Redundancy

[Smartie]

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We're just finishing off redundancy negotiations. Originally there were 738 from 1590 on the chopping block, but thanks to the furlough scheme we've managed to put off making any redundancies until at least 31.12.2021. We agreed on a voluntary redundancy scheme for those that want to leave now. Using the factors that we've agreed upon for voluntary redundancy I could walk out the door with a little over 2 years salary. I'm seriously considering it and using the money to make a career change. I'm thinking of doing an HGV driving course with a dangerous goods certificate and throwing in a forklift truck license whilst I'm at it. Having worked in the airline industry for 16 years now I just want a job where I have little or no contact with the general public. I've got 10 days to make up my mind.

Interesting what you say about working with the public.

I must admit, I’m finding it harder than ever to satisfy the public. We have our core regulars who know and are happy with our offering but I’m starting to get really fed up trying to satisfy impossible demands - and being held to ransom with the “if you don’t do what we say we’ll go online and give you a bad google review.”

I think I need a job where I’m locked away in a room with as little human interaction as possible.

[Keith_M]

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Personally I'd be jumping at that but everyone has their own circumstances to consider.

All the best

Yep, I wish my work would make me redundant with two years salary as a pay off.

[Scouse Hibee]

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Righty ho then!

I’ll let this thread stay on topic rather than bother replying in any detail to that steaming pile of a post.

Yes best not to feed it.

Another thing I will say about redundancy is that in a strange way I felt like a massive weight had been lifted from my shoulders. The job had begun to drag me down without me really realising.

[Hibrandenburg]

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Personally I'd be jumping at that but everyone has their own circumstances to consider.

All the best

Thanks Speedy. I realise I'm in a fortunate position and hope others manage to get their futures secured.

[Hibs Class]

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Yes best not to feed it.

Another thing I will say about redundancy is that in a strange way I felt like a massive weight had been lifted from my shoulders. The job had begun to drag me down without me really realising.

This is how I felt when made redundant 11 years ago. Looking back, I realised that when the possibility first became real I had gone through the usual reactions - shock, denial, anger, depression - before landing on acceptance. I had around 9 months between being told we were being taken over and the point at which my redundancy was confirmed, and I spent a lot of that time working in the new company which gave me a real insight into their culture, values and working practices. That let me appreciate that the company I'd worked for for 25+ years was effectively dead and realise that the new company's values were a world apart from mine. So over nine months, I went from thinking redundancy would be the worst thing to knowing it would be the best thing. Financially I will never get back to where I was, but still glad I took it and more than happy with how things worked out, all things considered.

[StevieC]

Not in anyway similar to your situation, in so much as I was at an age where I had no children or mortgage to worry about, but redundancy was the best thing that happened to me.

I was with a company from 16 - 24, and it was all I'd ever known work wise. Got made redundant and picked up a couple of short term jobs to keep me ticking over. Found something I really liked doing and used the a couple of the startup organisations that were kicking about in the early '90s to start a business. Don't get me wrong, the early days were a real struggle, and I had weeks of living off beans on toast, but it's all worked out and I'm now doing quite well in a job that I love doing.

I'd say have a really good think about what you'd like to do, rather than who will give me a job.

[Keith_M]

They've been considering who to make redundant at my wife's work, though it's a relatively small number (I think 4 from a team of 30)

Due to dealing with customers with multiple languages, it's a not been easy to find a balance, as using the 'last in, first out' or least talented options, or whatever, could actually mean some of the sub-teams are short of people that speak certain languages.

They've actually just announced the first redundancy as a woman that's currently on maternity leave. I'm really surprised at that and thought it was against UK employment law.

[Hibrandenburg]

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I think I need a job where I’m locked away in a room with as little human interaction as possible.

