Navigating Redundancy: A workplace psychologist's perspective on coping and moving forward

As a workplace psychologist, I’ve seen how deeply redundancy can impact people. I have coached individuals going through this transition, as well as experiencing it for myself. It can impact not just your livelihood but also your identity. Our jobs and our work play such a central role in our lives. Losing it can feel like losing a part of ourselves.

Redundancy is an emotional journey. There is an initial feeling of shock and disbelief - even if you felt that you knew it was coming, it feels different when it actually happens. For many, this is often followed by anxiety around the future and what to do next. Particularly in the current job market where you’ll find that jobs are increasingly competitive and industries are rapidly evolving.

Clients that I have worked with have described it as “overwhelming”, “crushing” and like “everything they had disappeared overnight”.

You might find yourself uncertain of what path to take next, how to begin the job search or whether you have the resilience to keep going. The most crucial part is finding the motivation to pick yourself back up.

Write down your emotions

One of the most important things that I encourage my clients to do is to name and acknowledge their emotions. Redundancy is a form of loss. It comes with a grieving period and suppressing feelings can make it more challenging to move forward. What are you feeling? What is driving these emotions?

The first emotions to be named are usually anger, hurt and betrayal. But beyond this come some more positive. Relief that you no longer have to work with that difficult colleague, joy at the chance to regain some work-life balance. Focus on these and let them guide your next steps!

Find Support

Equally important is finding support. This might be from friends and family or your professional network. The process of redundancy can feel isolating. Talking through your experience can help you to build resilience.

Who do you feel comfortable expressing your fears and frustrations with? Who do you know that has had a similar experience?

Find a safe space where you feel comfortable expressing your concerns and challenges without facing judgement. It will make your journey feel less lonely and less daunting.

Embrace the change

In 2024 you have more options to redefine your career than ever before. Opportunities to work remotely and learn new skills are continuing to rise. I’ve watched clients pivot into completely new industries, selling themselves as someone “with all of the experience of an older employee and all of the enthusiasm of a younger employee”. Take the time to think about what you really want from your new role.

What is important to you in your career? What aspects of your previous role did you like/dislike? What transferable skills have you gained?

The concept of “career resilience” is becoming more critical than ever. It is not about your ability to bounce back. It’s your ability to bounce forward. To adapt to change, continuously learn and evolve.

The modern workplace demands flexibility, creativity and lifelong learning. It is quickly shifting from the traditional career ladder to a more fluid space. Lateral moves are becoming more common and upskilling is essential. Whilst redundancy can be painful, it can also be a catalyst for this growth.

One of my clients summed it up best “Initially, I thought it was a door closed. Now I see it as a new path that I hadn’t noticed yet.”

For anyone facing redundancy this year, my advice would be to give yourself time to acknowledge your emotions, seek comfort in your support network and welcome the change.

Every ending is the start of something new. Redundancy can uncover new paths that you wouldn’t have considered before.