Redundancy

My advice would be to take your time to settle into not working, Cheryl. I gave up paid work about 3 years ago and it took me a while to settle into not having the routine of 9 - 5. I tried joining a singing group, went off that idea, a bit of volunteering at our local hospital, went off that idea ... I am now settled into a volunteering role with the Side by Side scheme run by the Alzheimer's Society, which I love and will continue for as long as they want me.
Mr OK1 is being made redundant this coming December and to say his job has been (most of) his life is no exaggeration. Time will tell, but meanwhile he is putting out feelers regarding volunteering with our local Canal Trust (a friend's husband does the same, so he'll be with someone he knows) and maybe taking on an allotment.
I guess it depends on whether you need to earn some ££s ... in which case part-time work may be an option?
I'd say I lacked confidence, especially when I stopped working in a role where I knew what I was doing, but apart from a couple of false starts, I am happy with what I do now. If you do take on volunteering, then I can recommend the Alzheimer's Society - they mentor you, make sure you're happy with what you're doing and treat their volunteers well. I've never been asked to take on more than I'm happy with and definitely feel valued for being me. Being stuck in your ways is no bad thing by the way - one of the Alzheimer's Society's courses mentions respect and equality for all their workers (volunteers and otherwise), whatever their 'ways!' (PS Don't let the idea of 'courses' worry you - they're just the usual safeguarding, equality things and are online). Might be worth a google on their website as there are many opportunities for all sorts of people with all sorts of experiences and none - even me!
Good luck, but do try a few things and don't worry if it takes a while to settle.

Thanks ourkid1 thats helped me think of my options

I was offered a job with the National Trust when I was 55. Unfortunately I was unable to take it, as I had to share a car with DH and the job was in the opposite direction to his. My career in mental health nursing had stalled, and I was looking for something new. There are jobs out there, no matter what your age.

My daughter was in the exact same position last year she is about 5 yrs younger but was made redundant after 24yrs and she was floundering and scared, she needed to work but after a few months with no interviews she looked at jobs that were different to what she’d been doing , she got a few interviews had one false start but now she’s doing something totally different and is quite happy.
It’s possible so be brave and good luck

Think its the fear of the unknown. The team i work with have become a family its sad to think its coming to an end. ?

I would concur that the Alzheimer's Soc is great to volunteer with. I help on the Crisp courses. I am valued. I feel as though I am helping people and the staff and volunteers are all lovely.

I've done lots of volunteering but this is by far the 'nicest'!

Well I'll seriously look into this when i finally finish work thanks

I was offered voluntary redundancy at the age of 57. I found the prospect very frightening and opted to stay on and undergo a major reorganisation of the department in which I worked, in retrospect, it was the worst decision I ever made. Try to see redundancy as an opportunity and not a threat. There are many jobs out there and many opportunities for volunteering as well.

I have just been made redundant too at 51 and it is hard. Half of me is all fired up to send out cvs and get back in there, I have to I have bills to pay! The other half of me just wants to give it all up! I will lose my house and have to pay off debts but I just can’t feel motivated at the moment. I use to work to help out the kids and grandkids but recent estrangement from my daughter has kind of taken the wind out of my sails. I enjoy volunteering though at a local museum in the Black Country which is very fulfilling. It is important to keep socialising and not to become isolated, so any volunteering helps I think

I was offered the most challenging and interesting job of my career at the age of 55. There are jobs out there where experience counts. You have the time to look around for something new. Try to think outside the box - look at other areas where your skills and experience may be useful.
We don't know your circumstances or whether you need to work for an income, do you have a partner and family?
An alternative route is the one my sister in law took when made redundant at 50. She had no children and had recently met her now husband. Together they sold up everything, moved to Spain, bought some land and built a house. It could be time for a grand adventure!

