Being made redundant from a job I loved

A number of years ago I was in a role that I found very difficult, in a way you would not expect. I could have done it blind folded, it gave me no stimulation and I could have had the job done by 11am each day. For some this is a dream come true, for me it was soul-destroying.

Instead of going out and looking for a new role that challenged me, I made the decision to seek my challenge elsewhere. I decided to study instead. I wasn't working the crazy hours that I had been used to in previous roles, I decided to use this new-found time to learn instead of filling it with a new role. I explored different options, and decided on an MBA.

With my decision made, I went to see our Head of Human Resources. I wanted to see if the company I worked for would offer some financial assistance for my study. I was met with an interesting response:

“Oh Sally! If you wanted to do a course that was related to your role, then it would be something we could consider. But, given this isn’t, I am sorry but no. We can’t offer you any support”.

Whilst I was taken a little aback by his remark, I added:
“But this course would be supporting me to grow within this business”.

“No I can’t see how the course that you are suggesting would help” he replied and the conversation quickly ended.

I decided then and there that this was to be something I did by myself, for myself. I didn't need help. I also decided, that this was not a business that I saw myself being a part of in the long term.

I was mid-way through my first year of my MBA when I was approached about a new role. It was an elevated position to what I was doing. It was leading a large team in a retail business that was at the start of a full turnaround. I was incredibly excited about my new role, and the future ahead.

As with all new roles, there was a lot to do. I needed to get to know my new team and the way the company worked. I also needed to develop a deep understanding of a completely new product category. At the same time, we were in turnaround mode. We needed to turn this business around – and quickly. We needed to move at a very fast pace.

The Head of the business, was an unbelievably hard worker, who had such exemplary core values. I was learning from him daily and felt so inspired to do more. We worked hard, my god we worked hard, but it didn’t feel like work. It felt like progress, and our sales were proof of that. I was still studying part-time, so life was full and the hours were long. But I was thriving! I felt alive!

And then things changed. The business which was publicly listed, and part of a larger co-operation, was bought out by a family business. We did not know what this would mean for us and our teams, but we did our best to maintain the positive morale, and continue with the progress we were making.

Around this time, I bumped into the new owners at an industry fair in Italy. I did not know them, but they introduced themselves to me. They then proceeded to tell me that I needed to not let the team worry. "We have no intention of getting rid of people" one of them made clear. I thought how nice of you to say that, and promised to pass the message on to the teams.

Not long after returning from this trip, the takeover was complete and our new owners arrived. The new owners insisted that everyone remain at the office until they arrived. This turned out to be early evening on a Friday.

I remember so vividly them calling every one into a large space, and standing in a line in front of us. Orders were literally barked at us. People were called outside so that they could provide these people access to our IT and security systems. We were spoken down to and were told "to expect changes". These would begin on Monday. "Have a good weekend" the new CEO finished with. And then we were sent home.

My team and I were spared any contact Monday. This changed quickly, when on Tuesday morning, I was called into the CEO’s office. I was informed that I was being made redundant. I was told that this was "nothing personal", that my position was no longer required.

I was given a letter that I was asked to immediately sign, which I declined to do. When questioned, I advised that I wanted to have someone look it over on my behalf, and would sign it when this had been done. I was told very directly, “It is correct Sally, so you need to sign the document”. I again declined and advised that I would sign it when I felt comfortable that it was correct. This of course did not make the CEO very happy, and I was quickly dismissed from his office.

I was asked to leave immediately. This was upsetting for me, as, my team was at lunch and I didn’t have the opportunity to say good bye to them. But I was given no choice. I handed my office keys and security passes to a colleague, and quietly left.

I remember driving home feeling completely shell shocked. Why do you get made redundant from a job you love? I hadn’t felt so alive and inspired for more years than I could remember. I felt like I was making positive progress. I felt valued and privileged to be part of such an amazing team. A team that was led by a truly inspiring leader. Now it was all over!

You go through such a mix of emotions, but my main feeling was of such bitter disappointment. I felt that it had taken me so many years to find my place, and now it was gone. I felt that I had found “my people”. A team that was built on trust, respect, common goals and hard work. A team that was led by someone with unwavering composure, high levels of integrity and respect. I knew how unique this was and wondered "how will I ever find this again?"

