Redundancy. Just the word itself triggered a cascade of emotions for me – shock, fear, anger, uncertainty. If you’ve recently found yourself facing this unexpected career disruption, you’re not alone. According to recent data from the Office for National Statistics, there were 100,000 redundancies in the UK between November 2024 and January 2025, a 15% increase from the previous quarter.

Having navigated this challenging terrain myself, I want to share some reflections that complement the insights from Jaz’s excellent “The Redundancy Guide” – a resource I highly recommend for anyone in this situation.

The Emotional Impact

When I was made redundant from my role last year, the initial shock was overwhelming. Research from the American Psychological Association shows that job loss ranks among the top 10 most stressful life events, comparable to major illness or relationship breakdown. What I’ve learnt is that this emotional turbulence is completely normal. It’s not just about income; it’s about purpose and identity.

Starting With Self-Care

My career had become intertwined with my sense of self, making redundancy feel like a personal failure even when it was clearly a business decision. A 2024 LinkedIn Workforce Confidence survey found that 68% of professionals who experienced job loss reported feelings of inadequacy and self-doubt.

Taking time to process what happened before diving into job hunting was the best decision I made. This aligns perfectly with the self-compassion approach Jaz advocates in her guide.

Mental Wellbeing Matters

Recent research from the Health Foundation shows that unemployed individuals are twice as likely to experience depression compared to those in employment. This highlights the critical importance of protecting your mental health during this period. Establishing a new routine with dedicated time for mindfulness and physical activity made a significant difference in my resilience and outlook.

Understanding My Responses

Recognising how I typically respond to challenges helped me navigate redundancy more effectively. A 2024 Harvard Business Review study found that individuals who understood their behavioural patterns were 40% more likely to find re-employment within three months. Identifying which patterns were driving my reactions helped me adopt a more balanced approach to job searching and handling rejection.

Opportunity in Disguise

According to a 2024 survey by Robert Half, 65% of professionals who experienced redundancy reported being happier in their subsequent role, with 43% securing higher salaries and 51% finding better work-life balance. Rather than seeing my redundancy as simply an unwanted diversion, I tried viewing it as a chance to reassess my career path and priorities.

The Power of My Network

Recent LinkedIn data shows that 70% of professionals get hired at companies where they have a connection. Despite this, only 38% of job seekers actively reach out to their network when looking for new opportunities. I didn’t let pride or shame keep me from tapping into this valuable resource. My network became my most powerful asset in finding my next role.

Crafting My Story

Learning to talk about redundancy effectively was crucial. A 2023 survey by TotalJobs found that 82% of hiring managers viewed candidates more favourably when they could discuss career setbacks constructively.

Developing a balanced narrative about my experience demonstrated resilience and self-awareness – qualities highly valued by employers.

Moving Forward

If you’re currently navigating redundancy, I encourage you to explore the podcast and guide above. Remember that redundancy is not a reflection of your worth or abilities. It’s a business decision that has created space for something new in your professional life.

The path forward may not be immediately clear, but with the right support and mindset, it can lead to unexpected opportunities.

Have you experienced redundancy? What strategies helped you navigate this challenge? Share your experiences in the comments below.