Q: Hi Chuck, I have been made redundant after 30 years in the company. I am 55 years old. I am very upset and bitter about this. I have put in many years into this company and to be made redundant is very hard. I am 55 and have not applied for a job in 30 long years! Do not directors have a conscience? Where do I start? The money I received will only last for about 9 months with very modest spending. My mortgage payment fortunately is very low. But I still got to work to pay the bills!!
Hi. Being made redundant is a very big blow. No matter how it happens or when it does, it can seem like a tornado that has come unexpectedly and wiped away dreams, aspirations and even our livelihood. Right now you are in shock. Therefore the feelings you are experiencing are not surprising. Especially being angry and even bitter.
However, do not let these feeling stay with you for long else it will begin to affect you negatively and may even affect your confidence, your emotional and mental health. You have acknowledged your feelings, begin to allow those feelings to diffuse. On our website, we have quite a few posts on how to deal with anger and disappointment.
Here is one thing that will help you. Firstly, remember that companies often make redundancies in order to sometimes save the company, or as part of a new drive or directive. Many forward thinking companies often have to make this very difficult decision.
Zoe once shared with me when I was made redundant, how her former boss shared their experience on having to make staff redundant. The boss told Zoe that she could not sleep, was very tearful and very sad in having to let go of people they had worked with for several years.
Making people redundant knowing many have to work to keep a roof over their head is painful. I know you are not thinking that way right now. But try not to take it personal. Many directors have consciences. Some however may not…but lets not labor on that point.
So how do you move forward?
There is not enough space to really go into this as much as I would want to. However here are some very key points you must do:
Know your worth and do not devalue yourself
At 55, many companies may see you as ‘middle age’. They may not see your true worth. However, you have many years of experience. You know your value. And you need to remember how you see yourself is far more important than how anyone else sees you. That mindset will help your confidence which is ‘under attack’ at the moment.
Against hope believe in hope
Remember that when someone loses hope, it is very difficult to help that person. So you need to maintain your hope. In the Bible was a story of Abraham who the Bible says against hope believed in hope. I like to say in difficult situations that against hope, I believe in hope.
After all, there are many 50 somethings and even 60 somethings that still get jobs and fulfilling careers. Who says you are not numbered among them? So remember, even if hope is trying to say there is no hope, choose to believe in hope!
Take practical steps
Financially, you say you are OK. The major part of expenditure is usually accommodation. That fortunately is sorted. However, finances is always a big worry and the biggest stress as you still need some income to pay the bills as you say. So write out a budget and keep to it. Look at what you can cut back on. What benefits are you entitled to?
In the UK, there are some allowances you may be entitled to even though you are a home owner or may have some savings. Check it out. That entitlement is for 6 months so make use of that entitlement to pay off some bills.
Find something to do
When we are not busy, our minds can play tricks on us. Can you do a part time job in the meantime or work at a charity shop voluntarily? I did paper rounds and I am a qualified engineer! However, it helped keep me fit and gave me something to do such as getting out of the house once or twice a week! I also did some private tuition with some children.
As I said your mental health is important. While you are making up your mind whether to look for another job or perhaps have a career change, keep busy.
Find a good support network
Make sure you are around positive people. Not people who will tell you that at your age, there are not much prospects. Of course there are always prospects, even at 90! As a man thinks, so is he, the Bible says.
So ensure you are thinking right. Do not become an island. Get more active in church or any club or activity you are a member of. A good support network will help you to see redundancy as a blessing in disguise.
Redundancy can be positive
Zoe has a friend who was once a photocopy engineer minting it back then. Today of course, there are not many prospects for the skills he had back then. When he was made redundant, he retrained, went back to college and started from the bottom in a career in IT. Today, he is a Consultant rolling in the money. Of course, he has not looked back.
You will be amazed at how much you know after 30 years non stop work. Perhaps it is time you started working for yourself, started a new business, or maybe use those skills in consultancy. Get advice from a career advisor or another professional that can show you how to harness your skills.
So, all in all, do not despair. Remember, all things are working for your good including redundancy. We have several posts on redundancy on this website as I also went through that experience. Please make sure you read them as they will keep your spirits up. All the best!
Chuck