Tell me your positive redundancy stories

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I was made redundant a while back and I'm left a bit devastated but I'm trying to remain upbeat and positive (as much as I can anyway) tell me your redundancy positivity posts! Did you land a better job, better hours, better working conditions, did you retrain and end up in a different industry ? Tell me how looking back on it, redundancy was a complete turnaround of great events. Please

My dh used some of his redundancy money to do a course and then got a better job on more money with less travel.

I had a total rethink and got a job in a school which was something i'd always wanted to do. I had a much better quality of life.

Fantastic I'm really hoping I can get a new job in better money. That would be ideal! We'll done you it's so encouraging to hear

My DH retrained as a teacher - best life move ever. I always said he should be a teacher, the job he was meant to do. Finally, redundancy made him do it. Of course, he loves it and is so much happier than he was in industry. He would never have retrained if he hadn’t lost his job.

I had a horrible two weeks of searching but I realised I was glad to be out of my job. I hated it but was just getting on. I ended up with a higher paid job and working from home. It could be a good change!

I'm really hoping I end up in a similar position To you all. I'm trying to reach out to companies and see. I can't retrain as I couldn't afford to start at an entry level salary which is a shame, my industry is well paid without sounding like a tossed

*tosser

I took a job afterwards that felt like one step back, but fast forwards 9 years and my salary has doubled, I've had 3 promotions, travelled all over the world. Redundancy was the best thing to happen to me.

The money kept us afloat until I started a new job. One that, in three years, doubled my salary and completely transformed the way I was seen and treated in the workplace compared to the original blazing toxic dump - where I was in actual danger on a daily basis.

Then DP's kept us comfortable until he got a new job that he really likes, is secure, great pension scheme and very transportable/in demand skills with spaces for progression.

A mate received enough in redundancy that he paid off his mortgage early and planned to take six months until he had to be working again, three until he started seriously looking. Two months and 27 days in, he was approached by a company who had seen his CV online - he started on a 48% salary increase where, instead of commuting into central London every day, he only had to roll out of the front door and walk 300 yards down the road. When they weren't offering him the pick of short term international roles fully expensed and in luxury accommodation, that is.

His only complaint about the place is that he has to put a suit jacket on when he leaves his chair. But they gave him a suit allowance when he started because they thought his interview suit wasn't high enough quality and they said he 'shouldn't be put into a position of disadvantage around management'. Four grand. To spend on clothes. And then he met his wife when she was at the place they chose for a works function, having been single for five years.

Redundant, mid 40s, after 25 years with same company since leaving collegevat 19. Hard work, long commute and very long hours. Was always terrified to leave even though I was stagnating there.

8 interviews all thanks but no thanks. Confidence at all time low.

Took 6 month temp planning job for over £15k less to get some FMCG experience, think I only got it because temp, I knew their systems and it was low risk for them. Extended to 9 months.

4 weeks before I was due to leave I met someone in another department who had a vacancy she thought would suit me and I was offered a role in their systems process improvement, did 4 years there then offered job in IT. Earning more than twice my original salary with old company, mortgage paid off with dunny payment, left to get on with it, brilliant manager, better work/life balance and WFH whenever I want (only been half a dozen times this year), compressed hours/Friday afternoons off.

Good luck, it is scary but it can work out for the better.

Redundancy was the best thing ever for us. But that's because of the type of jobs that we do - could be done as freelancers.

We were both fed up in our jobs, but you really can't walk away from a good job when you've got a mortgage and kids.

So when I was told Sorry, we have to let you go, but here's a big whack of money - it was like music to my ears.

Four months later exactly the same thing happened to DH.

Best thing ever. We set up our own businesses, doing the same as what we had been doing, but doing it for ourselves now, hope office, and the flexibility of taking time off for personal stuff - school, appointments, coffee with friends, whatever.

My redundancy payment kicked off me starting to save money for the first time in my life. I didn't get a massive payout, but I it was enough to stash away and I've been adding to it ever since. Before that, I was never a saver.

