Have your say & ask the experts

Yes, been told this morning that I am to be made redundant. Because I've only been there for 14 months, I'm not entitled to full redundancy pay. However, he's putting together a financial package which will close the void. He said I can have as much time off to look for alternative employment. Doesn't really compensate, better than nowt!

Saw this coming three months ago; there was whispers about lay-offs, but it still doesn't lessen the shock.

I think i'll go to bed for a week. It won't help me find work, but it's easier obsorbed horizontal (so I'm reliably informed). 

plastic penguin:

Yes, been told this morning that I am to be made redundant. Because I've only been there for 14 months, I'm not entitled to full redundancy pay. However, he's putting together a financial package which will close the void. He said I can have as much time off to look for alternative employment. Doesn't really compensate, better than nowt!

Fair play that's more than most can expect in that situation, the last three companies I worked for offered the legal minimum redundancy and nothing else. Sorry to hear that though.

I'm self-employed PP, but I haven't worked for 4 months.  Luckily the last two contracts I have had have paid reasonably well and I've saved most of the surplus cash I earnt, so we haven't starved yet.  It's not a very lively market but things are improving.  Get your CV updated (or create one), sell yourself, register with some employment agencies and be relentless in chasing any suitable jobs.

And good luck.

plastic penguin:

Thanks to everyone for your kind words. Clearly they were looking for a sacrificial goat, and they drew me the 'short straw'. I'm a bit deflated at the moment; give it one or two days and I shall be thinking logically.

Oh, was it just you (this is a small firm I guess)? In that case it was probably "last in, first out". Shame there was no-one near retiring age who wanted to go early, my dad did that not long before he retired, to save one of the younger guys with mortgages.

I believe that in life, everything happens for a reason ... sometimes it does not make sense straight away ...

In a few days or weeks time you may land a really good job and will be smiling again ... and you will wonder why you never quit the previous job a long time ago

so good luck with your new search and remain positive!