It finally happened- redundant

londoner1998

Hello all

a year to the day after I was told my job was at risk, it finally happened. The official date was 10th August to start with, but before then I managed to interview and get offered a contract for 5 months (same company), therefore postponing my redundancy date to 4th Jan.

I worked my b*tt off during that contract, as I really wanted to stay and I was really enjoying the job, going well over and beyond my remit but even though I did a killer interview for the same position (there were three vacancies for very similar roles), in the end I wasn't offered a permanent role. So I continued applying and doing interviews in other departments with no luck . At the end of December (and after illness due to stress and a lot of pressure form my manager to deliver what nobody else does, crowned with a shouting display by my line manager two days before going away) I went to India with my partner on a trip planned over two years ago (which is the reason why my contract was 5 months and not a year, as initially offered) and came back to two interviews that were my last hope (i have been on unpaid leave this month as the interviewws were pending). So today I got the results and didn't get either.

I feel numb and although I know this is probably for the better (the last year has been terrible with stress, as I was bullied during a Union meeting by a senior manager who then proceeded to tell my new bosses I am 'difficult'- nb- I am a active member of the Union and he hated me being in the meeting asking specific questions), I am not sure how I feel. Part of me know this is the beginning of something new and as such as I should embrace it. As I was coming home, I felt (dare I say it) excited at the prospects of new opportunities, but I also know how hard it is out there and I saw my brother go through unemployment throughout his 20's and 30's back home in Spain, so this is something always to be avoided in my mind.

My partner is dumbfounded too- we both expected me to get a job. Being in India has been great and really opened my mind (literally) to other things in life and I have come back with a spring in my step- now I feel I am at the beginning of something new that I am not familiar with- any tips, advice or shared experiences are welcome. I don't want to get demoralised just yet- my redundancy will last for about 5-6 months and allow me to pay the cc bill for India, so it could be worse...

Thank you and apologies for the rant.

Ax

Googlewhacker

considering what you just put I'm amazed you really expected to get the job, to them you were a nuisance (Union work etc) and this was an easy way out for them.

But as you say, a great chance to do things you want to do now so unless you feel you can prove that the reason for dismissal was unfair don't dwell on it and move on

Off_PeakReturn

My husband was made redundant after many years of loyal service and I know how it affected him at the time. On a postive note, he re-trained and has been employed in his new career since graduating so there can be light at the end of the tunnel.

All the best, Londoner.

OPR

nearlyrich

Redundancy doesn't have to be the end it can be a beginning good luck

londoner1998

yes, I know it can be the beginning something better, but I just don't know where to start... I am very sued to the application process within the company (it is a very well known, very large corporation) and I was more than used to it and to the rejections (I moved areas three times in 5 years, the first time I was on contract so that's when I got a permanent job there). The not going to work every day is going to be the worst, although I welcome a change after an awful year. I am trying to stay positive, after after *almost* getting the job several times in the past two months (admittedly a couple were a big step up, but I still got the interviews and really good feedback afterwards) this is new... and it is a huge void that I am not familiar with. I know what to do in practical terms (cv's, applications, etc...) but I am lost on the rest...

gallygirl

Nothing to add except to say good luck to you, I hope your positive attitude continues and brings results soon

albionrovers

I was in pretty much the same position 2 years ago after 10 years with a big company and remember clearly how I felt at the time. It's almost like a mourning period which you need to get through and come out the other side. Forget the company and look forward, I ended up joining local council after 20 years in the private sector due to recruitment freezes everywhere but am now back in the private sector doing what I do. Again, forget your previous company and move forward, very important to get that closure. Tip - remember, local councils have their own recruitment websites, google them.

getmore4less

One thing to kick into gear is networking with as many previous collegues as possible.

A lot of jobs are filled by networking.

I would also be very selective with how you describe the Union activity.

Are there any support groups, we have a local one aimed at professional/management that has weekly meetings where people in the same boat get together to practise interviews fine tune CV's and have workshops on various topics.

To help fill any time void it might be worth looking at a few project at home, fix the home up, learn a new skill, or even consider some volunteer work.

londoner1998

Good morning all
thank you for your replies- in my hearts of hearts, I know this is the best outcome. It was very difficult to progress where I was and the effort invested in application forms and interviews were bringing very little rewards. It is not a good time in this company, and it won't be for a while.
After a very grumpy night, I woke up a bit tired (late night) but full of beans. I am organising my job search, making a log of applications to be submitted, contacts for these applications to approach for more info and a good list of potential companies to look at and consider. All this written in a bright red 2012 diary I bought in India from a lovely booksellers with lots of sections, positive quotes and beautiful illustrations. I thought I didn't need it but I felt compelled to buy it. Now I know why!

I have been thinking of doing a translation and interpreting course for a while, as I am a native Spanish speaker, but don't have the qualification- this might be the time to look at it and see if I can afford it. That might bring new potential income streams. I recently also closed a Natwest credit card that I hadn't used for months, with a £0 balance, and applied for a LloydsTSB one for Avios points and the balance transfer- that will make paying a £ 600 from my India trip easier. I have to go into the bank today to show proof of address... so I think I will be busy.

I am on a thrifty drive anyway, but I will be extra careful so that I can afford my twice-weekly yoga classes and occasional workshops- these have kept me sane during the past year and are my only 'extravaganza'- but I consider it a health insurance too. The upshot of the redundancy is that after India (where I spent time learning yoga from India masters) I am now cementing my two-hour daily practice in a way that before was impossible. There is a positive side to everything, I guess!!

Keep coming the tips and advice- your experience and good thoughts are very valuable for me right now...

Ax

londoner1998

Hello again

there has been a small, positive development. I had a final meeting with HR and my rep on Friday. There was a discussion about the fact that assistance and help with redeployment had been nil in my case and the fact that in the domestic side of the company (I was in the international), this worked in a very different way and people were given the training and opportunities to be fit in a new , similar job. I stressed that I had put 28 applications in less than a year, and that given the fact that I could have taken the money land left back in August, that should mean something. Out of the 28, I got a six month contract (now over) and for the rest, I had to compete not only with the rest of the company but with the external world too. In most cases I was competing with people who had done the job. HR admitted that that was not fair, and yes, it was true that the domestic section exercised proper redeployment. She said she was going to look into how far I had been from getting those jobs and the scoring, etc...She can't do anything now in terms of finding me alternative employment (is too late), but they are going to use my case as a test case with the unions to try and change the way redeployment works in the international section. And my rep is negotiating with them to allow me to apply for proper jobs (and now just freelancing). I consider that a very good outcome (if it goes that way is planned), should I want to go back sooner than the year if there is anything appealing.

I left the meeting feeling very good about it, very positive and relieved. So apart from a really nasty, and silly argument I just had with my partner about his mum coming for lunch today and him not telling me when or even asking whether it suited me, I feel great!

gibson123

Londoner your last post made me angry, what a shabby way to treat anyone, and how clever of HR to play you so well so that you walked out happy. Clever manipulative people. The fact is that you got nothing except your confidence and self-esteem knocked and they got some-one who worked themselves into ill health for no additional benefit. If they genuinely thought you did not have a fair deal, they could offer you retraining, a work trial in another post, alternative employment or additional support and help. If I was you I would not bother. Pick yourself up, hold your head high and get out with your dignity and a good reference. yes it's difficult out there but not possible, if you had put your efforts into looking after yourself and your future career over the last months rather than working yourself to the bone for this bunch, the chances are you would have your next job by now.