Thanks GrandmaTK. I am divorced, but my son lives locally and is really unwell which kind of keeps me tied to the area, at least for now. I have thought about setting up a business but that requires effort right now and brain power, all of which are failing. I need some inspiration to pull it all together otherwise by January, my money will have run out and I could be in trouble. But its only money right? Maybe a different outlook would help

It really depends on how much you need to earn to pay the bills. If you can manage on the basic pay scale then you could try agency work. Hays is a good one. The fact alone that you have worked consistently for 22 years will be in your favour, firms want people who will turn up and do the work. It is far easier to find better positions while you are working than from home. Keep in touch with old work mates, you will be surprised what turns up from old connections.

I took redundancy and started a whole new career at 53. Now at 66, I am still working and my latest role was found through an old colleague.

Jobwise, polish up you cv, look at your skills in broad times. Good at dealing with people, good organiser, good 'fixer' rather than look at them job specifically, medical reception work, running doctors appointment system etc. There are sites online that can help you sharpen up your cv.

DD, 45, changed her job and career in a fortnight this year, when she was refused redundancy after applying for it. She was so cross, she went home and over a weekend, searched all the job sites and applied for anything and everything that seemed interesting and she reckoned she could do, regardless of whether she was exactly what the employer was looking for. probably 8 or 10 posts.

She got 2 Skype interviews in 2 days, 2 follow-up interviews and 1 job. A month later she started as a trainee in a career she had never heard of before she applied for the job and entirely different to the career change she had been planning (hence the application for redundancy). So apply for anything and everything, expect refusals, but it could be the best opportunity you have ever had.

I am getting some interest in my cv this week which is good but all roles will require relocation! As a divorced lady this may not be too daunting. May be the start of my new adventure. But it means i will be moving away from family. I can always come back at weekends. If i dont look further afield for work, i may be unemployed for a long time. Has anyone else done this. Maybe work away in the week?

I worked for an agency for many, many years as a temp as I was caring for a disabled daughter and needed time off whenever and I was never out of work. Then at 55 I decided I could dedicate myself to a full time job and was surprised when I was offered three jobs. So don't let age hold you back and try an agency first as often you will find jobs through them while working as a temp.

I took voluntary redundancy from a very stressful career, and punched the air with glee all the way home !! I took a year out to de stress, walks along the beach, met friends for lunch etc then I took a TA post in a school to enable me to have all the school hols off to care for 5 grandchildren. The TA work was quite stressful too, so now I’ve practically retired and just go in to Invigilate on a casual basis. Have also started sewing patchwork, which I love and I go to craft fairs to sell my work. With my redundancy pay its funding my love of travelling and I’ve been all over, a Jazz tour Chicago to New Orleans, the Carnival in Rio, Italy 3 times, then next year am off on a South Sea Island Cruise for a whole month. My advice to you, think outside your comfort zone and start making a bucket list ??‍♀️??‍♂️???️‍♀️??✈️?

Cheryl2906.Will you be entitled to redundancy pay? if so it will give you time think 'what next'. Is there other work you would have liked to have done but for your present job..?As long as you have the finances to keep you going don't rush into something you may regret.

If you haven't got a union for advice, ring the ACAS Helpline, to make sure that it is a genuine redundancy situation and that they are going about it in the right way - for example have they considered you for suitable alternative jobs within the company? Some firms aren't keen on taking on people who are 50+, as we may be better experienced and better qualified than those who would manage us for a start! Have you thought about self-employment maybe?

Could you re-train? Is there something you've always wanted to try? Now may be the time to give it a go. Don't rush into anything. Try to see it as a new opportunity as opposed to being kicked out. I wish you the best of luck.

Does your Compamy offer any Redundancy counselling service, if it does I suggest you use it. I was devastated when I was part of mass redundancy in the Banking industry. Even though we were given 5 months ‘Gardening Leave’ I panicked and accepted another job in the same field. They were happy to wait 4 months for me.

During that time I attended a two day redundancy seminar. The first advice was ‘don’t panic and don’t rush into the same job” I did both and hated the two years that I stayed with my job at the new employers. I soon realised why they were willing to wait so long for someone as it was such an impossible role.

In hindsight I wish I had used my money to update my skillsor train for a new career. The new job rocked my confidence and I spent the next few years temping for LAs.

