So far we have looked in detail at the practicalities surrounding being made redundant but it is important to be aware of the psychological impact that redundancy may have on you.

Psychological Impact

Unfortunately, many people are being made redundant each year and no sector is safe from this. Redundancy is usually caused by falling profits, increased competition, takeovers, technological advances or even poor management. In essence, factors that are beyond your control.

The most important thing to remember when faced with redundancy is not to take it personally; the job was made redundant not you. It does not reflect on you as a worker and should not be cause for shame or embarrassment. You should focus on moving forwards rather than looking back.

Negative thoughts

It is easy to slip into negative thought patterns after losing your job, particularly if it is a position you have held for sometime. We tend to wrap up our identity in our job and spend so much of our life working that losing our job can feel like a bereavement. This grief can easily lead you to self blame and anger. It is common to feel like you will not find another job or that you are somehow worthless.

Negative thoughts can prove to be very destructive so it is key that you remain positive. This is easier said than done but there are a number ways you can help yourself in this area. Focus on the positives of your situation. Is there something you always wanted to do? Could you use this opportunity to retrain (see Article 4 for more information on this)? Have you felt that you could receive a better salary or more job satisfaction from another job?

Be constructive

Try to be constructive. Make a list of relevant companies that you might want to approach, register with recruitment agencies and job boards (see Article 5 for more information on this). Make a list of your strengths to remind yourself why you would make a good employee as confidence is appealing to a potential employer. By focusing on the future and the opportunities available to you, you are much more likely to find employment quickly.

Talk to someone

Finally, it is important to know that it is natural to feel upset by being made redundant. You may find yourself shocked at the level of emotion you actually feel when faced with this situation but you should remember that you won’t be alone in feeling this way. If you find that your feelings are preventing you from moving forward or you would like to talk to someone do not be ashamed about seeking professional help from your doctor or a counseling service.

You may find the following numbers useful: