Coping With Redundancy The First Steps.

Redundant - What Next? The First Steps. 

Redundancy is difficult for most people. This series of posts over he next few days aims to help you through the first stages of it. Having faced redundancy myself I understand.

 There can be a subtle difference whether it is compulsory or voluntary redundancy and how that makes you feel, but it is redundancy all the same.

It is harsh to feel that you are no longer needed or useful somewhere you have worked and committed to maybe for a large portion of your working life, maybe somewhere you felt you had a real career path. Redundancy can cause real difficulties in terms of finances and emotional fall out as well.Anyone going through redundancy needs support and understanding.

If you are to cope with redundancy you need to know that you are needed and useful, perhaps not in the same way, in the same place but with support and time you can again make a difference and live a good life.

When I accepted redundancy people would ask what did I do and I would say I have been made redundant from ...(my old job title) A friend told me early on not to say that. Rather to say my job was made redundant and I am seeking opportunities in ...(what i wanted to do )

Oh yes it might just seem like playing with words but in my experience it made a difference to the way I felt about redundancy and that was very important to me.

The Stages Of Redundancy Grief

The grief of losing a job has been likened to the grief of other loss in life. There are stages we go through and it should be noted that these stages are not linear 1 to 5 but may go back wards as well as forwards until we settle and really accept and move on.

Stage 1 - Shock. It is often a huge shock when redundancy occurs. even if you know things are not all well at the company somehow there was always hope it would get better....Shock is a natural reaction.

Stage 2 - Denial. No its not happening to me I won't have it.

Stage 3 - Anger/Resistance. To be expected but anger on its own it not helpful, and it is important we learn how to deal with it so we can move on and direct our new life in a positive manner.

Stage 4 - Acceptance. This is when we start to deal with what has occured and can move onward.

Stage 5 - Exploration. Moving forward on from redundancy and wanting to seek new ways to travel forward into a new way. That may be self employment, a new job, retraining or something else.

Stage 6 - Challenge. Making the change and actually moving forward. Having a positive attitude to the future and taking positive actions.

Do bear in mind that not everyone goes through every stage in a neat fashion. Indeed especially during the early days  people may easily go back and forth through many of these stages. You may skip stages or go through them all. It is simply a guide what you may expect.

Redundancy is a shock and causes great difficulty for many people and that should not be understated. It also perhaps should be noted that many people I have talked with and myself included have found a greater joy and happiness and purpose since taking redundancy. I know this certainly will not be the case for everyone but it is a possibility...



Overcoming redundancy: 52 inspiring ideas to help you bounce back from losing your job Helping you to refocus and reassess after the shock of redundancy. Encourages you to look at practical things you can do after redundancy to rebuild and seek opportunities from now on.


What is Voluntary Redundancy?
Explanation of what voluntary redundancy actually means. it is important to know the differences so that you are not caught out in the legal speak of large companies and that you know your rights and responsibilities.Voluntary redundancy

What Is Compulsory Redundancy?
Here is an explanation of compulsory redundancy. Do check carefully what type of redundancy you are being asked to take or made to take and what it really means for you.


NB Please note laws and rules and benefits governing redundancy will be different in different countries. Please make yourself familiar with the ones that apply to the country you live in.

Next : After Redundancy Keep a Routine