I was made redundant on Wednesday. Have you been made redundant and what did you do?

[theboycalledleaf]

I was made redundant in the most abrupt way. No warning, no notice, whisked into a meeting room and given an envelope and escorted from the premises.

My wife and I are lucky in that we have some money saved and have a little time before I have to commit to another job.

Has anyone else been in the same situation? Did you see it as a second chance? Did you follow your dreams and herd alpacas, make cheese, become a rent boy or act on the west end stage?

Any stories to inspire would be appreciated.

[oldypigeonpopper]

hello, it is not usual to be escorted from the premises ? did they say you were being made redundant ? 

[Wb123]

Sorry to hear that.

My better half was made redundant. I worked my balls off for three months whilst she did work experience to try and break into an entirely new sector, then she got a pay out that more than covered her time off and landed a job doing what she wanted to move to. 

Fast forward a few years and she brings home more than I do to work 35 hours a week flexitime from home. Not that I am bitter of course, not even slightly...

[Perazzishot]

You give very little details of your trade and if it will be as easy as dropping in your CV to the nearest rival who will grab you with open arms.

 

Or are you niche who may struggle to find local employment in your profession?

Edited March 14, 2019 by Perazzishot
typo

[Wb123]

I found the time she wasn’t in paid work very tough but she looks back on it as her best summer ever. Hopefully you will have an experience like she did but without your wife finding it as stressful as I did. 

[B391]

I have been made redundant 4 times, twice by foreign companies buying my employer and making us all redundant, once because the boss sold the company and retired and the last time because the company moved its operations overseas.

**** appens and each time my temporary new job was finding a better new job. Each time I changed industries and each time in the longer run I made more money, gained more qualifications and had a better lifestyle.

I looked at each redundancy as an opporunity and sought out better jobs, and I held my head up high and got on with the search for a new job.

Last year I managed to retired 3 years early so think on your redundancy as a life experience and an opporunity and make sure you have plenty of PMA......Positive Mental Attitude.

Best wishes and good luck  

 

[strimmer_13]

21 minutes ago, oldypigeonpopper said:

hello, it is not usual to be escorted from the premises ? did they say you were being made redundant ? 

I know they do in a aviation sector as i recently heard a story of somebody losing their job and him going back into the hanger and cutting every loom he could find on what he was working on. Now its office, and escorted out. No need to go back in, youve no tools. 

On a plus note, ive changed trades about 4 times, now ive taken a pay cut but love my job. Im happier in my head, thats all that counts. I used to think mental health was for a bunch of soft poofs, not any more. Stay happy in what you want to do. Goodluck 

[Mice!]

25 minutes ago, theboycalledleaf said:

I was made redundant in the most abrupt way. No warning, no notice, whisked into a meeting room and given an envelope and escorted from the premises.

My wife and I are lucky in that we have some money saved and have a little time before I have to commit to another job.

Has anyone else been in the same situation? Did you see it as a second chance? Did you follow your dreams and herd alpacas, make cheese, become a rent boy or act on the west end stage?

Any stories to inspire would be appreciated.

From what you say the first thing to be sure of is have you got everything your entitled too? I've been made redundant 3 times and walked a few more knowing things aren't worth staying for.

When its been redundancy there has been notice, everyone has known its coming, unions involved and you have been given a copy of what your going to get paid.

You need to be sure you haven't been shafted in anyway.

After that i normally started another job straight away, knowing its coming I'll have been for interviews and said I'm available once I've been paid off, sounds odd but i look at it as being paid for starting a new job. Unless your lucky we only work to pay bills, enjoy your new job.

[SpringDon]

Happened a couple of times to me. Don’t take it personally,  stuff happens. You don’t say what you do but one approach is to just think ‘oh well, never mind’ and get another job in the same line.

if the payoff is good and you fancy a change then why not go for it. Most important thing is don’t dwell on it and move on.

 

oh and it’s tough being rent boy though lucrative if you can take your teeth out.

Edited March 14, 2019 by SpringDon
Extra

[Lampwick]

Happened to me 4 1/2 years ago. Set up my own business (totally new career to me)  I earn less but still pay the bills and love it plus I see so much more of my family!! Treat it as an opportunity. It can be frightening but if it's a reality dont hide your head in the sand!! 

[figgy]

I get made redundant all the time. Usually after every contact nears completion.. Unless another contract is starting for the company I'm working for or another job is Manning up as I look for work. Sometimes years go by with me in constant work other years are poor.