The next day, I felt so down and disappointed. I was mourning my loss and spent the day miserable.

On the following day, I woke up and made a very important decision. I had allowed myself one day of misery, and that would be it. No more misery. Misery over.

I also decided not to take this news personally. How could it be personal none of these people had actually spoken to me? None of them knew me. How hard I worked, what I was achieving or what I had planned for the business. I held a role on an organisational chart that they were removing. My name just happened to be attached to it.

Instead of being miserable for the second day in a row, I spent the day getting myself organised. I had someone review my redundancy letter, which I might add was incorrect, and advised the company of their error (which took them over a week to acknowledge and resolve). I cancelled my gym membership which was close to work, and joined one close to home. I then spent time devising how my days were going to be spent.

My plan was simple. I would get up at my normal time. Head to the gym, then back home for a shower and breakfast. Next I would study till lunchtime (I still had an MBA to finish), and then do something different each the afternoon. I would either plan to meet someone for a coffee, read a book at the beach, go for a walk, cook something new – it didn’t matter what it was, but I had to have something planned.

Straight away I felt better. I actually felt good. I felt focused, busy and that my days were going to be productive. I also, and more importantly, felt calm, positive and optimistic.

I knew that my next role was an important one. Not only was my next role something that needed to have a level of longevity, it also had to deliver the key things that I knew were important to me.

I wanted to work for a leader I was inspired by, that made me want to grow and do better. I wanted to genuinely contribute to a business and make a positive difference. That my presence influenced the trajectory of the business. I wasn't just be another cog in an ever-turning wheel. I wanted to be around like-minded people, who shared the same core values as I did. I wanted to learn and grow and be in a place where I had a long-term future.

I knew this opportunity would come, as I truly believed in it. I just needed to be patient. Not a trait I am well-known for, but one I knew would was needed at this time.

The experience is always going to be different for those who have been made redundant. Your experience will be different to mine. But, what I learnt from my experience was really clear:

• It is OK to be upset, but still be kind to yourself.

• What I was upset about no longer existed. The team and environment I had been thriving in, no longer existed under this new management.

• How you deal with the experience is up to you. I decided to allow myself a day of mourning, but then I needed to focus on the future.

• Take the good memories with you and be grateful for the experience.

• Don’t compare yourself to others. You will never resolve the question “Why me and not them”. So, for me it was best not to enter into this way of thinking.

• Don't rush your next move. Make sure it gives you what you want and need. That the role and the company is aligned to your core values. Being somewhere that you are misaligned to from a core values or cultural fit perspective, is incredibly disheartening. You will not thrive in this kind of environment.

• Make sure you have someone with experience, to look over your redundancy paperwork. You need to ensure you have received what you are entitled to. I was so glad that I did as mine was incorrect.

• Keep structure in your days. This keeps you feeling focused and gives you a sense of achievement.

• Learn, learn, learn. There are so many resources available to us online that are either free or have a minimal cost. Learning new skills, or further developing current skills, will help you navigate your next steps.

• Meet (either in person or virtually) with as many people as you can. Your next role should be driven by you. By talking to as many people as possible allows you to expand your network. This network could also play a significant part in you getting your next role.

• Don’t wait for jobs to be advertised. Research people and businesses that align you are aligned to. Businesses you know you could make a positive contribution to. Make contact with people there and ask to meet up with them. Whilst there might not be a role available now, you never know what they have planned for the future.

Whilst, being made redundant from a job I truly loved was terribly disappointing, I later saw this as a true blessing. I would not have fitted in at all with the values and culture that were introduced into the business, and I know this would have driven me to eventually leave. By being made redundant, I had the luxury of time to speak to the right people, and find my next role. My next role would be life changing, but more on that at another time.

If you are made redundant, deal with the experience in the best way for you. Reach out to those you know will give you the support and guidance you need to get through it. Keep busy, and learn, learn, learn. Reskill. Upskill. Do something you have only ever dreamed of doing. And most importantly, be kind to yourself. You may also see the experience as the blessing I did.