Been Made Redundant

hells_2

I must be one of the only people actually looking forward to redundancy! (We are in consultation for VR at the moment but don't find out for a few months)

I've already planned to apply to do a degree, which is for my actual chosen profession, the one I trained for 20 years ago and didn't finish my education (as I was pressured to get a 'real job' by my folks and bring some money home!)

So now, it's time for me to be selfish, and go and finish my education (2 yrs), can live off the redundancy money, get a student loan/grant for fees anyway, and perhaps go find a part time job, even in the local supermarket to keep the money coming in just in case.

Don't get demotivated, think about the future!
See it as a great opportunity to do something you've always wanted to do with your life!
That's my very upbeat take on it anyway

Got made redundant before in the 92 recession and thankfully, went straight into another job the following week, but we got 4 weeks pay and no notice, no fancy consultations, or lawyers to help us. (Pre-employment law changes back then!)

Good luck!

senwar

hells wrote: »

I must be one of the only people actually looking forward to redundancy! (We are in consultation for VR at the moment but don't find out for a few months)

I've already planned to apply to do a degree, which is for my actual chosen profession, the one I trained for 20 years ago and didn't finish my education (as I was pressured to get a 'real job' by my folks and bring some money home!)

So now, it's time for me to be selfish, and go and finish my education (2 yrs), can live off the redundancy money, get a student loan/grant for fees anyway, and perhaps go find a part time job, even in the local supermarket to keep the money coming in just in case.

Don't get demotivated, think about the future!
See it as a great opportunity to do something you've always wanted to do with your life!
That's my very upbeat take on it anyway

Got made redundant before in the 92 recession and thankfully, went straight into another job the following week, but we got 4 weeks pay and no notice, no fancy consultations, or lawyers to help us. (Pre-employment law changes back then!)

Good luck!

Nice one - good luck in what you do.

I'm the same though - looking forward to it (finish 29/01/10) - scared but looking forward to it. And after 21yrs at the same place, its time for a change

Good luck everyone anyway

diable

Thanks for the posts guys, I am not one to become demotivated as I have lots of things that need doing and I don't feel guilty about doing absolutely nothing.

Went to my Career Continuation class today and some things where very interesting (I also was one of the happiest people there lol) and have knocked up a draft copy of my new CV and will get it checked out tomorrow.

One thing I did realise though is how much I detest working in the City of London and sitting around the desk did remind me of the corporate sector but I suppose that will wear off eventually ;p

sjcollett

My OH is being made redundant and he had the same feelings as you. To pep him up we chose a cheap break in the sun, made a pact he can play playstation etc for 2 weeks and then after 6 weeks of being a layabout he is to pick himself up and get on with life. Give yourself a break Set a deadline and then that structure should give you a bit more motivation. Hope this helps

diable

Going to chill to relax have some fun and see what happens in the new year ;p

mrs_robinson_3

I too am being made redundant - in fact I leave tomorrow!! Wildly exciting but a bit scary too. It was voluntary anyway, and am leaving with enough money to keep me going for 6 months, so that's a positive place to be in.

Have worked for 20 years and am looking forward to being able to re-assess my priorities, work out what I really want to do with myself - and become some sort of domestic goddess! Have 3 DSs so life is always busy, busy anyway.

Have already voluntered to work for a local project one morning a week - partly because I have been been v lucky in life and want to help others make a start (it's with refugees and asylum seekers, some of whom have literally nothing) but also because I feel sure that the more you put yourself out there, the more opportunities you will create.

Also feel quite lucky as started a business a couple of years ago, which is currently "mothballed", but myself and business partner, who is in same situ as me, can get that going again, or maybe take it in a different direction. And this time we will have the time to do it!

There also appears to be loads of free help and support out there - my library has drop in sessions to help brush up your CV, have enrolled on a free course for 2 hours a week which aims to help me sort out what I want to do with myself from here on in, and might also do another voluntary session for another organisation. And then DS3s school always needs people to help wih reading etc. So you could always investigate those sorts of things too.

So all in all, think will be busier than ever! Especially as intend to keep up my MSE ways with surveys, income generation opportunities (like mystery shopping) etc. I

It's fantastic not knowing what the future holds for me - all I know is, it's up to ME to create my own future, which is quite liberating. Luckily I have a supportive (and working) OH.

I will need to be back in work by next autumn, as we have 2 DSs in indepdendent schools, so that's a real money pit. But feel sure it's all out there for me. Though ask me again in July!!

Anyway, sorry if have hijacked your thread but your situ is similar to mine so couldn't resist!

Do have my own diary on the Debt Free Diaries thread, hop over if you want to take a look

Very best wishes and remember that as one chapter closes, another opens - but you have to keep turning the pages (ie. be motivated!)

Mrs R

dave4545454

congratulations mrs robinson, that's fantastic news, good luck on all your future endeavours, you will love the voluntary work, it's so rewarding

roger196

You need a list of things to do and when they should be done to keep a struture to your day. Make a list of repairs and maintenace around the house, garden and car. If you do not know how to repair your car, lay bricks etc, now is the time to enrol at your local technical college. Fees are usually substantially reduced if you are on JSA.
Next make a list of volunteer organisations for which your existing skills would be useful either dealing with people or on the admin side.
Next look at training courses which would make you more useful to a potential employer eg formal computing certificates, learning a foreign language.
At the back of your mind, all activities should make a potential employer think you have made valuable use of your gap between jobs . Spending your time watching daytime television and !!!!!! on the internet will not impress a future employer. You need to prove that you have not lost the ability to work 9 to 5.

spartacus173500

Just found this thread and found all the replies / comments interesting - thanks all.
A question to roger196 / all if anyone can help.
I was made redundant this time last year and due to savings have been able to afford a 'year off' after 30 years continuous employment.

I did not 'sign on' as unemployed as in my last job i was 'self employed', part of a Limited Liability Partnership.
Will i be able to sign on now, and what will entitle me to JSA and/or benefits - particularly those that will entitle me to reduced college fees as roger196 indicates.

I think i'm too young to retire completely, and also afraid that being out of work is alien to how i was brought up. Anyone else have the same dilema / have any more advice or experience to share?

dave4545454

you should be able to get JSA as long as your visible savings are under 16k