Being made redundant is one of the most difficult experiences you will ever have to deal with and due to the recent COVID-19 pandemic, it has unfortunately become an even more common occurrence for many across Britain.
Currently, you may be fretting about your finances and wondering when normality will resume so you can get back into work. With so much uncertainty and doubt to face, it can be easy to get into a downward spiral of worry and be left wondering which way to turn. If you have recently lost your job, take a look at some of the tips below on how to deal with the situation:
1. Try not to take it personally
One of the most important tips to take into consideration is to not take the redundancy to heart. Losing your job can be an extremely upsetting and stressful experience and it’s easy to feel alone and isolated but do remember that there are thousands of people in the same boat as you right now. Redundancy isn’t a reflection of your skills or how well you perform, it’s simply ‘one of those things’ that all of us are at risk of. There are several valid reasons why you may be let go from a job:
• There is not enough work for you to do
• Your role no longer exists at the company
• The company is in debt and needs to reduce costs where possible
• The business is closing
2. Know your rights
Once you’ve have been made aware of your redundancy, it’s important to find out your rights. Try and get hold of a copy of the company’s redundancy policy and find the terms and conditions. Your employer legally should be following these procedures.
By law, all employers are required to follow a set of guidelines when making redundancies, including giving you a written notice period and a reason. It may be worth speaking with your employer to see if there is the option to be furloughed as an alternative or work on a part-time basis. If you believe you’re being unfairly dismissed, you may wish to seek advice from an employment lawyer.
3. Don’t burn bridges
Try to maintain a positive relationship with your employer, even though you may be hurt by their decision to make you redundant. Remember, you will still need a reference from your previous employer when applying for new job roles, so it would never be ideal to leave things on bad terms. Maintaining a civil relationship with an employer may also open doors for them to refer you to positions they become aware of that may be suitable for you, or potentially even hire you again in future if new job openings arise at the company.
4. Speak to your loved ones
Bottling up your emotions will only make you feel worse about the situation. It’s important to be open with your loved ones – whether that be your parents, partner or children and let them know how you’re feeling. Being honest means you can work together to deal with emotional and financial concerns, as well as coming to terms with the loss of your job.
5. You may actually have the upper hand
Due to the fact that you have no notice period as a result of redundancy, you may have the upper hand against other candidates when applying for new job roles. Employers are keen to fill a role quickly to keep up with demand, so if you let them know that you’re able to start immediately, you’re more likely to be considered before other potential candidates as a result.
The most important factor is to not lose faith! It is a very difficult time when you’re made redundant and especially during a global pandemic. Please feel free to speak to a member of our team for further advice on how to get ahead of the game or you can also see our other articles too.
