It was difficult to predict how everything would go when lockdown first hit us back in March. As we enter the second wave, it’s easy to feel hopeless and lost as months of restrictions and lockdowns take their toll.
The key thing is to look at what you can control.
And what you can control is how you respond to it.
There are still rules companies must follow, even in a pandemic. It’s a good idea to learn about the process and what your rights are, especially around pay. For example, did you know that the government has brought into law that employees must be paid redundancy on their actual wages, not their furloughed wage?
The Citizen’s Advice Bureau is a great place to start if you need to find out your rights around redundancy. ACAS (the Advisory, Conciliation and Arbitration Service) also have a wealth of information about your rights during the redundancy process.
If you’re a member of a union, speak to your union representative to get advice and help with the situation.
The possibility of redundancy can feel overwhelming, and you may want to avoid thinking about it. It’s important to remember that being at risk of redundancy doesn’t necessarily mean that you will be out of a job. It’s the role being made redundant, not you. Depending on the situation, it may mean that there is a new role within the company that you could move into.
There’s no harm though in getting your CV in the best place it can be, so you have a basic template ready to be adapted if you need it. After all, even if you aren’t made redundant you may still decide to start looking for another role.
Despite everything, there are companies still hiring right now. Don’t be afraid to look into available jobs in your sector and see what’s on offer.
It may be that you need to shift career paths for a little while in order to keep money coming in. Look at your skills and how these may apply to other potential jobs.
Money can be a tricky topic to navigate but looking at your budget is a great place to start if you have any kind of concerns about the future. The Money Advice Service have a budgeting tool that is a good way to break down your incomings and outgoings to help give you a clearer picture of your finances.
The Citizen’s Advice Bureau can also offer guidance and advice if you’re struggling to pay your bills and need information on what support is available.
Going through a redundancy process is incredibly stressful at the best of times even when it doesn’t happen during a pandemic. It’s OK to take the time you need to process what has happened, but it can help to remember it’s the role being made redundant, not you. It’s not your fault.
Try and take some time out of your day to do something you enjoy. Know that if you’re struggling, you’re not alone and there are places and people you can turn to for help. The Mind charity has more information on mental health and can direct you to where you need to get help. Don’t forget, you can also speak to your doctor for support if you’re struggling with your mental health.
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