My experience of redundancy (My experience of Redundancy)

Member Name: liz3yy

Product:	My experience of Redundancy
Date:	04/01/09 (124 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Can be a chance for a fresh start

Disadvantages: Terrible feelings of rejection

Redundancy is a horrible experience to go through and I wouldnt wish it on anyone, unfortunately however its happened to me once and twice sadly to my partner.

In my case I was suddenly told I was out of a job almost 4 years ago. I had worked for my employer for 4 years and for the most part was very happy, I had a decent job with interesting work, friendly colleagues and earned a decent wage. There was certainly no suggestion that anyone was about to be dropped and I had no way of knowing that my head might be on the chopping block.

I'll never forget the way I was told, my boss sent me an invitation to a meeting but didnt include any information as to what the meeting was for. I asked him and he said he just wanted to check I was available at the specified time. I confided in my colleagues who agreed it was off but assured it me it couldnt be anything strange or something to worry about and I forgot about it.

The next day I went to my bosses office for the meeting and he asked me to accompany him to the conference suite, at this point alarm bells stated to ring and I could feel my palms growing increasingly hot and sweaty and I was wondered what on Earth was about to happen. When we got to the conference room a member of HR was waiting for us, oh crap I thought, I've made a mistake and I'm about to be formally warned about it. Erm no, it was worse than that....

We all sat down and my boss very calmly said that due to cut backs I was to be made redundant effective immediately! I burst into tears and straight away thought of how I was going to pay my mortgage which I'd only had for a year. The companies lack of symapthy for my plight was deafening as I was asked to leave straight away and come back the following Monday to clear my desk! they wanted me out straight away and told me I was to put on garden leave for a month.

My colleagues were shocked and very upset for me and I would imagine wondering if anyone elses job was on the line, their words of comfort did something to take away the shock and hurt I was feeling but not for long....

The rest of the day went by in a blur as I staggered home, I cried all the way home not caring what people thought of me and for some reason I got off the train at the wrong station on the way and wandered up and the down the high street 3 times before realising where I was. My stomach ached as if I had been hit, the pain I was feeling was so strong it physically hurt and made me feel sick, I lost 7lb the following week from the worry.

I was out of work for 6 weeks in the end which doesnt sound much but at the time the days and weeks dragged with the worry of wondering if I would find another job. Luckily I received a fairly healthy redundany payout from my ex-employer which payed the bills until I found work again but it didnt ease the stress I was under. The day I was told I had been offered a new job I screamed the house down as the relief washed over me that things would finally be ok.

I was young at the time being only 26 so had age on my side but nothing will erase the horrible memories of being made to feel so rejected. At the time I thought my life was over and I'd have to sell my flat etc... but eventually it turned out to be a turning point for me and led to me meeting my current partner.

Redundany doesnt have to be the end of the world, if you can overcome it you can overcome anything.

Summary: Something I wouldnt wish on anyone