Possible redundancies at work - bad times

[EarlofBarnet]

Thanks to the bankers making a mess of our economy and the coalition government cutting grants to local authorities it looks like their is likely to be redundancies in my department at work

We've been told that some of us may get a risk letter by the 31st Jan.

I'm not too sure what to do! I'd like to think that I may be safe, but no-one is to be honest. The cuts are pretty drastic for 11/12, and are likely to happen again before 12/13.

Anyone got any words of wisdom they'd care to share?

With a mortgage etc it's pretty daunting stuff.

 

[jamabikes]

tell everyone you owe money to now. even if it doesn't happen at least you gave them as much warning as poss.

how long have you been with your company? also find out what the redundancy package is. the pay out from my other halfs redundancy was enough to keep us going for the couple of months while she re-trained to be a driving instructor.

 

[saltyman]

:? i have been through this myself at a few places in the past......

as mentioned, get down to your bank, let them know and they will give you advice for people you owe cash too, i hope you get sorted.

 

[EarlofBarnet]

Been with the authority for just over five years now. The redundancy package is looking to be one weeks pay for each year people have been with the authority. We're a relatively small authority but the redundancies are over 10% of the work force.

I'm still not sure I'll be one of the un-lucky ones but as my role is relatively specialised it my feeling is that it may be encorporated in to another department and the rest of my role spread out over those left in my department.

Pretty scary stuff, especially when I've a family to support. Think I'm going to try and sell off some 'toys' over the next couple of weeks to get some cash put to one side.

Thanks for the advise everyone. Pretty sure my case will be similar across the UK right now, especially with nearly 700,000 public sector workers facing the chop. Although the PM did say that these jobs would be absorbed by the private sector...

 

[jamabikes]

everyone i know who has been made redundant, or had there role changed, has come out of it better off or happier. i went from a 38 hour a week management role to a 9 hour a week menial job, and i have never been happier. more time with family, christmas off, basically i'm a house husband!

 

[gibbleking]

i work for norfolk cc and they have laid off n awful lot of people.....thankfully our dept is untouched so im not too worried.if it wasme id try to get transferred to another dept if i could....easier when you still work there ....otherwise get looking for a job elsewhere right now...dont hang about and feel guilty ...good luck fella

 

[EarlofBarnet]

People are getting relocated where possible, but there's not too many other departments a part-qualified account could work within our authority. I do have a degree in business studies which can be translated to other things though.

Think I'll leave contacting the bank until the end of the month and see whether I do get a letter or not. If I do get a risk-notice then the actual redundancy won't take place until the end of March.

Would be quite nice to go to a 3 or 4 day week job and then I could do a bit more with the kids and get some more biking in too. Just not sure I could afford it though.

Cheers again for the advice

 

[JeRkY]

I have been made redundant twice now, and a third time with my present employer is not out of the question. Each previous time I have moved on and actually found myself better off in terms of role, enjoyment and financial reward.

I t will be harder with a family to support & a mortgage, but try to look upon it as an opportunity. If or when it happens, do not hang about. Get straight out looking, in fact there is no harm in making initial searches for further employment right now.

My current work has been on shakey financial grounds for the past 18 months. I have been keeping my ear to the ground for roles that sound interesting and offer me a step forward on the career path. I have recently undertaken a phone interview for a firm based in Copenhagen that sounds fantastic, it was swiftly followed up by a face to face after they flew over a representative to London to meet with me. I am still awaiting feedback on that interview but fingers crossed.

What I am trying to say is don't sit and wait for the dawning of doom, get out there and make sure you are standing for the sunrise. (that sounds like some one much more profound than myself should have said it)

 

[suburbanreuben]

What I am trying to say is don't sit and wait for the dawning of doom, get out there and make sure you are standing for the sunrise. (that sounds like some one much more profound than myself should have said it)

You're in the wrong job!

 

[mattbrown]

I went through that crap last year, took vr, as i wanted some control back in my life, I do regret a couple of things, but I went with the info i had at the time, luckily have walk into another job (part time, and a lot less pay)