What do I do if I’ve been made redundant?
Take time out before you make any big decisions
Going through a redundancy can be a stressful and emotional time. Not only may you lose your income, but your routine has been turned upside-down. Along with losing your job, you may even feel like you have lost your sense of purpose or self.
If you find yourself in the position where you don’t have future plans, take time out to think carefully through your options. Do not make any big decisions quickly – you may be acting out of hurt or bewilderment, before you have had a chance to think things through.
- Talking with a counsellor can help you make plans for the future
Take advantage of support services
As part of the redundancy process, your employer may offer counselling or career advice services. Take advantage of this. You may be feeling upset with your employer, and not want to have anything to do with them, but the counsellor is there to help you. Anything you tell them will be confidential, and won't be passed on to your employer.
They can help ease your way through the process and give you someone to talk through your options with. They may be able to help you plan for the future, and get your career back on track.
Sort out your finances
If you have received a payout as part of your redundancy, you should think carefully about how you might best use this money. Do you have debts to clear, ongoing bill payments to cover, or do you want to put the money toward retraining for a different career?
Talk about how you can manage your money with your family and friends, or get help from a financial adviser or online budgeting website.
In many cases, there may be no provision in your employment agreement for a redundancy payout. You may leave your job with just your last pay cheque and whatever annual leave is owed to you. Work and Income can provide financial help in many cases.
ReStart is a package of payments and employment and job services to help if you’ve recently been made redundant from full-time work. It provides support for up to 16 weeks. It may include a payment to replace an in-work tax credit, increased accommodation supplement, and help finding a job.
Get some career advice
If this is not part of your redundancy package, consider visiting a career or recruitment consultant and discussing your options. They may be able to give you a better picture of how easy it will be to find a position in your area, and what the job market is currently doing.
They may also be able to suggest other areas where your skills may be in demand, or give you other options.
Adopt a positive attitude
After you have had time to adjust to your situation and make some plans, you may meet with potential employers, recruiters or contacts in your industry. Although you may still be upset, having a positive attitude will help you make a good impression.
You may feel you have been treated unfairly and your redundancy experience may have been hard, but don’t dwell on this aspect when talking with others. Instead, focus on what you can and are willing to do, and what you have to offer.
Read more about how Pete's redundancy has spurred him to take a new approach
- Hobbies can become a positive part of your new routine
Get a new routine
Once you’re out of full-time work, it can be hard to motivate yourself day after day. Creating a schedule to help you map out each week can help keep you on course, and give you many reasons to get out of bed each morning.
Set yourself goals for each day – for example, you might want to set aside a certain amount of time to devote to your job hunt. You might also take the opportunity to do some voluntary work – this can give you a feeling of satisfaction about contributing to your community, but may also give you useful experience or skills that will help you in your job hunt. You might even hear about a job opening.
You may also relish the opportunity to spend more time with your family, or pursue the hobbies and interests that you have let lapse due to a heavy workload.
