Redundancy
Redundancy is a nasty word. It conjures up heavy and loaded feelings of inadequacy and insecurity. 99 times out of 100 we will have had absolutely no influence on this. But we do have the capacity to change how we feel about it and take control back over what we do next.
We can work with you to manage the emotional trauma of redundency and what it means to you. Plus we can begin to build the blocks of recovery which will empower you with confidence, self-belief, hope and ambition. And where we can, we'll explore the practical issues of networking, getting back out there, opportunity development and targeting a future beyond.
The following coaching tips come from The Crisis Book, reproduced with permission and thanks;
Most of us will be in a job that is made redundant at some time in our lives. This can happen because our employer can’t afford to maintain the same number of employees or there’s some kind of restructuring. But it can also occur when an organization is taken over or, sadly, if it goes bust. It can have a huge impact on us. So if we’re faced with redundancy, we lose the structure and purpose, as well as our work identity. It can also have a massive effect on our finances.
When our employer says they don’t have a job for us anymore, it can hurt. We may feel bitter, even devastated. And we’ll want to blame someone. We’ll think, “After all I gave them, this is the thanks I get.” Because we get hit with many reactions to redundancy, we can feel quite vulnerable, as if our stability has gone. We’re not feeling grounded anymore, we’re floundering about, perhaps all over the place, lacking concentration, purpose and any enthusiasm. We feel totally flat.
The job’s gone, not us. The greatest knock you get is the sense of feeling “redundant” as a person. Well, you’re not. It’s the job that has been made redundant, not you. You’re still here. You still have a lot to offer.
Share the load. It’s your job that’s gone, so it feels very personal and isolating. It’s good to find someone to talk to about how you feel, the frustrations and sense of injustice. Don’t bottle it up.
Know the score. It’s important to get as much information about what’s actually happened. This helps you process and aids understanding. It might also highlight some options for you – maybe some extra training, a new role elsewhere, outplacement support or a redundancy package?
Cut expenses. You might get a slight financial cushion (redundancy settlement) from your employer or you may not. Either way, it’s prudent to draw up a list of the bills you need to pay and how you can cut down on expenses. If you’re going to be under financial pressure, contact your creditors, like mortgage or credit card providers. They can usually help you spread or pause payments.
A new way. Sometimes, being forced into a situation can open up new opportunities you never thought were around. Look beyond your normal field of vision. Is there an opportunity to retrain and do something different, perhaps something you’ve always hankered for?
Back to the future. Imagine you’re five years in the future from now; what advice might you give yourself?
Learn from others. If other friends or family have gone through redundancy, it can help to get their perspective. How did they cope? What did they feel? What did they learn from it? What would they advise you?