How to tell people you’ve been made redundant and why it matters

With news that UK employers are preparing for the “biggest redundancy round in a decade” (The Guardian) many people will be facing losing their jobs. Losing your job at any point is a scary thing to face, but it’s even worse when lots of people are in the same situation and the job market is saturated. Here’s my tips on how to tell people you’ve been made redundant and why it matters. 

Shifting perceptions of being made redundant 

In my work as a career coach over the past 20 years, I’ve spent a lot of time with people who are being laid off. People used to be incredibly worried about the stigma of redundancy and the potential gap it would create on their CV. But with redundancy now being fairly common as organisations reshape to combat continued economic uncertainty and changes to their operating environment, those views have shifted.  

These days, people can talk openly about being made redundant without fear of being judged, as the chances of it happening to all of us at some point in our careers has significantly increased. People will feel differently about being made redundant depending on their personal circumstances – some might be even happy about it! Whatever you feel about being made redundant, it’s no longer a shameful thing and telling people can unlock opportunities.  

Why is it important to tell people you’re being made redundant? 

There are a few reasons why telling people the news that you are at risk of or are being made redundant is really important.  

Firstly, people close to you are your support network. Even telling them while you’re going through the consultation and before you’re certain about the outcome can be useful. They are unlikely to judge you, and you’ll need some emotional support as you ride out the rollercoaster of the consultation process. It can take some time and be very stressful, even if you end up keeping your job. 

It’s also important because people may be able to offer you practical help. Whether that’s giving you a tip off about jobs coming up where they work, introducing you to people who may be recruiting for someone with your skills, or even giving you access to the hidden jobs market – where roles may not even be advertised. For more on that and how to work it to your advantage, read my blog about it. Your network really is an invaluable source of help, so don’t keep your cards too close to your chest or you could miss out. 

How to tell people you’re being laid off 

So how do you tell people you’re losing your job? There is no question that how you tell them will affect how they perceive and respond. So here are our top tips to help you communicate it  

1. Process your own emotions and feelings 

Give yourself time to absorb the information first. You don’t have to tell the whole world as soon as you find out and maybe you only want to share it with people closest to you first of all. Let yourself experience the emotions and feelings and allow yourself some time to process these and even wallow for limited period if this helps, but not for too long.  

1. Have information ready and be clear on your own view  

The people you tell may also have an emotional reaction to your news, so if you can, having some information about the timing and likely impact would be really useful. Try to have made some time to reflect about what you want your next steps to be so you can discuss this with the people you choose to tell.  

Also think about any changes that may need to happen, maybe you need to explain to the kids that the family income is going to change and that may mean some cutbacks for a little while until you get things sorted, but make sure to highlight any positives like being able to take them to school. 

1. Be open to advice but be clear on what you need from people 

When you’re ready to tell people it can help to frame the conversation around what you’re hoping for. If you just want someone to validate your emotions, say that. Some people can’t help but jump to offering solutions and maybe you’re not in the right headspace for that. If you know a person might do this, tell them you don’t need solutions at the moment, just support as you go through the process.  

1. Ask your network for help 

Asking people you know and trust for help can still be difficult, but now is not the time to be shy about your situation. Drop contacts an email letting them know you’re looking for a new role with an explanation of what the ideal role looks like. You could also meet a few people for a catch-up to discuss things in person.  

There’s an “open to work” badge on LinkedIn for a reason, so don’t be afraid to use it. It’s an easy way for recruiters to find you, but it is also a signal to your network that you’re available.  

Being proactive once you know you’ll be without a job is a positive thing to do and could help you line up a new role sooner. You perhaps don’t need to go as far as some job-seekers have and pay for a billboard advertisement, but you can take heart from the story of a former royal butler made redundant from his cruise ship job because of the pandemic. Trevor Walford snagged an interview and new role with a restaurant group after giving his CV out at train stations in and around Leeds.  

If you’re facing being made redundant and looking for support with how to tell people you’re being made redundant as well as your next steps in finding a new job, book a free, no-obligation chat with me today.