“I’m Being Made Redundant” – What Happens Next?
Last week, a client booked a last-minute call with me.
It wasn’t scheduled. No long lead-in. Just one of those moments where something changes, and you need to talk it through.
Then the call started.
“They’re planning to let me go.”
He works remotely for a European tech company that’s now restructuring — consolidating teams, reducing costs. To their credit, they were handling it professionally: giving notice, involving him in discussions, allowing time to prepare.
But none of that really softens the initial shock.
He’d been performing well. Strong appraisals. A sense that things were moving forward. And suddenly, that ground shifted.
You could see it — that moment where someone is trying to process everything at once. Financial concerns, career uncertainty, family responsibilities… all landing together.
So we took a step back and got to work.
First: Understand the Position
We reviewed the redundancy terms in detail. On the surface, they were quite generous — but that’s often where people can get caught out. Many people are not so lucky and only get the basic entitlements
One of the most common issues we see is people unknowingly giving up valuable long-term benefits when accepting enhanced packages — particularly around pension entitlements and tax-free lump sums.
So rather than rushing a decision, we focused on clarity:
- What exactly is being offered?
- What are the trade-offs?
- How does this impact the long-term plan?
Then: Build a Plan
Once the numbers were clear, everything started to settle.
We mapped out:
- A realistic window to secure a new role
- How to structure the redundancy payment
- Funding for his son’s future education
- A measured top-up to his pension
More importantly, we reframed the situation.
With time and financial breathing space, this wasn’t just a setback — it was an opportunity to make a better move.
In fact, as we talked it through, something else came to light. The role he was in hadn’t been a great environment. He’d been putting up with it, focusing on progression, but not really stepping back to ask if it was right for him.
Now, he had the space — and the push — to change that. and the confidence to update his LinkedIn Profile
The Shift
By the end of the call, the difference was noticeable.
Same situation. Same facts. But a completely different mindset.
Instead of uncertainty, there was a plan.
Instead of pressure, there was time.
Instead of feeling stuck, there were options.
And that’s often the real value of these conversations.
It’s Not Just About the Numbers
Yes, we deal with the technical side — structuring payments, protecting long-term benefits, making the numbers work.
But what often gets overlooked is the impact that clarity can have on someone’s overall wellbeing.
When people understand their options — when they feel some level of control again — it can completely change how they experience what’s happening.
In this case, what started as a difficult conversation ended with a renewed sense of direction.
A Final Thought
If you ever find yourself in a situation like this, don’t sit on it or try to figure it out alone. Book a call with me here.
Redundancy, career changes, financial uncertainty — these are all things that can feel overwhelming in the moment. But in most cases, there are more options than you realise.
Sometimes, all it takes is a conversation to bring them into focus.
Joe Carroll