What to do if you're at risk of redundancy.

The news of redundancy can bring about so many different emotions and uncertainty. Knowing how to manage all that comes will help you through times of uncertainty.

It's 7pm in the evening and I've had a hell of a week with news about job insecurity at my place of work. I'm upstairs scrolling through pages and pages of different websites searching for everything and searching for nothing, at the same time. My mind is restless, distracted, confused and there is some panic as I look at my husband, children, house, garden, etc. The mind wonders about what if- What if I am one of those who don't make the shortlist? What if I lose my job? What if we can no longer afford the mortgage? What if this and what if that?

The past few weeks have been incredibly hard in the workplace. For the past few weeks, there have been news of targeted cuts at NHS England, where I work. First, it was announced, that there would be frozen posts, meaning that vacant posts won't be filled and targeted (about 15%) cuts to staffing levels would be made in a bid to reduce costs of running the organisation. This created unease in the team and across the whole organisation. Not least, because we had only just emerged from an organisational restructure. About 3 weeks later, further announcements were made to reduce staffing by 50% and after a few more days, it was a full merger with the Department of Health and Social Care. With every announcement, comes a greater measure of unrest, uncertainty and fear. It has been an exhausting roller coaster of emotions over the past few weeks! I am glad to work with incredible, kind colleagues who have extended offers of support, kind words and encouragement to each other as we go through the bumpy road of the risk of being made redundant from our jobs.

If you, or someone you know is going through a season of change, please hang in tight. This too shall pass. There is light at the end of the tunnel. This is a great time to review your CV or resume. Consolidate your skills and keep showing up at work even though it can sometimes feel really difficult to focus and concentrate amidst the noise in our heads and around us.

Try words of affirmation and meditation, if it will help still your mind and help you focus on what matters. Be kind to yourself, take walks out in nature and wellbeing breaks to help you rebalance.

It might help to start thinking about your strategy at work, if you are at risk of redundancy or a job change. For example, making a list of current skills and identify the job or type of job you'd like to do next can help with identifying knowledge gaps. Up-skilling with short courses and volunteering to gain required experience can set one for growth and preparedness for the next role.

Practicing interview skills and updating LinkedIn profiles in addition to writing and posting relevant articles about the an area of expertise or area you wish to work in is also a great way of showcasing thought leadership on an area.

Finally, starting a side hustle might help one stay redundant proof. Building a side hustle takes time and requires commitment but pays off good dividends as long as one is committed to putting in the time and effort to build the business- what ever that may be! Stay positive. There is life at the end of the tunnel and remember that when one door shuts, another can open. So, don't miss it! Are you ready for the next opportunity? Let's go!