That's where I'm at. For the last 25 years I've had face to face contact with the general public and employees. Nearly 10 years as a paramedic and now over 10 years as an employee representative. It might sound harse but I'm kind of burnt out from dealing with other people's problems. It's been a slow burn up until covid that has turned the small flame into a flamethrower. Having had the worries and expectations regarding the jobs of over 1500 people on my shoulders for the last few months has been the final straw. With a deal now in place that secures at least the immediate future of those I represent, it's probably time to bow out on a slight high and concentrate on me and my family for a change.

Actually writing this has cemented my decision. The Yorkie Bars are on me.

[Hibrandenburg]

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Yep, I wish my work would make me redundant with two years salary as a pay off.

Makes you wonder how business manages to thrive in Germany when the employment laws are weighed heavily in favour of the employee? Their industries must be close to collapse due to them having to treat their employees fairly.

[wallpaperman]

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Thank you, sent reply

Hi mate, i can’t see that the reply came through, I think my PM settings are ok, not sure if you want to try again (if there was anything I could help with).

[Hibrandenburg]

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They've been considering who to make redundant at my wife's work, though it's a relatively small number (I think 4 from a team of 30)

Due to dealing with customers with multiple languages, it's a not been easy to find a balance, as using the 'last in, first out' or least talented options, or whatever, could actually mean some of the sub-teams are short of people that speak certain languages.

They've actually just announced the first redundancy as a woman that's currently on maternity leave. I'm really surprised at that and thought it was against UK employment law.

Hope your Mrs survives the cull Keith.

[Keith_M]

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That's where I'm at. For the last 25 years I've had face to face contact with the general public and employees. Nearly 10 years as a paramedic and now over 10 years as an employee representative. It might sound harse but I'm kind of burnt out from dealing with other people's problems. It's been a slow burn up until covid that has turned the small flame into a flamethrower. Having had the worries and expectations regarding the jobs of over 1500 people on my shoulders for the last few months has been the final straw. With a deal now in place that secures at least the immediate future of those I represent, it's probably time to bow out on a slight high and concentrate on me and my family for a change.

Actually writing this has cemented my decision. The Yorkie Bars are on me.

Could I have some of these German delights, please.

RitterSport.jpg

[Keith_M]

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Hope your Mrs survives the cull Keith.

Cheers, I think she'll be OK. There's only three people in the whole team that can speak German

[Bristolhibby]

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They've been considering who to make redundant at my wife's work, though it's a relatively small number (I think 4 from a team of 30)

Due to dealing with customers with multiple languages, it's a not been easy to find a balance, as using the 'last in, first out' or least talented options, or whatever, could actually mean some of the sub-teams are short of people that speak certain languages.

They've actually just announced the first redundancy as a woman that's currently on maternity leave. I'm really surprised at that and thought it was against UK employment law.

Your last paragraph is correct. Same thing happened to my wife when she was on maternity leave.

She’s a teacher and they were rationalising. The two staff that were up for redundancy were the two girls on Maternity Leave.

We ended up getting the Union involved (NUT) who rightly pointed out that they have a protected status and we would be seeing them in court if they persisted with this nonsense.

Funnily enough the school backed down and the savings were found elsewhere.

Still makes me angry to this day, but fair play to the Union they stepped up. Also helped that I’m pretty well versed in employment law.

From Citizens Advice

“ Can I be made redundant if I’m pregnant or on maternity leave?

You can be made redundant while pregnant or on maternity leave, but there are strict rules that must be followed before this can happen.You can’t be made redundant because you’re pregnant or on maternity leave. If you are this counts as “automatic unfair dismissal” and discrimination.

This could be where, for example, the employer has no genuine reason to make you redundant, or there is a real reason to make people redundant but the employer picks you because of a reason relating to pregnancy or maternity leave.

There is additional protection for women who are on maternity leave, or those on shared parental leave. If you are on maternity or parental leave, and there is a genuine reason to make your role redundant, your employer must offer you suitable alternative work if they have it. They should give you this as a priority over other employees.”

Very easy to argue that she was chosen because she was on maternity leave.