I should add that I then took early retirement before I was 60. Another mistake as it has drastically reduced my state pension.

I was in exactly the same position we were a very close team working together for over 20 years. The thought of not seeing each other and supporting each other through different situations was awful. We had 3 years of the threat of redundancy. It did actually happen in June. To be honest the stress of the unknown is worse. It was actually a relief the stress was over. I know it depends on your monetary situation. I did get redundancy pay out, and as over 55 took my pension without being penalized as I was made redundant. It was only going to sit in their account would rather it in mine! I actually love being retired been away for midweek breaks etc. My advise also is take your time and maybe look at something different to do than your previous job. Set up a whatsapp group with your co workers that really helps to keep in touch arrange to meet up one a month etc. Good Luck it may actually have a silver lining.

I will assume you want to carry on working. You may well find that your nervousness is misplaced. 22 years in one job is a long time but you may well find that you are better at your job than you realise. Things become routine over the years and you lose sight of your worth.

Take every opportunity to find out what your options are. You will be entitled to redundancy money but if it is only the government minimum it won't go far. If your company gives help to find another job be open minded and go into your meeting with a written list of questions. Don't be put off if the interviewer is a jobsworth, also go to the jobcentre and find someone there to advise you. Nearer the time go and chat to employment agencies.

Think hard about your CV. As someone who did a lot of recruitment I can tell you how important your CV is. You need to grab attention at the beginning so that the recruiter reads the rest. If they have masses of applicants they won't read the detail if you haven't caught their attention. A Personal Statement at the top is a good idea, especially if you have any special info to impart. Keep it to 2 pages and don't waffle, bullet points are good. Forget every detail of your school education, no one is interested and it looks like padding! You don't need to put your age, nor make it obvious how old you are. Get the interview and then they will see your age and you will have a chance to show them how young your attitude is!

This could be a great opportunity to find out that you are worth far more than you thought you were. Go for it and have fun. I never worried about job interviews, there would always be something else if this one didn't work and that attitude served me well, it made me good at interviews.

I was a secondary school teacher for about 25 years. Then at 56 I kept getting recurring cellulites. I got it about 6 times in 10 months. I kept having to take time off from work and rest with my leg up. I felt dreadfully guilty taking so much absence leave but on two occassions I was hospitalised with antibiotic drip into my ankle. After fifth time I decided enough was enough and handed in my 1/2 terms notice. I even had to take a few days off during notice period. At 57 I go down to see my daughter on maternity leave and two young grand children about one day a fortnight. I read and make jigsaw puzzles. I joined a gym with swimming pool and do gentle exercise and swim two or three times each week and have coffee with others there. I do a gentle stretching class once each week. We wanted a dog but did not think it fair when we both worked full time. Now we have two puppies six months old and I love to walk and groom them, and teach them little tricks. I bake now as I lacked time when out to work. I cook more elaborate meals. I am up to date with paperwork. I do a couple of hours of private tutoring from September until June. I spend about three months each year in our French house which I have been painting. I have application in for joining National Trust Associates as I am already NT member but will now help raise funds for NT through coffee morning's and book and plant sales. I shall also attend lectures and ambles which are 4-5 mile Wednesday walks followed by pub lunch. Also visiting NT properties further afield by coach. I am also considering a one morning 3 hour library volunteer stint. I also do geniology, read and watch some good documentaries on Netflix. I also lunch with ex colleagues every few months and drive 120 miles down to see two of my sisters and stay overnight. This year I am out and about choosing Christmas gifts instead of shopping online. I am going to do really amazing Christmas decorations which I never had time to before including hand painted glass baubles and making my own door wreathes and Christmas picks for myself and one for MiL. I have found plenty to do and I have also gone back in to work to do a couple of odd cover days so kept in touch with work friends. We have five buy to let properties and so I have taken over running those. My son works shifts and sometimes we have lunch out my treat. I will be able to get my teachers pension in a little over two years and old age pension when 67, which will be nice. I am very lucky my dh earns enough along with property income and savings that we can live comfortably without me having to out to work. I am never bored but you have to find and plan things you will enjoy.