You think you’re about to be made redundant. What next?
There may be a different feeling at work. Some people’s behaviour towards you has shifted. You’re no longer invited to certain meetings. In all, you have a gut feeling something isn’t right. Worst case scenario, you become worried that you may be about to be let go. If you find yourself in this position, what should you do? In this week’s blog, we discuss what you should always be doing as your default and what to do as you begin to read the runes.
External marking
Be consistent in adding value to your professional network. There’s a lot to say on this subject and if you want to find out more, read our recent blog on the matter. Relationships founded on trust and mutual value take time to build, so start now. Use both scheduled contact at the right level of intensity (calls, coffees, dinners, etc.) or event-driven contact. Consistency over time is key.
Build your network so that should disaster hit, you have a broad network to draw on for support, help and guidance. Go to relevant industry events and meet interesting people.
Optimise your LinkedIn profile with keywords, etc., and ensure that it reflects that you’re offering to the market.
Elevate your LinkedIn activity to make yourself easily findable on the platform. Make it easy for leaders and recruiters to find you.
Regularly update your CV each year to reflect your latest achievements and career progress. You don’t want to have to do a complete rewrite of an outdated CV when you’re under time pressure.
Find and nurture mutually beneficial relationships with one or two recruiters who know their market well, and you act with good levels of professional courtesy and etiquette.
All of these activities will stand you in very good stead should you find yourself looking for a new job without much of a warning.
Internal marketing
Many of the same network points mentioned above equally apply to building your internal network.
Have regular update meetings with your direct report. Constantly confirm that you’re working on exactly the deliverables required, as decided by those above you. Get a read on how you’re doing against their expectations.
If you’re falling short in any regard, get specific and actionable feedback and agree to check-in so that you can demonstrate that you’re making the changes required. If you’e still falling short, get greater clarity about what exactly has to happen to rectify the situation.
Follow up on these meetings with a summary email.
Keep great notes and keep demonstrating the successes and achievements that you’re getting for the firm.
Find ways, the right side of awkward and obvious self-promotion, to let other senior and people of influence know of what you’re doing and the impact you’re having. Build some sponsors who can act as some sort of top cover.
Legal considerations
Before your employer starts any form of process to let you go, you should at least know four things:
The terms of your contract
Particular details of any restrictive covenants
Your statutory rights under UK employment law
How the process should work for making someone redundant
I’m quite certain that all those handling your exit will operate in an entirely professional way. That said, it’s possible that some of those involved are not as knowledgeable and well trained in these areas as they might be. So it’s important that you have a good understanding and grasp of those four points, so that you know that things are being properly handled throughout.
Finally, it’s always possible that you’re being treated in an unfair way. If so, it may be a good ideas to consult a legal professional to ensure that you’re adequately protecting yourself.
Housekeeping
I remember that scene at the beginning of the film, “Margin Call”, when the Head of Risk gets called into a meeting. It comes as a complete surprise to him when he’s told that his access to his emails and the building have been shut down. He hands over his pass and work phone, and all of this happens in a matter of minutes. If this was to happen - worst case scenario - ensure that you have all your contacts in your phone and LinkedIn. Also, consider having a backup copy of this on another drive (if this is legal within the parameters of your firm and industry). But -absolutely do not take any data, reports or information that might be considered as being proprietary to your employer.
Just be thoughtful, anticipate worst case scenarios and have yourself ready and organised.
Have a written plan
Knowing that you’ve thought this possibility through and have some sort of an outline plan written down, which you can use as a starting point, will give you some degree of peace of mind. In fact, some of our coaching clients come to us because they’re worried about the possibility of redundancy and want our help to create a Plan B. This gives them a greater degree of control and choice over the direction of their career - a hugely empowering move.
I hope you’ve found this useful. If you are concerned that you might be made redundant in the near future, let’s talk and discuss how we can help. Click here to book a free 15-minute call.