Good ole EU, what’s it ever done to protect workers rights?

Another BREXIT benefit, we can now “strip back” that red tape.

https://www.lexology.com/library/det...e-0f3d4d6ee30d

J

[Jakhog1]

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Hi mate, i can’t see that the reply came through, I think my PM settings are ok, not sure if you want to try again (if there was anything I could help with).

Should be sent now

[Tyler Durden]

I’ll chip in aswell. Was made redundant from one of the big banks last year after 16/17 years there straight from Uni. Maybe slightly different from some as was offered a role to stay towards the end of my notice period. But I had got myself in the frame of mind that it was best to move on.

Like a lot of people I aimed for the scenario of having a few weeks off and going right into a new job. The reality ended up being nearly 8 months before I had a new role! Which is probably not uncommon. It was difficult at times and it’s natural to doubt yourself or have feelings of “letting the side down”. But I’ve got a young family too and looking back it was great to have that time with my son.

In terms of advice... being proactive is definitely crucial and you need to almost have a new routine of looking and applying for jobs. I think agencies are only responsible for placing people into less than 15% or jobs. So you’ll be more likely to find something applying directly. Don’t be scared to use any contacts you have even if that doesn’t come naturally.

Things have changed again clearly with COVID (guess you’ll be working from home anyway) so you might want to practice video interviews and thinking about how to make a good impression without the F2F element.

Finally - I’m sure you’ve got loads of strengths and lots to offer. Always remember that. Other companies won’t view your redundancy as a negative in any way. There will defo be jobs out there for you.

[Hibrandenburg]

Just received my offer of voluntary redundancy and have received a job offer as a postman on the same day. I'm tempted, really tempted. It's a quite substantial drop in wages but the thought of all that fresh air and walking is very attractive. I'm 55 next week and will receive my first pension that should help stop the gap and there's also the nearly 2 years salary as redundancy payment.

I'm not from nature the indecisive type, but there's a small niggling feeling holding me back. I've been given a week to decide so will use that before making my mind up.

[Keith_M]

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Just received my offer of voluntary redundancy and have received a job offer as a postman on the same day. I'm tempted, really tempted. It's a quite substantial drop in wages but the thought of all that fresh air and walking is very attractive. I'm 55 next week and will receive my first pension that should help stop the gap and there's also the nearly 2 years salary as redundancy payment.

I'm not from nature the indecisive type, but there's a small niggling feeling holding me back. I've been given a week to decide so will use that before making my mind up.

You're right not to rush into it as that's a big decision to make.

Have you applied for other jobs?

[Hibrandenburg]

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You're right not to rush into it as that's a big decision to make.

Have you applied for other jobs?

No, but I've enquired at a truck driving school about doing my C, CE and forklift truck licenses and Hazmat, I could also go back to school and get my Berufskraftfahrer trade certificate. All in all it would take about 4 months. There's also the possibility to get at least some of it paid for by the Arbeitsamt.

Taking the posty job would probably allow me to choose a better time of year to do hgv training but I'm worried that I might enjoy being "Postman Plod the Miserable Sod" too much that I scrap my original plan B.

Like you wisely say, I'm not going to rush into anything yet.

[Keith_M]

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No, but I've enquired at a truck driving school about doing my C, CE and forklift truck licenses and Hazmat, I could also go back to school and get my Berufskraftfahrer trade certificate. All in all it would take about 4 months. There's also the possibility to get at least some of it paid for by the Arbeitsamt.

Taking the posty job would probably allow me to choose a better time of year to do hgv training but I'm worried that I might enjoy being "Postman Plod the Miserable Sod" too much that I scrap my original plan B.

Like you wisely say, I'm not going to rush into anything yet.

Maybe you should be the new Cliff Clavin, and enlighten the world with your words of wisdom...

[Hibrandenburg]

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Maybe you should be the new Cliff Clavin, and enlighten the world with your words of wisdom...

