Redundancy again… please tell me this gets better

[JukeboxJive2]

Hi all,

I’m having a proper wobble and could really do with some AIBU-style straight talking and a bit of hope.

I’ve just been made redundant for the second time in a year. Yep. Again. I honestly feel like the universe is taking the absolute piss at this point.

Jan 25 - restructure resulting in settlement
Jan 26 - position being eliminated, poor profitability forces restructure.

First time I told myself it was bad luck, market issues, not personal. This time it’s hit much harder and I’m questioning everything. My confidence has taken a battering and I’m oscillating between calm acceptance and being in sheer panic about my future.

Please can you share your stories where things actually worked out. Redundancy that led to something better, a sideways move that became a win, career wobble that turned into a glow up. Even “it was awful for a bit but I survived” stories welcome.

I don’t need practical advice right now, just some positivity and proof that this isn’t the beginning of the end.

Please be kind. And thank you in advance, I’ve seen Mumsnet deliver a virtual hug just at the right time previously and I hope that’s today.

I've been made redundant once. My next role was contracting, paid at double my previous salary, where I stayed for close to 4 years on and off through 2 pregnancies and mat leaves.
And also, virtual hug

Remember the role is made redundant and you’re collateral in that decision.

I was sacked last year. (Ie not just redundant) working again now. Less money but zero stress. Not sure I would have chosen this, but I've survived. Booked all my holiday periods this year already. Trying not to define myself by my job.. which I was probably guilty of

I was made redundant in July, I've just started looking but it's bleak. Even my job coach said its the worst job market in 30 years.

Virtual hug to you from one who is currently redundant right now :(
I really feel for you with this being your second time - once is bad enough!
I have 3 applications in for jobs, 2 of which I am over qualified for but they are in an industry I have never had anything to do with. The 3rd one I have heard nothing back from so expect my application will go nowhere.
I have focused on getting fit and have enjoyed that bit. I have found over time (was made redundant in September last year) that my friends from work have gradually drawn away a bit. I know they are busy and I am… not.
I am doing some voluntary work and have met more people in my local town.
Anyway - look after yourself- it is not an easy time.

I’ve been made redundant twice.

The first time was 7 years ago. I hated that job, it was so stressful! But I’d just bought a house with DH and hadn’t exchanged yet so it was very bad timing. I was lucky and found another job very quickly and had extra money to use to buy furniture and redecorate.

The new job was at a smaller company and I ended up gaining much wider experience, which was great for career development and met some great people.
Unfortunately they made me redundant while I was on maternity leave. (I’m still bitter about this!)
However, they messed up the redundancy process and I ended up getting 30k from them after inferring I would take them to an employment tribunal.
That financial buffer enabled me to stay off work until my little boy was 14 months old, which was amazing.
However it was so stressful job hunting and attending interviews as a first time mum with an exclusively breastfed baby.
I even accidentally slept through one first online interview as I was recovering from a sickness bug and so exhausted!

In the end I had three job offers to choose from.
My salary now is 10k p.a more than I would have been if I stayed in my old job. I’ve got much more in demand skills if I ever move on.

”Everything happens for a reason”
always sounds so trite, but in my case it always has.
Good luck OP. I’m sending you a virtual hug.

I’ve been made redundant more than once, financial services can be brutal! Worst time was when my DC was six weeks old.

However every time I’ve found a new job and even if it wasn’t perfect it’s been the stepping stone to something better. Depending what you do there may be contract positions that could fill a gap now and broaden experience. I find you approach those with a different attitude to permanent jobs. Just an idea. Good luck.

I’ve been through the process twice 15 years ago and it’s horrible. I’m about to go through it again, I can see the writing on the wall. Someone above has said the absolutely right thing, it’s the role being made redundant, not you. You will be fine, you will find something better and life will move on. And the bonus is that you will be more resilient for the future. Wishing you strength. You’ve got this. Sorry just to say, I was pregnant at the time and then had to go to panels and interviews 6 weeks post partum, after having a third degree tear and while dually incontinent. Sorry for the TMI, at the time I was devastated and really struggling. Looking back I just think how much of a boss I was to go through it all head held high.

First redundancy in 2016, took me 10 months to find something else, I ended up taking a job I hated out of desperation. Moved (voluntarily) after a year to something much better. Made redundant from that last May, I had 2 superb offers within 6 weeks. Started the job I’m in now in September, hardly touched my pay out, had the whole summer off with DC, now in my absolute dream job. Earning far more than I ever have. I have been very lucky this time round and I was geared up for it to be a nightmare finding something else (especially because I’m 50).

I read something a few weeks back that resonated, which is if your leadership team aren’t able to run a profitable business, that can support their employees, its them who have failed, not you. It made me feel a bit better anyway. Good luck finding something else - it sucks to happen twice in a year.

Thank you so very much for all of your words.

I know it’s not the end of the world, I know I will be ok. The potential financial struggle is of course a grave concern but we have savings, thank god.

I’m going to try and remain as positive as possible. ❤

I was made redundant in Oct 22, took a few months off and started a new job Feb 23, at the time I was distraught but it was the best thing to happen to my career.
I had zero work life balance and I now work compressed hours and get paid 30% more.

Made redundant May 2025, kept on until end of August
started new job in Sept 2025. Made redundant start of Nov 2025 as “overstaffed”
started new job end of Nov, and I adore it, it’s a totally new thing for me

This is such a swift timeline for securing new roles - well done! Really glad you’re enjoying your new career.

46 years of work, six redundancies, led to a great many opportunities, working in roles I never dreamt I'd have, meeting lifelong friends and to taking a temporary role (later made permanent) and meeting my DH, best redundancy ever! Made me grab every opportunity to upskill, embracing change, and never fearing what next. See it as a step forward and onto better.

It’s crap. Happened once to me, second coming up I think. Hard times OP. You’ll pick yourself back up. If you can, take time to think about the next role

This is the dream! My roles were already senior and well remunerated, I guess it’s tough at the top. Very likely I’ll need to take a pay cut this time but I’m holding on to the ‘everything happens for a reason’ philosophy 💭

This is such a great post. Thank you for penning!

You’re so right. I’m extraordinarily adaptable and always have been, resilient maybe not so much so I could do with toughening up abit.

The last redundancy I fell to pieces, this one I vow not to and remain hopeful that the best is yet to come. I love to learn, I love to meet new people and I’m very good at what I do - all things I need to remain cognisant of as I navigate stormy waters.

Thanks again 🤗

Yeah I don’t hang about!
I have realised a few things
take 24hrs to feel shit and wallow/cry/rage
then i started browsing the job sites, contacting people etc and started with interesting jobs close to home, then expanded that to further from home etc

first redundancy I did 1 interview, secured the role
second i did 2 interviews, 2 job offers and accepted the one that sounded different