More likely they are making you redundant because there is no redundancy pay.

That said, although it isn't totally clear, I did notice you mentioned that in previous redundancies and on both occasions it was people who had been there longer than you. I wonder if that was "longer, but not two years" - because some employers make a practice out of ensuring nobody ever gains employment rights by making sure they are "redundant" before they get any.

But they said it's not about the quality of your work? We've had to make some top performers redundant recently. It's not about them, it's the fact that we can't actually pay their salaries anymore.

I've been made redundant 5 times and expecting to be made redundant again next year. So I consider myself something of an expert.

It is never personal or a reflection on you and your skills.

Hi OP,

Try not to take this personally (easier said than done). The fact you survived previous redundancy rounds vs other longer term employees is probably testament to how good you were at your job.

Redundancy isn’t to do with your performance. If they had performance concerns you’d be put on a PIP and the fired. Redundancy is going to be driven by the company’s failing performance.

Good luck in finding your next role.

Redundancy has nothing whatsoever to do with your performance. It's the job that's being made redundant not the person.

Its about numbers, not about your work.

A lot of places are culling due to the NI increase due to come into effect too.

I hope you find something soon.

The role is redundant, they no longer need the role. It's nothing to do with the quality of your work. Although as a pp said, maybe they do it to avoid you getting rights. Still if there's no money coming in you're better off out.

Without two years they dont even have to make you redundant. You are probably the cheapest person to cut. Sorry.

This isn’t about your performance. It’s a bit shit but move on as it happens.

I've been made redundant four times in my career ( charity sector). It feels like the the end of the world ( well, the first one did) but trust me, it's not.
Deep breath, and plough on.
Good luck.

Thank you for all your messages, really appreciate it.

I've had to make people redundant in the past during the financial crisis back in 2008. Really, really tough to have to do. Often it was a case of last in/first to go but we did also as a management team take some decisions and let people go who were not performing although we'd have followed a process, albeit brief, to get that across.

But I know times are tough and some sectors are suffering more than others and that people can be made redundant several times.

Very tough, but your messages cheered me up.

Yes, I think I may be the only person left in the company who has been employed less than 2 years and although PT on a high pro rata, so I guess it does make sense.

They are saying they would like you back if business improves. I've been made redundant several times by the same Investment Bank. Always as part of a downsizing. When the market picks up they have been happy to re-hire me. Redundancy isn't usually a reflection of performance. More of whether they can afford / could do without your role.

As often happens around here, first post nails it.

By the sound of it the business is in a lot of trouble and they have to cut costs quickly.

A proper redundancy process is time consuming and therefore expensive and they have to continue paying everyone while it's ongoing, so they are going for the option that gives them the quickest and easiest cost saving and that is by making those with less than 2 years' service redundant.

The repeated apologies and the comment about returning are further proof to me of that. They feel awful, but they have to cut costs NOW.

I would be making sure they give you a really good reference and allowing you time off for interviews between now and your end date. If you'd like to work from them again (and, honestly, even if you don't), make sure you just say "thank you - that would be great."

Thank you all for your very constructive (and upbeat) messages.

I've heard further and they have emailed and said categorically it wasn't based on performance and genuinely want to keep options open for the future.

Ours is an international firm but I'm guessing easier/quicker to let go of UK employees with less than 2 years of service.