I'm already a disciple of the great man.

[hibsbollah]

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Just received my offer of voluntary redundancy and have received a job offer as a postman on the same day. I'm tempted, really tempted. It's a quite substantial drop in wages but the thought of all that fresh air and walking is very attractive. I'm 55 next week and will receive my first pension that should help stop the gap and there's also the nearly 2 years salary as redundancy payment.

I'm not from nature the indecisive type, but there's a small niggling feeling holding me back. I've been given a week to decide so will use that before making my mind up.

Thats really interesting about the postman thought. 15 years ago I was made redundant, experienced some highs (time with my kids, battery recharging) and lows (feelings of worthlessness, anxiety etc) and then applied for and got a postie job as a lifestyle choice. It sounded just what I needed; fresh air, extra exercise, time to recharge the batteries. I lasted 8 days I think it very much depends on the round you get, certainly in the UK. The cushy rounds are worth their weight in gold, mine was characterized by running away from angry alsatians (stereotype but it’s a true one, check out the stats for hospitalisation of postmen) and getting home well after dark with as yet undelivered mail in a bag at the front door. hopefully you will have an easy round tripping around rural Germany watching the autumn leaves turn gold

[GreenNWhiteArmy]

Midweek I was told my job is at risk. I work for a major organisation and always sort of felt protected. So being told at 31 i may be made redundant hit like a ton of bricks

I felt terrible the first 24 hours. Having a mortgage, a family, bills etc it made me feel like a failure and that we could lose it all.

After some lengthy chats with some good friends and time to gather my thoughts im now a bit more relaxed knowing I'll have a 10 year redundancy package and gives me an opportunity to change career, something I've contemplated for a couple of years now

Don't really know what my point is other than sharing my story and getting my thoughts out - I suppose one thing I would say is talk. These are life changing and can have major impact so if you're at risk or are in the process of being made redundant don't bottle all your feelings up

[Hibrandenburg]

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Midweek I was told my job is at risk. I work for a major organisation and always sort of felt protected. So being told at 31 i may be made redundant hit like a ton of bricks

I felt terrible the first 24 hours. Having a mortgage, a family, bills etc it made me feel like a failure and that we could lose it all.

After some lengthy chats with some good friends and time to gather my thoughts im now a bit more relaxed knowing I'll have a 10 year redundancy package and gives me an opportunity to change career, something I've contemplated for a couple of years now

Don't really know what my point is other than sharing my story and getting my thoughts out - I suppose one thing I would say is talk. These are life changing and can have major impact so if you're at risk or are in the process of being made redundant don't bottle all your feelings up

That sounds like an opportunity more than a crisis. Good luck.

[Scouse Hibee]

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Midweek I was told my job is at risk. I work for a major organisation and always sort of felt protected. So being told at 31 i may be made redundant hit like a ton of bricks

I felt terrible the first 24 hours. Having a mortgage, a family, bills etc it made me feel like a failure and that we could lose it all.

After some lengthy chats with some good friends and time to gather my thoughts im now a bit more relaxed knowing I'll have a 10 year redundancy package and gives me an opportunity to change career, something I've contemplated for a couple of years now

Don't really know what my point is other than sharing my story and getting my thoughts out - I suppose one thing I would say is talk. These are life changing and can have major impact so if you're at risk or are in the process of being made redundant don't bottle all your feelings up

I pretty quickly turned it round in my mind to a massive positive and an opportunity to do something completely different. Like many people told me, I would possibly have never taken the new challenge on otherwise.

[Keith_M]

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Midweek I was told my job is at risk. I work for a major organisation and always sort of felt protected. So being told at 31 i may be made redundant hit like a ton of bricks

I felt terrible the first 24 hours. Having a mortgage, a family, bills etc it made me feel like a failure and that we could lose it all.

