Dealing with redundancy in Australia

Being made redundant can be an overwhelming and disheartening experience. Be comforted by the fact that you are not the first, nor will you be the last employee to be forced into this unexpected situation. In fact, SEEK revealed that “more than one in four Australians (26%) have had their role made redundant at some point in their working lives.”

Let us help you to move forward with some simple steps you can take to work through this stressful situation.

Take Time to Reflect and Reach Out for Support

It is important to take some time for yourself before making any decisions. Reflect on why the job ended and how you could have handled the situation differently or what skills and experience will help you in your next role. Taking this time for reflection will help give you clarity on the situation and allow you to make more informed decisions about your future.

Don’t go through the process of dealing with redundancy alone; there are services available that can provide support during this difficult period. Reach out to family and friends for emotional support, as well as professional organisations such as Job Services Australia, who offer advice and assistance when it comes to finding a new job or retraining for another profession.

Understand Your Rights and Entitlements

When you are made redundant in Australia, you may be entitled to certain entitlements such as compensation for notice periods, long service leave accrued, and of course redundancy payments. Depending on your contract, you should receive redundancy pay based on your continuous period of service, paid at your base rate for ordinary hours worked. Head over to the Fair Work Ombudsman to get informed about what is legally entitled to you.

The Australian Government also provides financial assistance through Centrelink. This assistance can take the form of Newstart payments or Parenting Payments, again depending on your circumstances. Additionally, many employers will offer additional financial support such as relocation assistance or job search training courses. Don’t be afraid to discuss these options directly with your employer. It is important to explore all of the options available to you so that you can make an informed decision.

It may also be a good idea to seek professional advice from an employment lawyer or financial advisor when dealing with any kind of legal or financial concerns. They will be able to provide advice tailored to your specific situation, and help ensure that you are making the right decisions for your individual circumstances.

Look into Education Opportunities

Making yourself more employable by upskilling or retraining can be a great way of getting back into the workforce after being made redundant. There are many options available for people looking to improve their skillset – from short courses at local TAFE colleges, through to studying full-time at university. If finances are a concern, there are also various grants available which can assist with fees or living costs while studying.

Take Advantage Of Opportunities

It can be easy to become overwhelmed by the thought of not having a job, but taking advantage of opportunities offered by retraining programs or volunteering initiatives can help make this transition period smoother. Not only will these activities help keep your skills sharp, they may also lead to potential employment opportunities in the future. Additionally, networking events are a great way to meet people who may have contacts in industries that interest you or even potential employers who may be looking for someone just like you

Get in Touch with Specialist Recruiters

Apart from updating your resume and LinkedIn profile, reach out to a specialist recruiter which has a real focus in your field of employment. This is where FutureYou can help having 20 recruiters (most with over 10 years experience in their field). Specialist agencies will have Consultants for every area of employment (from IT, to Supply Chain to Finance). Future You will also often have confidential vacancies, ones which are only available if you are known to them. Apart from being able to provide opportunities for new roles, recruiters are skilled in being able to review resumes and guide you through navigating tough interview questions which may come up in relation to your redundancy. Remember, you should never feel embarrassed or ashamed of your redundancy - often they are made as part of broader business decisions, not your personal or professional skills.

Being made redundant can be an intimidating experience but it doesn't have to be a negative one! With the right information and support from the Australian Government and employers alike, those who have been made redundant can take control of their future once again. SEEK found that 60% of Australians made redundant found another job within two months! With a bit of determination and hard work, those who are facing redundancy will soon find themselves back in the workforce with greater knowledge about navigating life after redundancy than ever before!