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advice from WLA Recruitment Don’t Panic The natural reaction to being given bad news is shock (“What?”) , then anger (“They can’t do this to me, I’ll show them “), then rejection (“It can’t / won ‘t really happen to me”), then acceptance. While this is a natural emotional progression, it’s not helpful. Try and recognise what’s happening and break the chain – otherwise while going through these stages, you will not be able to focus on your main priorities which are to : Listen You may be given a lot of information, some of it very important to your future. Are you being consulted as part of a pool (in which case you may not actually be made redundant) or is your job the only one that is no longer required? Clarify Ask exactly why the redundancy situation has arisen, what alternatives to redundancy have been considered, how many other staff are affected, how the selection will be made, what will be the timescale, etc. Consider You should be given a period of time to think about what has been said and to respond. Try as best you can to respond positively – is there some other way that can achieve the same end? Have volunteers been requested? What about reduced hours? Or layoff for a period? If you’re in a selection pool, how likely is it that you will be selected? What can you do to improve your retention probability? If it’s you, are there any other jobs that you could do instead? Can you be retrained to do something else for your employer? Act positively If your redundancy is confirmed, listen to what your redundancy payments and any other termination payments will be. If you have more than two years’ service, you should be entitled to a statutory, tax-free redundancy payment. Ask about any ex-gratia payment that may be available. See if you can extend the period of notice you’ve been given. Ask if you will be given help with finding another job – can you use the employer’s computers and internet access? Reign in your expenditure Now is not the time to blow your redundancy pay on an expensive foreign holiday – you may need the money to tide you over until you have a new job (you can always go on that holiday once you have a job to return to). Look at where your money goes each week and try to find ways you can economise. Start your new job This now is looking for another job. Make this your absolute priority. You’re entitled to reasonable time off with pay to look for other work, attend interviews, etc. The internet and local newspapers (you can read these in you town library for free). Network – don’t be embarrassed, redundancy is not a stigma, tell as many prospective employers what has happened, and that you are available to make their business more successful. Finally, be confident! It can be tempting to wallow in self-pity – don’t. Employers want confident, go-getting self starters, and a person who can take a redundancy punch and come back fighting will always have the edge over a morose, doleful candidate. Your redundancy is an opportunity – seize it! Consider other work you could do with your skills and experience – there’s no law which says that because you’ve always been a hire controller, you can’t be a driver, or a sales representative. Positive actions bring positive responses, so be positive and your confidence will win through. |
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