Dealing with the emotions and uncertainty of redundancy

[OfUselessBooks]

Hi, I'm hoping that someone will be able to help me out with practical tips on surviving redundancy. My world feels as though it has been turned upside down at the moment. I'm so scared about the future and regaining the security for our family that we've lost. We have managed to build up a small safety net for our finances, so we're not in an immediate mess, but we are going to have to make some tough and brave decisions to remain that way. My career is a disaster and there are no jobs in my field at the moment. I haven't had to think about direction for over a decade as I had a secure job, and having to deal with this at the moment, alongside planning our finances and dealing with everything else that's going on feels too much.

If anyone else has gone through this or is currently doing so, how do you cope? Sometimes I feel ok but others I'm just a mess.

I decided to take voluntary redundancy after 10 years in my job. Although it was my decision, I did wobble throughout the process and it still wasn't easy.

We are all going to have ups, downs and sideways in our careers, but nothing is forever and whatever job you have to take now doesn't have to be what you do forever. There is a world of opportunity out there and I have had the chance to work in some amazing organisations since my redundancy.

I work in HR and I know that redundancy is always being talked about in the background. Even in times of relative financial security, management are considering new structures etc. So, I think its important to remain marketable and to keep your eye on the exit, no matter how secure you believe your job is.

Totally agree with purple. There is a world of opportunity out there, but it is a case of accessing those opportunities at the right place right time etc.

No job is secure in my view and as long as you can pay the bills and enjoy a reasonable quality of life, then I think that’s okay.

I expect you will have built up a good set of skills over the years and ones which can be transferred to other industries and fields? Maybe begin with identifying those, along with checking out job specs which look interesting?

Can you retrain? Take a sideways step somewhere? Afford to take a pay cut?

I left teaching over a decade ago. I have had a few jobs since but nothing which has paid anywhere near what I was earning in education. However, I did not want to spend my working life under scrutiny and being micro managed.

It’s all swings and roundabouts I guess.

Good luck.

Having been made redundant from 2 stable jobs in the past, each of those has opened up opportunities that I wouldn't have benefitted from had I not lost my job.

See Change as a challenge to rebuild, develop and rethink what you might be good at. It does take energy and emotional strength when you've not needed to think about work for 10 years, but it will be work it when you find something that fits your skill set.

You can do it!

worth it

Thank you...I know that if everything works out then this could be the best thing that ever happened to me. I'm struggling with feeling rejected and unappreciated, as well as scared that we could lose our house (although we're ok for now). It's just such an awful thing to happen. Hopefully if we get through this first bit i will feel better soon and one day come to think of it as a good thing. X

I totally feel you .. I have just been through the redundancy process and it is brutal. The range of emotions I have felt was intense. Sometimes I'm ok and other times I feel broken.

I don't have much advice to give you other than everything works out in the end, the fear is never as bad as the reality.

I wish you all the luck in the world x

Thank you Remmy, it's very kind of you to answer. Sorry it has happened to you too.

I keep thinking how we are ok compared to a lot of people. I have long service so a reasonable payout, we have savings and insurance. I feel very bitter towards them though. And it's hard not knowing what will happen next. But we will be ok and I will look back and we will have got through it. X

Yes I also feel bitter ( Ben eith them for over 10 years) didn't even g ET a call from boss to say goodbye

Your route back to financial security might not be the one you expect.

When I was made redundant from chemical manufacturing after 24 years in the same company (saying I was bitter does not come close!), I researched companies in my area and found Life Sciences and FMCG were popular so focused maonlyon these.

A 6 month temp contract to backfill a secondment came up in a FMCG company, much much less than my previous salary. I had used the software they used before and blagged myself the job, thinking 6 months would give me some experience and insight to FMCG for future interviews and I could still apply for permanent jobs while there.

Contract was extended to 9 months when the incumbents secondment was extended. I attended some internal training and got chatting to the trainer and they told me I would be a perfect fit for a higher band role in another department. I applied with their recommendation, secured a 1 year temp contract followed by a permanent one, then during a reorg our team got moved into IT along with another upgrade of band/salary and I've been there for 7 years.

Still not quite on the same salary as before, but it is a much better job and place to work for with, more benefits, freedom to work own hours, WFH when required and a lot of flexibility which fits in with ds and caring for my now elderly mum, both of which I wouldn't have got at my old company and is priceless.

Good luck with your search, obviously going to be harder during covid, think about your transferable skills, open your horizons and consider everything.

@OfUselessBooks I’ve just found your thread when looking for advice about redundancy. I sincerely hope everything has worked out for you now. Do you have any words of wisdom for someone going through it right now?

Hi @Paddybare , sorry this is happening to you too.

Two years in and from my point of view its true when they say that it all works out in the end.

We decided to sell up and move back to where our parents lived. We stayed with them for a while and eventually bought a new house, in a much cheaper area.

As we were on the verge of moving, a job came up in the new area so I was only out of work for 4 months in the end. It pays less but the hours are better and there is much less stress. My husband was out of work for a year, so things were very tight for a while (still are in some ways), but we are OK.

I'm a planner and I think what got me through it was having a plan and taking matters jnto our own hands. Work out what benefits you will get and plan for the worst while hoping for the best. Apply for everything that you are entitled to, and don't wait to do it (we could have got universal credit several months before we did).

Is anyone else going through it with you? A few people were made redundant at the same time and I am still in touch with them. It helps to know it's not personal.

It's tough to live through it, but you will get back on your feet eventually. Xx

@OfUselessBooks Thank you so much for your thoughtful reply, I’m glad things worked out well for you.

I’m currently switching between feeling utterly terrified and then excited for future possibilities. I’ve taken your advice and checked what I’m entitled to and have brushed up my cv and starting applying for new roles which is keeping me busy.

There are a few of us yes so that helps in some way that we are all going through the same thing together.