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Original poster

Just been made redundant

86 replies

limescale · 18/08/2025 07:45

Lone parent.
One months notice.
Should get 2 months redundancy.
I work for a Hong Kong company, so I’m under their laws.
Need to find a new job. Sharp.
I have a 16 yo at home (26 yo as well).
My divorce 9 years ago wiped out savings. I do not have a big buffer to fall back on.
😢😢

OP posts:
CC222 · 19/08/2025 14:20

Bless you @limescaleit really is a horrible overwhelming feeling of dread. Give yourself all the self care you need until the emotion passes, and give that emotion space when it comes up again. And in the times it passes, that’s when you should tackle the job hunting. As PP said, you absolutely can use your work time to look for new jobs. I have each time I’ve been made redundant (happened 3 times to me so far). They can’t reprimand you for it, they also do not need to know. You don’t owe them any loyalty at this point, setting up your next move is more of a priority than fulfilling work commitments. You’re allowed sufficient time off for interviews etc also…
Going for a run later is a great idea! It will help release some tension.
Have you got any nice plans for the weekend? I hope you do. Don’t let this stop you enjoying precious moments especially with your little family. ♥️

Original poster
limescale · 19/08/2025 14:42

Thank you. Not working means the one colleague in my direct team of 4 (who is in China and not fired) means it all lands on her, and I do feel some loyalty towards her.

I think DS2 and me will go to town at the w/e to get sixth form supplies for him.

Bless him, DS1 just collected him from town, he asked me how I was and said "it's OK not to be OK".

OP posts:
Original poster
limescale · 19/08/2025 14:45

So my manager (also fired) told me he's been working on his car all day and has basically thrown the towel in. Maybe I'll just finish up the thing I'm doing, get everything else in shape and get on with the next phase of my life.

I am rambling...thanks strangers on the internet for being kind.

OP posts:
thesandwich · 19/08/2025 15:03

That’s great that you’ve got a companion in the same boat. That really helps. And being active etc. It’s shock and grief you’re going through- plus fear.
Please make sure you eat.

Original poster
limescale · 19/08/2025 15:07

thesandwich · 19/08/2025 15:03

That’s great that you’ve got a companion in the same boat. That really helps. And being active etc. It’s shock and grief you’re going through- plus fear.
Please make sure you eat.

There are 6 of us in this sinking ship across different teams and varying time zones. We are a close group and supporting each other. I think I am the only single salary household though.

It's hard to eat when you're not hungry.

OP posts:
MaggieBsBoat · 19/08/2025 15:08

Oh OP I didn’t say that you were replaced by AI. Just that many many will in the coming years.

crossstitchingnana · 19/08/2025 15:15

My DH has just been made redundant too, goodness knows how you're feeling as I am bricking it here, and it's not my job. I am working but my wages don't even cover our outgoings and a DC at uni for another 3 years.

Good luck with the job hunting.

CC222 · 19/08/2025 15:35

Take a leave out of your managers book. Even if you don’t use this time initially for job hunting, just take a slower pace during working hours to focus on some self care.
That was also a lovely thing of your son to say, and very true too!

Original poster
limescale · 19/08/2025 17:17

MaggieBsBoat · 19/08/2025 15:08

Oh OP I didn’t say that you were replaced by AI. Just that many many will in the coming years.

I think I knew that (since you don't know what I do!), I was just being snippy. I apologise and thank you for clarifying.

I've had to apologise to my boys for being snippy quite a few times.

OP posts:
Original poster
limescale · 19/08/2025 17:32

CC222 · 19/08/2025 15:35

Take a leave out of your managers book. Even if you don’t use this time initially for job hunting, just take a slower pace during working hours to focus on some self care.
That was also a lovely thing of your son to say, and very true too!

I will do that. I have spent the last hour or so going through my finances, trimming back the easy things (charity donations, door step milk), pausing subscriptions (Prime and Audible) and renewing my broadband (I was not bound to a contract which I liked, but needs must).

It won't make a big difference, but it feels good to be taking control.

OP posts:
Original poster
limescale · 19/08/2025 23:51

Running club was the perfect way to shake off the funks. I have good friends and the track work gave me some feel goods.
I received the formal notice of my redundancy package which (thankfully) is what I was expecting. I know now that I will have some wiggle room for a few months.

OP posts:
beachwalkx · 19/08/2025 23:57

If it helps, I was made redundant along with my whole department recently so they could move it down south
i cried for a day and sulked about for a week or so

it absolutely sucked to see my job advertised but I start a new one next month which is a pay rise too

YourJoyousDenimExpert · 20/08/2025 00:32

So sorry you have this to deal with. If your DS1 is travelling, there may be an option to have short term language students to stay depending on where you are. It pays quite well.