After some lengthy chats with some good friends and time to gather my thoughts im now a bit more relaxed knowing I'll have a 10 year redundancy package and gives me an opportunity to change career, something I've contemplated for a couple of years now

Don't really know what my point is other than sharing my story and getting my thoughts out - I suppose one thing I would say is talk. These are life changing and can have major impact so if you're at risk or are in the process of being made redundant don't bottle all your feelings up

I was about your age when I decided to (finally) go to University.

I'd always had ****ty jobs, and had never earned much money, so finally did something about it by taking an Access Course at Stirling Uni. I then studied there for another four years in Computing Science. I worked part-time throughout and it was a hard slog but got there in the end,

I've been working as a Software Developer ever since and it's led to some really interesting experiences, living and working in places I never imagined (like Vienna, Bruges and Munich).

It can be difficult but sometimes a change can be for the better.


Best of luck.

[Dmas]

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I was about your age when I decided to (finally) go to University.

I'd always had ****ty jobs, and had never earned much money, so finally did something about it by taking an Access Course at Stirling Uni. I then studied there for another four years in Computing Science. I worked part-time throughout and it was a hard slog but got there in the end,

I've been working as a Software Developer ever since and it's led to some really interesting experiences, living and working in places I never imagined (like Vienna, Bruges and Munich).

It can be difficult but sometimes a change can be for the better.


Best of luck.

Well done on this Keith, huge leap, big inspiration as well, I’m 38 this pandemic, being put on furlough for 5 months and the threat of redundancy made me get my head out the sand a little and realise I’m working one of these ‘***tty’ jobs and instead of worrying I should be attempting to better myself, so I started a open uni course in Computing & IT with Buisness management as a second course I’m loving it so far. Still working the ***tty job and redundancy is still hanging over but I’ve realised in part to this thread I’ve a nice package to come and soften the blow it isn’t all doom and gloom, once I get Xmas and new year out the way I’m planning on looking for others in the field I’m studying or just to get out where I am and work hours that help me do more study and more of a life balance paid off or not.

[GreenNWhiteArmy]

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That sounds like an opportunity more than a crisis. Good luck.

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I pretty quickly turned it round in my mind to a massive positive and an opportunity to do something completely different. Like many people told me, I would possibly have never taken the new challenge on otherwise.

This quote is hidden because you are ignoring this member. Show Quote

I was about your age when I decided to (finally) go to University.

I'd always had ****ty jobs, and had never earned much money, so finally did something about it by taking an Access Course at Stirling Uni. I then studied there for another four years in Computing Science. I worked part-time throughout and it was a hard slog but got there in the end,

I've been working as a Software Developer ever since and it's led to some really interesting experiences, living and working in places I never imagined (like Vienna, Bruges and Munich).

It can be difficult but sometimes a change can be for the better.


Best of luck.

Cheers folks, certainly in a much better place now than i was last week and looking forward to the opportunities that may come my way

[Keith_M]

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Well done on this Keith, huge leap, big inspiration as well, I’m 38 this pandemic, being put on furlough for 5 months and the threat of redundancy made me get my head out the sand a little and realise I’m working one of these ‘***tty’ jobs and instead of worrying I should be attempting to better myself, so I started a open uni course in Computing & IT with Buisness management as a second course I’m loving it so far. Still working the ***tty job and redundancy is still hanging over but I’ve realised in part to this thread I’ve a nice package to come and soften the blow it isn’t all doom and gloom, once I get Xmas and new year out the way I’m planning on looking for others in the field I’m studying or just to get out where I am and work hours that help me do more study and more of a life balance paid off or not.

That was my (original) main and second courses as well. I wasn't so keen on the business management but kept the computing part going, as I thought it was really interesting.

Best of luck and well done for making the effort.

[Jakhog1]

Just got asked to take voluntary redundancy over compulsory, will get to leave a month earlier and still be paid, could affect a few of my work benefits if I go early, seems they want me off the books by the year end. Not sure what to do but now seeing this as a great opportunity to retrain and have taken a lot of hope from others on here