Coping With Redundancy

While not an everyday occurrence, redundancies are more common than you might think. Perhaps you’ve been made redundant before, and know how shocking and stressful it can be. And if you haven’t ever faced redundancy, the very thought of it is probably terrifying!

But being made redundant doesn’t necessarily have to be a bad thing. Although it can take time to get used to the idea, redundancy could help you start afresh and move on to better things. Changing jobs can be a scary prospect, so many people play it safe and remain in roles they don’t particularly enjoy. Being made redundant could be the opportunity you didn’t know you were waiting for.

What is Redundancy?

Redundancy isn’t the same as being fired from your job – it’s a formal process that happens when an employer needs to reduce their workforce. You can also be made redundant if the business you work for closes down for whatever reason.

If you’re made redundant, you may be entitled to certain things that you wouldn’t be eligible for if you were fired. These include a notice period, as well as redundancy pay. You can find out more about your redundancy rights on the government website. It’s important to fully understand the process in order to put yourself more at ease.

It’s probably worth sitting down with your manager and discussing the process too. They can tell you things like the date you’ll need to leave, what pay you can expect to receive, and any other rights you have.

Think Positively

While redundancy can be both shocking and upsetting, you need to try and think positively if you can. Being let go from a job will happen to most people at some point in their life, and the best thing you can do is focus on the next step. Perhaps you weren’t completely satisfied in your job anyway, and redundancy is a chance to find a role better suited to you.

That’s not to say that you shouldn’t feel upset that you’ve been made redundant – that’s totally natural. The trick is to not let that feeling consume you. Maybe write a list of all the good things that can happen as a result of your redundancy, and refer back to it when you’re feeling a bit down.

Consider Your Options

When you’re made redundant, you can really think about your options moving forward. You may decide that it’s time for a complete change in career, or simply move to a similar position, but the possibilities are endless. Take the time to really consider your priorities in a job – is a high salary the most important thing to you? What about a short commute, or an ethical business? Once you know what you won’t compromise on, you can start looking for your dream job.

Your previous employer may even be able to help you take the next step in your career, putting you in touch with other people in the industry or suggesting companies to work for. Just don’t rush into anything – it’s best to be sure about a job, and know that you’ll be happy in the position.

If you are concerned about your income while searching for a new role, it may be worth contacting a temp agency, or a recruitment agency like Pineapple Recruitment. We can help you find temporary work until you’re ready to start in a more permanent position.

Start Applying for New Jobs

Once you have considered the direction you want to take for your next job, you can start job hunting. This means checking job boards regularly, looking for local jobs via search engine, and perhaps asking an independent agency for help.

It’s also important to start networking when you’re actively searching for a job. Social media sites like LinkedIn are a fantastic platform for this – you may be surprised by how many people you can connect with in your industry, even if it’s through others. Talking to friends and family about the situation may lead to job recommendations too – perhaps someone you know has a job opening within their workplace you could apply for.

Keep Moving

Throughout the redundancy process and beyond, it’s important to keep busy. You don’t want to fixate on how shocking or troubling the news of your redundancy was, even if it’s true! Try to occupy your mind with other things, and not just looking for a new job.

Now could also be the perfect opportunity to pick up a new skill or enroll in educational courses. You might be able to apply for jobs with higher salaries if you use this time to focus on your professional development. Or if you need to take a break first, why not go travelling? The main thing is to always look ahead, and not focus on the negatives of redundancy.