My Redundancy Diary

Andyboy

We have just found out that my wifes NI contributions are automatically topped up as she is off work to look after our little lad as he is under 12. :j

If she goes back to work and I am off to look after him for say a year wonder if they will transfer those top ups to me? Anyone know? :think:

By the way I am busily clearing out my files at work and seem to be doing a lot of shredding. I still haven't chased up Working Links or others for prosects of further training. I think it is just a lull I am going through as it still doesn't feel quite real YET!

Andyboy

I finally called WL and they said they could not offer me any help. I think it may be because I left it too long from first starting to use their services and my file has now been closed.

The "overfamiliar" woman speaking "at" me on the phone calling me "luv" told me to contact Job Centre and ask them for help. Thanks!

i will speak with contact in jobcentre tomorrow.

TOP TIP....if you manage to get help from then make sure you do everything they say or they will shut your file and then you will not get any more help. Until tomorrow then.......

SpendlessKaren

I get my redundancy letter of 14 April and will be leaving work on 14 May. I too am counting the days and am luckily enough to be in a financial position that I never need to work and have only been doing so because I enjoyed my job despite being stung by the tax man every month.
I intend to enjoy my time at home and have no intention of ever working again - quite nice to think I will be completely retired at 49
Good luck to you in your forthcoming adventure

Andyboy

SpendlessKaren wrote: »

I get my redundancy letter of 14 April and will be leaving work on 14 May. I too am counting the days and am luckily enough to be in a financial position that I never need to work and have only been doing so because I enjoyed my job despite being stung by the tax man every month.
I intend to enjoy my time at home and have no intention of ever working again - quite nice to think I will be completely retired at 49
Good luck to you in your forthcoming adventure

I am not quite in the position you have, no doubt, worked hard to reach but thank you for your kind comments. I may be able to take time out for a year or so but am far from retired.

How do you propose to fill your time? Does voluntary work appeal to you at all?

SpendlessKaren

I am considering going to college to study something just to keep myself occupied. I was actually traced by an inheritance hunter firm 3 yrs ago and left an income for life .. all very sudden and unexpected and life changing at the same time.
I did give up work then but after 6 months was very bored and went back part time. This time though it will be different as I do intend to fill my time and really do not want to work again.
Now if I can just get my lazy son to leave home life will be perfect lol

SlopingBird

What a great idea for a thread Andyboy. I'll definitely be following this one.

My request for voluntary redundancy from a local government post has been granted and I'm going towards the end of May.

Unfortunately, 11 years service doesn't give me a huge pay off but it means we can keep our heads above water for about a year even without me working (we've made lots of mortgage OPs so no worries there - many thanks to everyone on MFW threads for inspiring me!).

I've been alternating between excitement and terror ever since I got 'the letter'. I really don't want to go straight back into a full-time job but, like others on this site, I've worked full-time for so long it's hard to resist the impulse to rush out and find more of the same. It doesn't help that almost everyone I tell asks 'what are you going to do?' as though I have to have an immediate plan of action.

So . . . at the moment I'm trying to resist doing what is probably the most sensible option, i.e. find another job as soon as possible, and instead I'm going to pursue my dream of being a writer (until the money runs out anyway). At 49, it's now or never for me! :j

I'm also going to follow your thread - it will be great to find out how others are turning redundancy into a life-changing opportunity.

Good luck everyone. If we're all going to be working until we drop, we might as well be doing something we love.

joyce63

I've also read this thread with interest - tomorrow is my last official day as an employee, I'm leaving the civil service after almost 28 years. I'm getting a pretty good pay out but not enough to retire on. I actually did like my job but not my employer - it was a joint venture with another body. I've now applied to work with the other side of the organisation - if that comes off I'll be in a very good place, so I'm keeping my fingers crossed that works out.

I do feel a little scared as at 47 it's not easy finding work, but I'm sure something will come up if Plan A fails to materialise.

Good luck to all in the same situation - I know there's a lot of us about.

Andyboy

SpendlessKaren wrote: »

I am considering going to college to study something just to keep myself occupied. I was actually traced by an inheritance hunter firm 3 yrs ago and left an income for life .. all very sudden and unexpected and life changing at the same time.
..Now if I can just get my lazy son to leave home life will be perfect lol

Sounds like you have had an eventful couple of years. Please do think about giving something back in the form of voluntary work. You seem to be in the perfect position to do this with the right temperament.

SlopingBird wrote: »

What a great idea for a thread Andyboy. I'll definitely be following this one.

My request for voluntary redundancy from a local government post has been granted and I'm going towards the end of May.

........
So . . . at the moment I'm trying to resist doing what is probably the most sensible option, i.e. find another job as soon as possible, and instead I'm going to pursue my dream of being a writer (until the money runs out anyway). At 49, it's now or never for me! :j

I'm also going to follow your thread - it will be great to find out how others are turning redundancy into a life-changing opportunity.

Good luck everyone. If we're all going to be working until we drop, we might as well be doing something we love.

Thanks for the praise on my thread. It seems to be attracting a few followers now.

Excitement and terror are now my middle names and i know exactly what you are saying. :eek:
Well done on chosing to try your hand at something different. This is life afterall and chances don't come along like this all the time. I'll keep adding to this as I go along and am happy for you to join in.

Good luck yourself.

joyce63 wrote: »

I've also read this thread with interest - tomorrow is my last official day as an employee, I'm leaving the civil service after almost 28 years. I'm getting a pretty good pay out but not enough to retire on. I actually did like my job but not my employer - it was a joint venture with another body. I've now applied to work with the other side of the organisation - if that comes off I'll be in a very good place, so I'm keeping my fingers crossed that works out.

I do feel a little scared as at 47 it's not easy finding work, but I'm sure something will come up if Plan A fails to materialise.

Good luck to all in the same situation - I know there's a lot of us about.

Joyce63 (not your age i know) if you work with the other side i still think that dreaded employer is going to be around. Good luck anyway.

If plan a fails it's because you were meant to follow a different route. ThinkWhat you would love to do given a chance and if it is to work for the other side then go for it 100%. If it is become a poet or count daisies then try it until you can't afford it anymore!

I have had a mare of a day and now think what am i doing. i am still flogging myself for the company i leave in a weeks time. Old habits are very hard to stop!!:mad:

SlopingBird

I have had a mare of a day and now think what am i doing. i am still flogging myself for the company i leave in a weeks time. Old habits are very hard to stop!!:mad:[/QUOTE]

I'm doing exactly the same. My manager keeps talking about 'the handover' as though there is someone about to step into my shoes. As I know there's not I'm working like a maniac, trying to do the impossible and leave with an empty in-tray/mailbox etc. All habits definitely die hard.

getmore4less

The trick is to start pushing new jobs/tasks back to the originators with a polite reminder you are leaving.