How to Cope with Redundancy: A Personal and Honest Guide

Okay, the company I work for just dropped the R bomb (my job is safe), so I figured it’s time we talk about something that, frankly, no one wants to talk about until they get the email - redundancies. I don’t know how I became an unintentional expert on this topic, but after being through seven of them over the years (being at risk, losing my whole team, and even coordinating the process for the company), I figured it’s time I share what I know. Not from a policy or HR perspective - but as someone who’s sat through the panic, the guilt, the confusion, and the long walks home wondering what the hell just happened.
The thing is, when you hear the word “redundancy”, it lands like a punch. Even if you kind of see it coming, it still knocks the wind out of you. There’s a weird shame that comes with it - as if being made redundant is proof you weren’t good enough, fast enough, useful enough. But let me stop you right there. That feeling? It’s normal. But it’s also a lie.

Redundancy Is Not a Performance Review

In most cases, redundancies aren’t about you at all. I know that sounds like a breakup line – “It’s not you, it’s the business model” – but it’s true. Some of the sharpest, most hard-working, reliable people I know have lost their jobs in a redundancy. I’ve seen it first-hand – people who kept entire projects afloat, who went above and beyond, who were team favourites. Gone. Because their role no longer fit into someone’s spreadsheet.

And I’ve been on both sides of it. I’ve had to sit in meetings and provide feedback that could have tipped the scale for someone. As a young project manager, I was once asked to say who replied faster to emails. That was the bar. Not strategy, not contribution. Email speed. You can imagine how that sat with me.

When the System Feels Broken, You Start to Internalise the Cracks

Over time, going through so many waves of restructuring, you start to pick up on a pattern: the logic is rarely logical. In one company, the mood got so grim after several rounds of cuts that our department just… stopped pretending. We took a very long lunch the day it was announced. And do you know what happened? Something beautiful. We came back and decided, as a team, that we’d rather each take unpaid leave than let any of us lose our jobs.

To my surprise, management said yes. They even preserved our pension and national insurance contributions. And when the market recovered, our contracts were restored. It was proof that when people act with heart, even corporate decisions can bend a little.

But Let’s Not Romanticise It – Redundancy Sucks

Even when it’s handled well, it’s still awful. I’ve seen it done with compassion, and I’ve seen it done with a coldness that leaves a mark. I once had a manager call me after hours to tell me my entire team had been made redundant. No warning, no input from me, no plan. I was crushed. Not just for me, but for my team. I tried to advocate for them, to find solutions, but was told I didn’t understand how companies work. I still get a tightness in my chest thinking about it.

So If You’re Going Through This Right Now…

Here’s what I want you to know:

  • You are not a failure.
  • This is not a punishment.
  • You are still needed in this world.

Companies restructure. Markets change. Economies wobble. And people get caught in the crossfire.

There’s data to support what we feel in our guts: redundancies often don’t lead to the savings they’re supposed to. They reduce morale, productivity drops, and companies end up rehiring or outsourcing – often at a higher cost. So if it feels like madness, that’s because it kind of is.

But your job is not to fix that. Your job is to take care of yourself.

Here’s What’s Helps:

Let yourself grieve – Because even if you hated the job, this is still a loss. Don’t rush to spin it into a “growth opportunity” if you’re still in shock. Reach out – Talk to someone who gets it. A friend, a coach, a therapist. Not just about the job, but about the story you’re telling yourself. That’s the one that really matters. Don’t isolate yourself professionally – People want to help. Let them. Message someone you admire. Reach out to a former colleague. Even a single conversation can open doors. But don’t expect anything. Let it shake something loose – Sometimes a redundancy is just a redundancy. But sometimes, it’s also the nudge you needed. You might not want to hear that yet. That’s okay. Just plant the seed.

You’re Allowed to Be Angry. And Hopeful. And Confused. All at Once.

If this is your first redundancy, I’m so sorry. I know how hard it is. If it’s your third or fourth or eighth – well, same. It doesn’t necessarily get easier, but you start to see the patterns. You stop blaming yourself quite so much. You stop believing that your whole identity lives inside your job description.

One last thing: if you’re safe this time – if the email didn’t come for you – check in on your colleagues. Be kind. Be generous. Don’t disappear.

Because this is the one truth I’ve learned again and again: our value was never in the job title. It’s in how we show up when it matters.

💼 Practical Tools and Resources for Navigating Redundancy

If you’ve recently been made redundant – or you’re worried you might be – here are a few supportive, no-nonsense tools and tips that can help you get your bearings again:

1. Understanding Your Rights

No matter where you are in the world, understanding your basic rights is empowering. Here’s where to start:

  • Government Websites – Most countries have dedicated resources for employment rights and redundancy. Try searching:
    • “Redundancy rights site:[your country’s domain]” (e.g., for the UK: gov.uk)
    • For other countries, add terms like “labour law” or “termination rights” to your search.
  • Citizens Advice Organisations – Look for not-for-profit organisations offering free legal guidance (e.g., Citizens Advice UK, Legal Aid in the US).
  • ACAS (UK-specific) – Offers guidance on fair redundancy processes: acas.org.uk

2. What to Ask Your Employer

Even if it feels awkward, ask questions. You’re allowed. Some helpful questions:

  • Am I eligible for redundancy pay or a severance package?
  • Will you provide outplacement support or a reference?
  • Am I entitled to unused holiday pay?
  • Can I extend my notice period or access career coaching?

3. Career Support and Upskilling

Sometimes, the best antidote to uncertainty is feeling like you’re gaining ground again.

  • Career Coaching – Check if your employer offers a career coach as part of your exit package. If not, there are many affordable coaches specialising in career transitions.
  • Upskilling Platforms

Many of these offer free courses or trials – great for refreshing your CV or pivoting careers.

4. Financial Planning

Redundancy might throw your finances into a bit of a spin. A few basics to steady the ship:

  • Use a budgeting app like YNAB (You Need a Budget), Emma, or Goodbudget.
  • Review your essential expenses and cancel or pause non-essentials.
  • Check your pension arrangements, especially if you had employer contributions.
  • Explore unemployment benefits in your country and mortgage/rent holidays if applicable.

5. Mental Health & Emotional Support

Even if you’re financially okay, the emotional impact of redundancy can hit unexpectedly hard. Please don’t go through it alone.

  • Therapy & Counselling
  • Peer Support
    • Online communities like Reddit’s r/jobs or forums like The Muse offer a safe place to vent and share.
  • Books That Help
    • “Designing Your Life” by Bill Burnett and Dave Evans – Great for career design after disruption.
    • “Reinvention” by Shane Cradock – Especially if you’re entering a new phase.
    • “Transitions” by William Bridges – A classic on navigating personal and professional change.

6. Reflection Tools

  • Year Compass – yearcompass.com – A beautiful free booklet to reflect on your past year and plan ahead.
  • Journaling Prompts – Ask yourself:
    • What part of my identity felt tied to my job?
    • What did I enjoy most (and least) about it?
    • What’s one thing I’ve learned that I want to take with me?

If nothing else, let this post be your reminder: redundancy is not the end. It’s the unexpected start of something you haven’t imagined yet. And you don’t have to figure it all out this week.