Need sound advice on something.

[JessW]

I am not sure how I really feel about this, but will try to remain coherent (sp?).

I have (unofficially as yet) been told that after I move house (good news!) HR, Office Director and I will have to start the consultation period preceding redundancy.

My question is:

Has anyone else a) been through it and b) got any good advice as to how to handle it (professional and how to cope ideas plus anything else I should watch out for!)?

I am a bag of nerves, even though I had an idea that it was on its way.

Crikey,

Jess

[raindance]

Dear Jess,

Here is a good website (CAB website) giving information about redundancy and the legal position:

http://www.adviceguide.org.uk/index/life/employment/redundancy.htm

The most important things are not to allow yourself to be bumped out of your company without an adequate compensation package, take notes of any meetings (and take someone with you if you feel the need for a companion), don't agree to anything at a meeting - always ask for things to be put in writing.   You also need to think about: pension rights, holidays accrued, and references for the future.

Send me a private email if you have more specific questions and I will put my trade union rep hat on.

Best wishes,

Raindance

[reddrogue]

I am in the US, so I must apologize for sounding ignorant, but what is "redundancy?"

Rr

[msmarieh]

She's being let go from the company.  It's their (much  nicer sounding) term for being fired.

Marie

[reddrogue]

Ah, it sounds more like being laid off.  Too many people doing the same thing...  Sorry to hear about it...

[susans]

Redundancy is the UK term for beng laid off.  It is used in Australia as well.

[Jackie G]

Yes, it's being laid off.  Being fired is a different matter altogether!

Jackie, Peer Moderator
www.iqps.org

[oceangirl]

I was made redundant 3 years ago, before that I had been in 3 different departments that had all been closed down but always got a job somewhere else in the company.

One of the best pieces of advice I got was this:

They are getting rid of the job.  It is nothing to do with you personally. It is not a reflection on you.  However this is how it feels. You need to take care of yourself.  

Would there be any chance that you’ll be offered another position elsewhere in the company?  Do you want to stay with the company?  Way everything up carefully.  Talk it through with other people that you trust.

List all things you can do, and all things you’ve always dreamed of doing.  

Could you make any of them work for you? Could you take a chance and work for yourself?

Could you do that degree course you’ve always wanted to do?

If there are delays in the process and there will be, just think it’s more one months payment into your pension, one less mortgage repayment to worry about.  Sometimes it can stretch on for months( 12 in my case),  I saved money, so I would always have running away fund!! (I still have it It’s a very nice feeling knowing I can say stuff it all if I want to!).  The redundancy money wasn’t much, but I enjoyed spending some of it and the rest I saved.  Just think of all those Jimmy Choos you could buy!

My husband to be ( We get married on sat!!) was made redundant just after we started seeing each other and he vowed that he would never work for anyone else ever again.  He’s worked in interim project management now for six years and is happy doing it.  He’s fitter, happier and so much healthier that he was.  He has a lot more free time and a lot less stress.  For him it was the best thing that could have happened to him.  But it didn’t feel like that at the time.   The first thing He did was to go to Japan for holiday.  It took him away from his normal environment. It made a difference.  When he got he found it easier to adjust to not working.

If you are finished suddenly then see if you can get a long-term temping job while you decide what you want to do next.  (Temping worked for me -  I went to an agent on the Monday had an interview on the Tuesday and was working there on the Wednesday!)

Various people who did take redundancy when we all worked for Refuge Assurance all say now that it was the best thing that happened to them.  That they wouldn’t be where they are now if the department hadn’t closed down.
It can be the making of people.

So be positive it could be the best thing to happen to you.  You could get the job you’ve always dreamed of but were afraid to go for now you have nothing to lose and everything to play for.  
Have faith in yourself.  You got this job didn’t you? Why wont you get another one?


Best wishes georgina.

Georgie Girl.