I need to make redundancies at work

[RubberPlantPotStand]

And I feel utterly sick at the prospect.

It's not the first time. It will be the third time leading a process in my current role, and I have been involved in processes in other companies, although I didn't lead them back then. I know what to do. I know how to do it. And I know I have to do it.

But I feel heartbroken. No one is doing a bad job (and if they were that would be easier as performance management is much less emotionally harrowing, as a manager). It's a team of brilliant hard working people. But the ongoing weak economy has hit the business hard and the size we are at isn't sustainable.

It's a small business so I know everyone very well. I know all about their illnesses, their husbands' career struggles, the problems their kids are having, their mental health struggles. Absolutely none of this can be factored in. Of course it can't. But it makes it so difficult to put people through a process.

I know how to break the news, I know how to run the meetings.

What I was hoping for is advice from people that have to do it - how do you reconcile it? I keep saying to myself that it's for the good of everyone else, that there needs to be a viable business to support some of us, but it's not cutting much mustard third time around.

And people who have been made redundant - what helped? What didn't?

I'll pull on my big girl pants and get through, but right now, I'm just gutted.

THIS

At ikea they are grading people on a points system and only the people who get enough "points" get to apply for one of the new roles.

The way my husband is being treated is disgusting.

They are letting them go just before Christmas too.

My advice would be to avoid using ridiculous language like 'future proofing the business'...... (from experience). And expect to lose the best people who are not made redundant. They will not forgive you for putting them through the process, and may stay for a while but they will be quietly looking elsewhere.

Don’t drag it out, decide as quick as you can and let people know well in advance if they are going and when. I’ve seen redundancy process dragged out for a year - it’s not right. And yes to most money you can get for people and giving them work time to process it and apply for new work. Basically treat people as humans which I’m sure you will 😊

I was made redundant this year, I found out my role was at risk on an all employee call where they talked through the new structure and my role wasn’t on it. Would’ve been nice to get an email or heads up before

You’re asking how you reconcile it and that some people remaining employed because the company can’t support everyone isn’t cutting it this time. You’ve also mentioned about management chasing unprofitable contracts. Do you feel like you’re struggling to reconcile it because you feel bad management has left everyone incredibly busy, yet still being redundant?

If you feel that, there’s a good chance your staff will feel the same. I know you can’t necessarily acknowledge that in your role but I think there will probably be some people who might take voluntary redundancy if that’s the case.

If you believe poor management is the reason for the redundancies, I don’t think there’s anything you can do to reconcile it. You’ll probably be quite angry at higher ups for letting good staff go. I think you just need to try and get the best deal and conditions for your staff that you can. Believe you’ve done the best you can for them and hopefully it’s the last time you need to do this.

The perspective I once got on it was that as a manager you should never find these processes easy or straightforward. They should be difficult because what you're doing is even harder for the people on the other side.

As others say, keep it quick and transparent.

In terms of reconciling it, I just looked at it as necessary and that I did my best to do the best way possible. I don't dwell on it.

Don’t drag it out. We were told back in spring two people in our team are going and I know they already know who but don’t know who or when they will be told. Everyone is on edge with each other and trying to outdo one another with work loads. It would’ve been kinder just to get on with it months ago

I've had to make people redundant, and I know how tough it can be on them, and on you.

I am always completely honest, and tell them that whilst conditions have changed, ultimately it's a failure of the business to keep their role viable, and on behalf of the business I am truly sorry.

It might not help pay their mortgage, but at least it's honest.

You’re not cutting their jobs, you’re saving the ones that are left. Without reducing costs the business will go bust.

Is the exact thing you do not want to hear when you have just got the news.

Er, try reading the OP… she very specifically did not ask for advice about what to say “I know how break the news… run the meetings”, what she asked for is “how do,you reconcile it”

And that’s exactly how I’ve reconciled it in the past, hence my advice.

Been made redundant once and saved from it multiple times but still had to have the meetings to find out my fate.

It’s a particularly hard time to lose your job now so I don’t envy you.

It’s important to be factual and for people to understand the scoring process so they know they’ve been treated fairly. My manager was in tears when he made me redundant all those years ago and that helped in a strange way because I was left feeling like he cared about me, even though the company I was just a number.

I've been made redundant twice.
My recommendation is that you make sure they know they were/are valued members of the team, give them sufficient notice and talk through whether and how they should handover/work their notice.
Make sure the process of choosing an individual is transparent and fair.
When I was first let go, HR pretty much said "I guess you've seen this coming given the (financial crash 2008) - I didn't! - and then asked immediately when could I leave, 2 days perhaps? It really did make me feel like they thought I did nothing.
The second time I was "Bring it on! I'd had enough of this job 2 years ago"

Also for anyone under 2 years, do the right thing and no the bare minimum if anything (can’t remember if they can be let go without redundancy pay)

Agreed. DH was made redundant this year. He'd been there just under 2 years but the company gave him the severance money he would've got had he been the for 2 years.

What helped? Being given time during his notice period to do some online training courses to update his skills. The recruitment manager looking at his CV and giving some very useful pointers. Being given as much paid time off as needed to attend interviews during his notice period.

It's really tough out there and it took him months to find a new job.

OP - as you've gone through this process so many times, aren't you worried about your own job?

DH has been on both sides of this table several times. He’d advise.

Don’t beat about the bush.
Just tell ‘em.
Tell them the terms - pay off they’ll get, is it with immediate effect etc.
Give them a letter stating this at the time.
Thank them for their service.

Obvs anyone with access to commercially sensitive info needs to be supervised and accompanied out of the building asap.

Be respectful but professional and answer any questions! I was let go but the stupid half wit manager put me on a PIP beforehand to try and get me to leave of own accord! Totally bullied me and thought I was going crazy with he minor stuff she brought up as ‘issues’ after an unblemished record of 30 yeas. Thank god they made me redundant but they didn’t need to put me through that torture! In another job and am exceeding in new role so I know it wasn’t me, it was the business! Thank got you want to do right by them but some people will take it personally! Human nature!

Remember it's jobs that become redundant, not people. I'd possibly explain that none of them are doing anything wrong. They are all fantastic people. It's just that you don't have the work to support the number of staff you have.

I'd be hoping for a fantastic reference and decent redundancy pay. I would stick around not looking for another job knowing that I'd either keep the job I have or knowing I'd get money. Are there staff who might be interested in leaving the Company for the right money for example? I was overjoyed the last time I got made redundant because I wanted to change careers and it gave me the financial boost to do so.

Don’t do it by group email using AI.
Yes it happened to me.