LIFESTYLE

Been made redundant or love someone who has? Anna Britten seeks advice for the newly jobless from West country-based life coach Cathy Summers

So it’s all over bar the shouting. You’ve just been called into the boss’s office and been given what they’ll try to package as a restructuring/economic necessity/chance for a fresh start – and you’ll be unable to see as anything but the elbow. A big, sharp elbow moving swiftly through the air into your jaw.

Feel like sobbing? Go ahead. “The news may have an emotional impact on you,” says life coach Cathy Summers, “regardless of how mature, up-together, balanced, sensible, senior, intelligent, capable etc you are. It’s likely that you will feel shock, tearfulness, denial, anger, confusion, feel out of control, fear or panic at this stage. This is normal. Research has shown that the emotional rollercoaster people experience during redundancy is akin to feelings experienced by people who have been bereaved. It’s easy to see why – it’s about loss and grief.”

Or maybe you’re more inclined to punch the air and yell defiant cuss words? Having worked with hundreds of people facing redundancy (and experienced it herself), Cathy urges restraint. “If redundancy is happy news for you, that’s fantastic, but do remember that your colleagues may be feeling differently! Also bear in mind that it’s not uncommon for redundancy announcements to be handled in an unintentionally clumsy fashion. It can also be very difficult for the person giving you the news, especially if they are young or inexperienced. So if you’re tempted to give them a piece of your mind – think twice. You may regret it later. When you’re given the news, do your best to get a written copy of whatever you have been told, so that you can read it properly after the initial shock has worn off and make sense of it. “Look after yourself whilst you’re struggling to take in the news. Gather a support network around you. If a couple of glasses of wine and a good cry is what you need, go ahead. If it helps, have a rant and rave. But don’t do it on Facebook or Twitter. If you’re looking for another job, going freelance or starting a business, then your reputation is your best marketing tool. As we all know, reputations can be won and lost on social media.”

Once the shock has worn off, Cathy recommends getting as much relevant information as possible. For example, is there a consultancy period before redundancies are decided? Is there an opportunity for you to suggest alternatives to redundancy? What are the timescales? Who in HR can you talk to about your rights? And what support is available to help you cope with the new situation?

“You need a campaign plan. Think ‘whole life’ not just your job or career path. Redundancy can be a great opportunity to take stock of where you are in your life and where you want to be in the next chapter of your life.”

Your HR department is not your only option. The government’s Next Step initiative (nextstep.direct.gov.uk) provides information and advice to support adults in making appropriate decisions on a full range of learning and work opportunities. Certain councils and colleges also offer free career advice sessions, the latter also offering relevant course such as City of Bristol College’s ‘Response To Redundancy’ one-day workshop. Feel the time is right to strike out on your own? Business Link in the South West (www.businesslink.gov.uk/south_west.html) provides information, advice and support for starting, running and growing a business. Their service is impartial, providing practical solutions to customers and they offer an independent solution to individual business needs.

And finally, beware of slipping into ‘victim’ thinking. “Ironically,” says Cathy, “well-meaning friends can sometimes pour fuel onto the fire when you’re having a ‘poor me’ moment. It’s a downward spiral and it robs you of your ‘get up and go’ and confidence. Moreover, a negative and bitter person is not an attractive proposition to a future employer either. It happens to us all every now and again, but other people can usually spot it a mile off, so ask your friends, family and colleagues to do you a favour and alert you if they notice it creeping into your conversation.”

Your seven-point redundancy plan

“Set yourself tasks and goals within a timeframe,” says Cathy. “So that you know you are moving forward. If you don’t have a plan, it’s all too easy to go round and round in circles. Imagine this is a work project. How would you plan it? You’d probably draw up a step-by-step approach, set goals, milestones, deadlines, write a ‘to do’ list of tasks, find people who can help you etc. So do the same with your own campaign plan.”

1 Immediate practicalities – review your finances. Are you OK for now or do you need to take any early, preventative action?

2 Deciding what to do with your life/career. Reflect on what you have enjoyed doing, skills and talents you have enjoyed using, in or out of work, what you know you are good at, what other people tell you that you are good at.

3 Explore options for using (or upgrading) your skills, talents, knowledge, expertise to achieve your goals.

4 Set a timeframe for making decisions.

5 Network widely. Tell people what you are looking for (be as specific as you can) and ask them to put you in touch with people who can give you advice or further contacts.

6 Get your CV up to date.

7 Plan how you are going to sustain yourself on your journey.

CATHY SUMMERS INSPIRED 4 LIFE COACHING. FFI: 07702 806203 OR WWW.INSPIRED4LIFECOACHING.CO.UK

Copyright Anna Britten 2011