Redundancy

I have now joined the ranks of the unemployed masses; last week I was made redundant, along with 29 other colleagues.

The company has decided that it can control all its services centrally and remotely from HQ in Nottingham, and therefore the West Thurrock office (a much smaller HQ, but operating identical services to head office) is no longer required.

It has come out of the blue, and is all a bit of a shock; particularly as the middle of a recession is possibly the worst time to be laid off. I have been onto the usual job search sites, and there is very little out there that I could fit into (shipping / freight forwarding is quite a specialised industry).

The company has extended an olive branch - the office closes for good on May 12, and anyone who stays until that date is paid an extra month's salary as a goodwill gesture, as well as the standard redundancy package.

It's the first time this has ever happened to me (I'm 27), and it is an extremely surreal feeling. I am surprised at how I am finding that it affects just about every facet of my daily life - almost like a ball and chain shackled to my ankle.

Words of advice, wisdom and encouragement (or job offers )would be greatly appreciated.

Sorry to hear that but it is the most likely time to be made redundant.

Just keep looking around, perhaps take on something simple and easy to quit, to keep the funds in the black. Then actively continue to look for your specialist roles.

I don't have a job either but luckily have a pension to cover my bills.

The Glory is not in ever failing, but in rising every time you fall.

Modified Old Chinese proverb.

Some modified platitudes and philosophies:

1) Re skill and Re turn to work

2) Search and you shall find

3) Every cloud has a silver lining - see this as an opportunity to do something maybe slightly more different, a little more enjoyable and fun.

4) Being unemployed does not mean you are lazy or stupid or that it is your fault.

5) Work is good for your health so long as it is empowering, and not too stressful.

6) Necessity is the mother of invention, when the wolf is sniffing at your door.

7) If you fail to plan then you plan to fail, so plan some contingencies and happy times.

Some modified platitudes and philosophies:

 

1) Re skill and Re turn to work

2) Search and you shall find

3) Every cloud has a silver lining - see this as an opportunity to do something maybe slightly more different, a little more enjoyable and fun.

4) Being unemployed does not mean you are lazy or stupid or that it is your fault.

5) Work is good for your health so long as it is empowering, and not too stressful.

6) Necessity is the mother of invention, when the wolf is sniffing at your door.

7) If you fail to plan then you plan to fail, so plan some contingencies and happy times.

Or, alternatively, I could just go on the game and earn a tax-free killing.

Sorry to hear that mate happened to me 6 weeks ago, and tbh, nothing jobs wise in my town either, especially in my trade steel erecting/construction.

good luck with your search though bud.

It is just a bit disconcerting, particularly as I was more than halfway to making a big enough hole in my debts to warrant buying either a Supra or an MR2 (as I'd mentioned in a previous thread).

It now seems that I have to rein it all in and make it last for as long as possible; after all, I don't exactly know when I will be re-employed.

Oh well - take one step back to move two forward, I guess.

I've been made redundant three times now, same as you with site closures.

My first time was about 1993 and as you say it's a great shock but then I got another decent job after a few months and rose up the ranks there only to get laid off again:blink:

At least you've got the first one out of the way, be prepared for more throughout your working life, if anything it helps get the work/life thing into perspective and I certainly don't look at jobs in the same way as I used to, I put in reasonable effort but refuse to work flat out anymore.

Sorry to hear that. Just keep searching, something will turn up

If you're after easy money, and a job that's easy to knob off when you find a specialised job, doorwork pays well.

Course is £250, badge is £245 and within 5 weekends you've earned it back. Not only that, there are venues that have doormen 7 nights a week! You can also use the Door Supervisor SIA licence to do static security and retail security too! The badge stays with you for 3 years aswell, so if you ever need an extra couple of hundered quid, work's easy to come by. Think the job centre may pay towards the course etc too as you've been made redundant.

If you're interested mate, let me know as I can get you on a course next month.

EDIT: Oh and the course is held in Ashford, and I know a man who'll throw work your way as soon as you're licenced!

Or, alternatively, I could just go on the game and earn a tax-free killing.

Aren't there docks down West Thurrock way? (I used to work at Dunton near Laindon). You could probably earn a bit doing favours for sailors

Aren't there docks down West Thurrock way? (I used to work at Dunton near Laindon). You could probably earn a bit doing favours for sailors

There are indeed - West Thurrock and Tilbury together are just one big industrial site with docks.

I'd like to think that I could attract a clientele a little more upper-crust than the locals round here. Especially being from Dartford myself

It's just frustrating to have worked hard for over four years here and got into entry-level management, just to have the rug pulled from under my feet.

I can't really apply my shipping "skill set" to any other industry, so it seems that I'd have to forgo being an entry-level manager in another profession or another industry.

I believe the appropriate expression is "happy days".

Well, just for fun - I am still out of a job, with absolutely no options on the horizon. Have applied for a good 25 positions or so, receiving about four replies, all of which were negative.

Even looked at joining the Metropolitan Police, only to be told (unofficially and off the record, in their words) that I'd have to join an eight MONTH waiting list to get on the training programme - because I'm a straight, white English man.

If any of those adjectives were not true (ie if I were gay, or non-white, or not English by descent), I could be drafted straight in to the training programme, which is eight months long itself. So telling the truth means I'd have to wait 16 months before being offered the chance to being a fully fledged bobby.

Says something about the state of the country when even the police forces, who are supposedly crying out for new blood, are selective about who they can immediately take on.

A mate has offered a "lifeline" into property management for the firm he works at, but it would mean a massive drop in salary and it is dependent on his superiors deeming me enough potential to warrant an interview. It would be a backward step but one I'm willing to take if it means the chance to take two steps forward in a relatively recession-proof profession.

Disclaimer: this is not intended as a racist, homophobic or ethnic slur, neither should it be viewed as such - merely wish to highlight my frustration at being out of work and the hurdles faced by the unemployed when trying to find gainful employment. I would appreciate if any moderators could read through and see if any of this post could be regarded as inflammatory, risky, or slanderous so I can edit/remove as necessary.

Rant over.

Update: I have now been offered an interview for next Tuesday, so I will squirrel myself away and brush up on my interview skills, as I've not had a proper one for almost five years.

One proper interview after twelve weeks of being out of work is a "good" ratio.

Good luck fella

good luck mate hope it goes well for ya.

i ahd so many mates that left the forces and laughed at me for staying and they are now in the same shoes as you its sad to hear

if your that desperate for a job u could just go and kiss a bloke infront of the guy from the met police who said u cant go in if your not gay... and no i will not help you out on that one

Good luck with the interview, hope it goes well.

I have just been made redundant (tomorrow's my last day) and am hoping I manage to find something soon!

good luck mate hope it goes well for ya.

i ahd so many mates that left the forces and laughed at me for staying and they are now in the same shoes as you its sad to hear

if your that desperate for a job u could just go and kiss a bloke infront of the guy from the met police who said u cant go in if your not gay... and no i will not help you out on that one

Well, lucky for us both - according to your avatar, you've already got a handful of balls as it is. Even if I WAS tempted to ask you to assist, I couldn't anyway