CC222 · 20/08/2025 08:30

That’s brilliant OP, even little things to take control have a huge impact on your state of mind, it helps override the feeling of panic. And it’s great that you have reassurance of some pay out to cover you in the transition period. Hopefully things don’t seem so dire now, although of course disappointment of the unplanned changes will still be a natural feeling to have. But it’s happening, so all you can do is take little steps each day to work on your plan moving forward. You’ve got this

Original poster
limescale · 20/08/2025 08:42

beachwalkx · 19/08/2025 23:57

If it helps, I was made redundant along with my whole department recently so they could move it down south
i cried for a day and sulked about for a week or so

it absolutely sucked to see my job advertised but I start a new one next month which is a pay rise too

It does help to hear about how other people have come through these situations.
I wish you all the best in your new job.

OP posts:
Original poster
limescale · 20/08/2025 08:42

YourJoyousDenimExpert · 20/08/2025 00:32

So sorry you have this to deal with. If your DS1 is travelling, there may be an option to have short term language students to stay depending on where you are. It pays quite well.

Thanks for the suggestion, it's not really suitable for me though.

OP posts:
Original poster
limescale · 22/08/2025 11:56

Checking in.
It's been a very unsettling week, but I am doing OK.
Flip flopping between thinking it'll be OK and utter despair if it isn't.

I have an informal chat next week with an old colleague who is now pretty senior in a different company. There are some gaps in my skills for the position she is advertising, but I will swot up over the w/e. It is something positive among all the doom.

OP posts:
CC222 · 22/08/2025 13:55

That’s really positive. Just remember, skills can be learnt, project your desire to learn and progress when you speak with her.
Try relax this weekend. Stressing will just ruin your well deserved downtime

Original poster
limescale · 22/08/2025 14:41

CC222 · 22/08/2025 13:55

That’s really positive. Just remember, skills can be learnt, project your desire to learn and progress when you speak with her.
Try relax this weekend. Stressing will just ruin your well deserved downtime

Thank you. Absolutely. Formal interviews give me the cold sweats, but I can definitely shine in an informal chat.

I will spend quite a bit of time prepping for the chat, but also have some nice down time. I am so very thankful teen DS is here. We have a post-GCSE results day planned tomorrow (obviously planned well before this bomb went off) and I'll make the most of the still nice weather with a long run or maybe a lake swim. And I will clean.....this is what I do when I'm stressed.

The solidarity among the team who have been fired is amazing.

OP posts:
Original poster
limescale · 26/08/2025 12:25

I had the chat and will apply for the role, though they are interviewing already.

But, I just got invited for an interview for a position I applied for a couple of weeks ago.

I am wrung out, but I must carry on.

OP posts:
MaggieBsBoat · 26/08/2025 13:01

You are interviewing! That is fantastic. All positive steps. You shall overcome x

Original poster
limescale · 26/08/2025 16:43

MaggieBsBoat · 26/08/2025 13:01

You are interviewing! That is fantastic. All positive steps. You shall overcome x

Thank you. The position would require relocating. DS (16) is adamant he doesn't want to move. It's too early in the process to consider that. Get the job and then negotiate. It's likely nothing with come of it, apart from some interview experience.

Spent all day applying for a position and in less than 20 mins I had a rejection. How can one not feel flat after that, yet have to carry on being all enthusiastic and 'excited about what I can bring to'.....

I shall go for a run.

nb I have not used 'excited' in any of my applications. I need a job and while I can bring skills, experience etc, it's just not my style to say I'm excited about the opportunity.

OP posts:
LittleMissNumber · 26/08/2025 17:09

limescale · 26/08/2025 16:43

Thank you. The position would require relocating. DS (16) is adamant he doesn't want to move. It's too early in the process to consider that. Get the job and then negotiate. It's likely nothing with come of it, apart from some interview experience.

Spent all day applying for a position and in less than 20 mins I had a rejection. How can one not feel flat after that, yet have to carry on being all enthusiastic and 'excited about what I can bring to'.....

I shall go for a run.

nb I have not used 'excited' in any of my applications. I need a job and while I can bring skills, experience etc, it's just not my style to say I'm excited about the opportunity.

Show quote history

Just addressing the part about a rejection after only 20 minutes, maybe this is AI application screening? A few months ago I was applying for jobs after 20 years in the same job, I was applying for loads and getting nothing back and very quick rejections no interviews at all.

It was very depressing but after some research i realised that most companies use AI screening and you need to make your application and CV AI proof so it didn't get just auto rejected. Once I did that I got two interviews and a job offer within a week!

Good luck with the hunt 😊

EBearhug · 26/08/2025 18:10

At least you got a rejection many just don't respond at all. Although I did get a rejection from one over a year later...

medievalpenny · 26/08/2025 18:17

I was going to say similar about AI screening.