A job provides stability, security, and a sense of purpose for employees, so it is understandable that redundancy is a difficult process to go through.
But it’s important to remember that redundancy is not personal to you – it is the role you have taken that is redundant, not you, and unfortunately this is an inconvenient process many employees face.
It’s currently a big talking point, as the popular homeware chain, Wilkos, plans to make over 200 redundancies. Bertrand Stern-Gillet, CEO at Health Assured, shares his top tips to help support your wellbeing during a redundancy.
Be selfish!
As with any huge life change, adjusting to this shift can cause you to feel uncomfortable at first. In this transitional period, it’s integral that you prioritise your wellbeing. Although this may sound obvious, ensure that you’ve covered have the basics first, including a good night’s sleep, staying hydrated, limiting alcohol consumption, eating well, and keeping active. When you take time for yourself, it can leave you feeling guilty and selfish – however, it’s important to remember that by allowing yourself to readjust, you’re giving your mental health a well-needed boost.
Know your rights
Where redundancy is concerned, there are certain legal regulations employers need to comply with to ensure you are treated fairly. If you believe this has not been the case, then make sure to raise your concern with the employer, outlining why you believe you have been treated unfairly. You may believe that there has been discrimination involved or your pay is not correct. If you have any doubts, make sure to review your rights and entitlements.
Reset and refresh
While it’s important to bounce back when we have faced hardship, it’s important to find a balance between being proactive whilst searching for work and burning yourself out. It may be difficult to view this event as a positive, however this could be a great opportunity to broaden your horizons and branch into a new career or industry.
Check your finances
With the absence of a regular income, there’s a high chance that financial concerns are going to be at the forefront of your mind. Therefore, it can help to review your budget. If you received redundancy pay, start by figuring out how far you can stretch this. Make sure to consider all your outgoings each month and what luxuries you can cut back temporarily. Some people are entitled to certain benefits during this period, so looking into this could ease the financial burden until you secure your next role.
Check in with yourself
It’s entirely normal to feel a broad range of emotions when losing a job. These emotions could be sadness, anxiety, or in some cases, even relief. It’s important to allow yourself time to process these emotions in a way that’s natural to you. This could be journaling, speaking to peers, or seeking professional help. Whichever method you chose, this will allow you to process the loss and look towards the future in a positive light.
Joanne is the editor for Workplace Wellbeing Professional and has a keen interest in promoting the safety and wellbeing of the global workforce. After earning a bachelor's degree in English literature and media studies, she taught English in China and Vietnam for two years. Before joining Work Well Pro, Joanne worked as a marketing coordinator for luxury property, where her responsibilities included blog writing, photography, and video creation.
