Redundancy what to do next

Bits about everything....

When people are:
· Been made redundant or
· Opted to take voluntary severance where offered

What next?

This might seem harsh in the current climate, but the rationale for this is simple, how we deal with what may be presented to us personally i.e. Redundancy, can determine our sense of well being, which contributes to our overall happiness and success in our lives. A plan is essential. Options are paramount.

Redundancy can either be a new beginning and a positive experience, or the end of what we know and very stressful, depending on how we deal with it.

There are a number of key factors when redundancy is presented, to consider before leaving your organization:

1. What is the difference between Redundancy & Voluntary Severance (VS)? – Redundancy/VS both mean essentially that a job/role is ‘at risk of redundancy’. When presented with VS, it normally means that most likely (if preferred) a person can remain employed by the same Company, but very often and most likely, in a different role but with the same terms and conditions i.e. the option to accept VS should be your choice (voluntary), however the role may not be your preferred one. It also often means that you will be offered more generous severance terms, than that offered under statutory redundancy.

2. Is Redundancy the only option? – in some companies redundancy may feel like the only option, and for some it is, but there are ways to retain jobs i.e. the Employment Subsidy Scheme, salary cuts, - you as an employee should be well informed on all options, particularly if you work for a small company – you may be able to help your company keep you employed!

3. I am being made Redundant - When do I have to leave? - when a person is being made redundant their employer must follow particular fair procedures, for example you must be afforded 2 weeks notice of your redundancy in the first instance as a minimum depending on your length of service, and on the date of your dismissal your redundancy payment.

4. What are my options now? – This is the key question, and what you do next will determine how you feel, and how you are in your life, as a result of being made redundant. In my experience there are a number of options, but it is crucially important that these options are thought through, and decided on ultimately by the person who has been affected by the redundancy i.e. not helpful friends of family. Ultimately this has to be your decision.



The options are as follows:

a. Look for work that have experience at or similar - Its usually better to try and work at what you know, and/or are trained to do

b. Upskill - This might be an opportunity to upskill – if it’s financially viable this could be your opportunity to do/study something you have always wanted to do but didn’t have the time!

c. Rebrand – what is your brand? What do you bring to an employer that sets you apart? There may be an opportunity to seek professional support with this in terms of you/your CV/interviewing skills. If you are lucky enough to get that interview you want to make sure you get the job!

d. Don’t dilute your proposition – don’t go to every employment agency in Ireland. Know your Brand and be represented accordingly

e. Mobility – are you mobile? There is work in other countries. Are you prepared to travel? If so is this your opportunity to take that ‘Gap Year’ you never did when you left school/College? Some employment agencies have offices in other countries and update you on any vacancies that they may have at the moment without having to travel at a cost.

f. Be prepared for a reduction in your overall remuneration package – this is not the same climate as it was even 12mths ago. It is important to know how much of a reduction you can afford. There is no point taking a job only to find you simply cannot afford to live on the salary offered. Conversely you need to be practical, and understand that this is an employer’s market with a lot of talent available, so you will most likely need to take a reduction.

g. Think outside the Box – this may mean taking a part time role Monday and supplementing it with other income or reviewing some of your other outgoings. Consider options other than the standard -Friday,9am-5pm jobs

h. Be Positive – this may seem like an obvious one, but the positive candidate brings energy into an interview and will be remembered. It also helps you to stay focused. You will get a job!

Finally, in many cases Redundancy/VS is an opportunity to be grasped. I have read articles more recently referring to ‘funemployment’ where those made redundant are secretly happy to be unemployed and enjoying the time out for now. Also, an important point to make is that while you may have lost your job, cost of living is reducing also.


However, Redundancy can also be very unsettling, where there are financial and family commitments particularly, it can be a very stressful time. People who are made redundant often refer to a sense of failure and loss of self esteem. Naturally, it is a blow especially if the job lost was the job of your dreams, BUT importantly, there are options, always! They may not in the first instance appear to be your 1st choice, but where there is a loss financially perhaps, in the first instance there may gain in other areas! For example, consider how busy we have all been over the last decade, complaining of no time – well maybe now we will have that time back, to give to what we always said was THE most important thing (family, friends) while we rushed to the next meeting!

Finally, to those of you who haven’t been made redundant, consider all your options, to stay ahead of any announcements or rationalisation plans your Company may be considering, and to those of you who have been made redundant or offered VS, consider this your new beginning and never the end….it is how you approach it, and your (many) options!
source:www.hrri.ie