Upcoming redundancy - what should I do to prepare?

[Soontobeunemployed]

I’ve been told I’m about to be made redundant in about January time after 9 years of service. I’m keen to go anyway due to an awful manager and should get £6300 as redundancy payment. I have decent savings so should be ok for a bit, with me not working I won’t have to pay nursery bills (£800 a month) as well. But the job market is tough atm, so just thinking if there’s anything I should be doing (besides curbing spending and saving as much as possible) to prepare myself for unemployment?

How much notice does nursery need? If you withdraw your child from nursery will you easily be able to get them back in?

No advice, more like musings.

If you have your child at home and want to apply for jobs how would interviews work? Do you have someone else to take them while you are there? Is it easy to get them back into the nursery if you find a job quickly?

Figure out if you want to go back? Or back to a different sector or role? If you have transferable skills you can take a month to think about things?

Brace yourself for January. The days are short and cold and most things that you can do out of the house involve spending money which will feel galling when you have none coming in.

Sorry if that’s all rambling and a bit rubbish because you seem like you’re switched on and might not need any of that!

Increase your credit card limits now while you still can just in case. Do you have any benefits with work that are ending? Eg do you need to get separate life insurance. If you have medical cover get your teeth/eyes checked now.

Is your employer offering any sort of outplacement support?

When I was made redundant this helped me to improve & update my CV. It did look a lot more professional afterwards. The technique used I have shared with family members who have also enjoyed success with it.

Some also offer courses which may help you to consider other employment options.

I would keep your child in nursery - you'll need time for applying for jobs and interviews, and you don't want to lose their place when you find a new job.

Do you want to stay in the same sector? Retrain?

If your payslips are stored with your employer make sure you download last year's P60 and this tax year's payslips.

You will need references for a new role. Your current employer should provide you with one (confirm with HR to whom this should be addressed).

Is there someone to provide you with a personal reference? I have willingly done this for former colleagues but it is nice to be asked first!

I found this book really helpful

https://www.eleanortweddell.com/book

Thank you all for your comments and advice.

Nursery wise I think they’re not full but I’ll check first before reducing his hours. My husband primarily works from home so he’ll be able to help out if I do get interviews.

Career wise I’m quite open to a sideway move, redundancy will open up some contracting/ freelance opportunities. I’m located in a rural area where it’s hard to get a job to match my current salary. But to be honest after a year of working for an awful boss, money really isn’t everything.

Thanks for the tips re references and payslips, I’ll do that.

You could update your CV and start casually looking for those freelance opportunities while the pressure on you is low. The market is really hard in many sectors, I’d advise not to underestimate that.

I got made redundant back in June. Started new role in September. One of the best things that could have happened. I had a hideous micromanager and she was making my life miserable. I now have a fantastic new role.

I put the payment into a savings account and 'paid' myself a salary to cover all the bills and some spending money.

Is the package statutory? Any chance to negotiate on that. Seems quite low for 9 years.

Good luck!