Straight answers
Questions men ask after redundancy.
Plain answers from someone who spent nearly twenty years recruiting. Not legal or financial advice.
What should I do first after being made redundant?
Breathe, and do not sign anything on the day if you can avoid it. Check the letter for dates, pay and notice. Tell one person you trust. Then give yourself a few days before making big decisions. Practical matters, such as the job centre, your bank and your pension, can wait until the shock has settled a little.
Am I entitled to redundancy pay?
It depends on where you work and what your contract says. In the UK, if you have worked for your employer for at least two years, you are usually entitled to statutory redundancy pay, and your contract may give you more. The GOV.UK guide to redundancy pay sets out who qualifies and how it is worked out. If the numbers look wrong, ask HR in writing, or speak to Acas. Elsewhere, your contract and local employment law decide it, and an employment lawyer or your local labour office can check the figure.
How do I tell my family I have been made redundant?
Soon, and plainly. The longer it stays a secret, the heavier it gets. Say what happened, what you know about money, and what you do not know yet. Children need less detail and more reassurance. Many men dread this conversation more than the meeting itself, and most find their family kinder than they feared.
How long does it take to find a job after redundancy?
I do not know, and anyone who gives you one number is guessing. It depends on your field, your age, where you live and the market. What I saw in nearly twenty years of recruiting is that men who stay in touch with people do better than men who only send applications. Keep talking to people.
Is it normal to feel lost after redundancy?
Yes. Work gives shape, people and identity, and losing it can feel like grief, even if you disliked the job. Most men feel it in waves. Keep a routine and keep moving. If the low mood stays, or you start feeling hopeless, speak to your doctor. And if you are thinking of ending your life, get help now.
Is redundancy the end of my working life?
No, in my view, though it can feel like it. I believe the real talent is about to float to the top, and the question for many men may be whether they want, or need, to work, not whether they can. Sam Altman wrote in The Intelligence Age that "most jobs will change more slowly than most people think". Give yourself time before deciding what comes next.