Only you will see it how you do, others the same for them. Get your CV sorted and out there and enjoy the free time as you can't do anything about it. Luckily the warmer weather is on its way.

[theboycalledleaf]

I'm a land surveyor by trade, localised maps, floor plans, elevations and sections, setting out on construction sites and monitoring movement in buildings.

I knew times were hard and heard a pay cut may be coming but had no warning on redundancy at all. I'm getting professional advice on this today.

My industry is changing beyond all recognition with the constant advancement of technology. Where once a team would collect measurements by theodolite, now one person can do it using a robotic instrument or a laser scanner or a drone.

Half of the problem is the owner didn't keep up with the advancement of technology. The company was stuck in the 90's kit wise with too many staff and a lack of can do attitude. Quotes were astronomical too, based on the good old days. No wonder we didn't win enough work.

It hit me hard on Wednesday, sleepless night and worrying. However I do fancy a change. It's just finding something I fancy or something I can transfer my skills to.

I left Carillion just before it collapsed and took the job I've just been made redundant from as it was local (a novelty for me as I was used to two hours commuting), the dog could sit under my desk and I could be home for supper with my family. It was a lifestyle choice over money.

I'll keep applying and also take time to think.

Who'd have thought such good career advice was available on a shooting forum?

Thanks.

[moor man]

Chin up chap, bit of a shock I know. Don't worry things will work out, stay positive.👍Change is good (and normal)

[TIGHTCHOKE]

Unfortunate but you may yet see it as a welcome opportunity for a change.

Good luck

[Scully]

It’s happened to me four times; twice with two small children and a mortgage. No laughing matter but you get through; there is no alternative. 

Your company should have made you aware of all your options including what you can now claim for, and I suggest you claim for everything you’re entitled to in the interim. 

I went self employed, but much depends on what skills you may have or if you can retrain to gain others. 

Stay positive and treat it as an adventure, and a great opportunity to grow and develop, rather than a step backwards. 

Being self employed has its down sides, but the upsides more than make up for them in my opinion. 

Good luck. 

Edited March 15, 2019 by Scully

[oldypigeonpopper]

8 hours ago, strimmer_13 said:

I know they do in a aviation sector as i recently heard a story of somebody losing their job and him going back into the hanger and cutting every loom he could find on what he was working on. Now its office, and escorted out. No need to go back in, youve no tools. 

On a plus note, ive changed trades about 4 times, now ive taken a pay cut but love my job. Im happier in my head, thats all that counts. I used to think mental health was for a bunch of soft poofs, not any more. Stay happy in what you want to do. Goodluck 

hello, it seems to be a trend these days easy to hire easy to fire

[Good shot?]

All good advice given. I too have been there several times during my working life, now retired. Get. advice (CAB) on everything you are entitled to and enjoy your free time whilst looking for a fresh start.Be positive and it will be a time to reflect on what you want from a career and life from now onwards.

[oldypigeonpopper]

1 hour ago, theboycalledleaf said:

I'm a land surveyor by trade, localised maps, floor plans, elevations and sections, setting out on construction sites and monitoring movement in buildings.

I knew times were hard and heard a pay cut may be coming but had no warning on redundancy at all. I'm getting professional advice on this today.

My industry is changing beyond all recognition with the constant advancement of technology. Where once a team would collect measurements by theodolite, now one person can do it using a robotic instrument or a laser scanner or a drone.

Half of the problem is the owner didn't keep up with the advancement of technology. The company was stuck in the 90's kit wise with too many staff and a lack of can do attitude. Quotes were astronomical too, based on the good old days. No wonder we didn't win enough work.

It hit me hard on Wednesday, sleepless night and worrying. However I do fancy a change. It's just finding something I fancy or something I can transfer my skills to.

I left Carillion just before it collapsed and took the job I've just been made redundant from as it was local (a novelty for me as I was used to two hours commuting), the dog could sit under my desk and I could be home for supper with my family. It was a lifestyle choice over money.

I'll keep applying and also take time to think.

Who'd have thought such good career advice was available on a shooting forum?

Thanks.

hello, what ever happens in a persons life  it has happened to others, we have a saying, its not the end of the world !!!!!  time to think time to spend together so what ever you decide same type job/new job, i can only wish you the best 

[JohnfromUK]

I have had it happen to me twice, both times 'amicably' in that I had plenty of notice (6 months in the second case), better than minimum payment and free to have time out to attend interviews etc. 

The second was offered as 'voluntary redundancy or early' which gave me a better deal (financially) - and I decided to retire early.  (I was just a few months short of 60 at the time).

I hope that you can find a suitable post; most people i have known who have been through it come out fine - and several on looking back see it has having been a good thing with hindsight as it enabled them to move to a better role.

Good Luck

Edited March 15, 2019 by JohnfromUK

[clakk]

Dont think of your current trade as it be all and end all,go to the job centre there,s courses and retraining to be had .I left the army in 1990 and had 12 jobs before my current 1 , 3x laid off  but now 24 years in now good pension etc.

As said contact the other firms doing your work and put out your C.V there,s a plethora of agencies can do the leg work for you .My best friend from school looks after the services at Wembley stadium but started out in a granary .Dont be afraid to take anything to feed your family,roof tiler ,lorry driver ,shop work all pay a wage till u get what you want to do sorted atb and good luck.

 

[Raja Clavata]

I'm sorry to hear about your expeience fella and can only imagine the shock and concern this has caused you but I would strongly implore you to take some time to sit back and reflect on how you turn this unexpected event into an opportunity for you. Here's a brief outline of my recent story...

It took me three years of wrangling to get my previous employer to agree to let me leave under a VR scheme, that was back in 2016. I got a decent package when I left and fell straight into another job. After having stagnated from a personal development perspective for some five years in my previous job I found myself in a company that represented huge opportunity.

After my initial 6 month probation period I renegotiated my contract with the new employer and ended up being promoted with a much better package which also includes working from home the majority of the time. I'm now Chief Engineer for the Automotive portfolio in the UK, sit on a couple of industry boards and have a dual role with an in-house product unit in the South of France where I'm the Commercial Director. There is talk of a spin off of the Product unit where I would have the option of either taking the CEO or CCO role.

My former employer recently contacted me with a view to rejoin three org levels up from where I left, after some initial discussion with them, including a trip to the US to meet the CEO and SVP this week I decided it wasn't for me and reinforced my leaving that org in 2016 is one of the best things that has happened to me.

As has already been said - chin up and PMA, look at applying your transferable skills in new sectors and embrace the change. Wish you all the best!

[Westward]

An employer is legally obligated to follow due process and abide my statutory minimum paid notice and redundancy pay in order to make someone redundant. If they fail to honour the process, or any part of it, then you have a valid reason to apply for an employment tribunal to held and to make a claim against the former employer for damages and or loss of income.

There is no rush to do this but all the information you need is available online and of course there are books on employment law. If you feel inclined to pursue this then the first thing to do is retain all written communications and write down dates, times and details of all related conversations and phone calls.

It's some years since it happened to me and I no longer have all the documentation, but although it's not for the faint hearted, it's a good feeling to see your ex employer humbled.

[Thunderbird]

27 minutes ago, Westward said:

* An employer is legally obligated to follow due process and abide my statutory minimum paid notice and redundancy pay in order to make someone redundant. If they fail to honour the process, or any part of it, then you have a valid reason to apply for an employment tribunal to held and to make a claim against the former employer for damages and or loss of income.

 

* Subject to length of service and / or what's in the contract. It could be that what they have done is perfectly lawful, or it might not be. 

[amateur]

I was made redundant several times during my 40 odd year career, usually due to takeovers or the business moving to a very remote site.

The pay-outs invariably financed me for the few weeks it took to find another role, sometimes temping, sometimes consultancy, sometimes interim management in between permanent roles. 

I have never needed to draw the dole

I too had the immediate "clear your desk" treatment too on one occasion - it didn't matter to me as that was one of the better pay-outs.

After the last one, in my early 50's, fed up with dealing with employment agencies and as I could draw on one of my pensions, I went into home retail and network marketing, which I've been doing for the past 16 years. What a revelation! - no stress, enough cash to more than survive and now that all my pensions have kicked in, I feel very comfortable.

So, don't worry about redundancy. If the role that you had held is no longer appropriate due to technology change, learn the technology. Practical experience plus computer savvy is valued. Consider a complete change if the opportunity arises.

 

[ratchers]

After redundancy I went self employed.

Been doing it for 25 years, earn **** money but I can come and go as I please, for instance sunny today think I'll go shooting then.

Treat it as a new opportunity.