I'd been in my last job for 10 years and although I often thought about making a move somewhere else, there were many positives to my last job and I was always scared I'd regret leaving, so I didn't. Being made redundant forced me to get a new job somewhere else and I definitely found the change really gave me a new lease of life. Meeting new people, new surroundings. It's that old saying, a change is as good as a rest. I don't think I'd have been brave enough to make the move if I hadn't been forced to.

Redundancy was my best career ‘move’. I was pretty devastated initially but with some good fortune managed to land a fantastic role 10 mins drive from my house and a 60% higher salary vs my previous role. In the six years I’ve been at my current company my salary has increased again by two thirds. I’ve managed to pay off much more of my mortgage because of this extra income. I also used the redundancy money to do the same. I can send my kids to private school. I’m now late 30s and pretty much mortgage free. It was a decision that was made for me but this fork in the road changed our life. It sounds dramatic of course.

Set up my own business. Never looked back. Good luck.

I took a break for a few months - I'd not done that in 25+ years (not a sob story, I mean I'd taken a weeks' holiday at a time, but just never had reason / opportunity to take several months off work prior).

Then joined another company (same sort of industry, not quite a competitor) at a much more junior level for a temporary role, eventually took a permanent role & 18 months on now, I've more than "caught up" in terms of seniority & salary etc (if that's a priority for you). And a far better environment to work in - which is worth a lot in itself, not that it pays the bills - but I had to be out of the old place to see the difference.

In short, not as scary as I'd always feared - but do appreciate that specifics make a difference, my redundancy package allowed me to do all of the above. If I'd had less of a pay-out then clearly I'd not have been able to afford the luxury of time off, then a part-time role etc

My redundancy was the deposit on our new house (well when we were in a position to move a few years later - I just made sure we didn’t touch it no matter what). Im now in a role with way more flexibility; have been promoted twice and am at double the pay of my last role (in 6 years). Couldn’t have worked out better! Keep the head up! Best of luck op!

I was made redundancy last year from the travel industry. I'd worked in travel since I was 17, had already been through redundancy and I was devastated. I switched industries, and I have never looked back. I love my job, I enjoy going there and have been treated (paid) far better than I ever did in travel. When the right job comes along it will all fall into place, good luck!

I took redundancy after 11 years as a civil servant.

Got some qualifications in insurance.

Was made redundant again and ended up in a job that I love. Where I am appreciated.

I've now got a company car so no more MOT roulette.

I made more than double the salary of my previous posts. I also get a quarterly bonus.

It's been life changing

I've been made redundant twice in two years. The first time I was thrilled as I realised I worked for a bag of dicks, paid off my kitchen with the money and got a new job on the same money about three weeks later.

The second time I was made redundant and by mad universal coincide, that very day I was offered a job at the most amazing company, it's THE job, and I still can't believe it fell into my lap.

Just hold on. Things are coming!

I've been made redundant 3 times, one of which was voluntary. Each time I have got a better job afterwards.

I was devastated at the most recent redundancy (3 years ago) as it was a job I loved and never thought I would get something to match up to it and the people. But I got a new job that has turned out to be life altering and looking back on it redundancy was the best thing that could have happened to me.

I’ve been made redundant 3 times in my life.

1st time scary as just bought a house and only got 1weeks money. and a month off in Luke of notice. Had another job in 3 weeks paying double what I was earning. So all was good.

2nd time just after I bought a new house. Got equivalent of a years wages the got a call to go back working for them as a contractor on a 3 month contract that lasted 18 months then worked for myself for a year before getting another job.

3rd time got a super redundancy equivalent to 2 years money. Broke up with my partner and got a job 9 days after leaving again paying about double what I was getting paid been there now for nearly 10 years was hoping to get made redundant again but doesn’t look like that is going to happen so may well quit in the new year as our new boss is such a self obsessed twonk.

so I’d say it is scary but it will work out in the end.