Redundancy: What to Do in the First 30 Days

In the first 30 days after redundancy, the most useful things you can do are check that your pay and rights are correct, sort out your money so you know how long you have, and give yourself some genuine time to absorb what’s happened before rushing into the next job. Redundancy is a practical problem and an emotional one at the same time, and both deserve attention.

The conversation usually lasts about fifteen minutes. Then you walk out, or close the laptop, and the world looks exactly the same as it did an hour ago, except that it doesn’t. Many people describe the first few days as strangely calm, or numb, or busy with admin, and then something hits them a week or two later.

If you’re in that space now, this is for you. A quick note first: I’m a coach, not an employment lawyer. The figures below come from official guidance and were correct at the time of writing, but for anything about your specific case, Acas and Citizens Advice are both free and excellent.

The First Few Days: Pause Before You Do Anything Big

You don’t have to decide anything important in the first week. You don’t have to announce it on LinkedIn, sign anything on the spot, or have a plan.

What often helps:

• Tell someone you trust. Saying it out loud to one person makes it less heavy to carry.
• Write down what you were told. Dates, amounts, what happens next. Your memory of a stressful meeting is rarely complete.
• Notice how your body is responding. Poor sleep, a racing mind, feeling flat. These are normal stress responses, not signs you’re handling it badly.
• Keep some small anchors. A walk, a regular time to get up, a meal with someone. Structure quietly matters when the main structure of your week has gone.

Check Your Redundancy Pay and Rights

Once the initial shock has settled a little, it’s worth checking the numbers carefully. Mistakes do happen.

Statutory redundancy pay. If you’ve worked for your employer for at least two years, you’re usually entitled to statutory redundancy pay. It’s worked out from your age, length of service and weekly pay:

• half a week’s pay for each full year you were under 22
• one week’s pay for each full year you were 22 to 40
• one and a half weeks’ pay for each full year you were 41 or older

Only the last 20 years count. For redundancies on or after 6 April 2026 in England, Scotland and Wales, weekly pay is capped at £751, so the most statutory redundancy pay can be is £22,530. Your contract may give you more, so check it.

Tax. Redundancy pay is usually tax-free up to £30,000. Your notice pay, holiday pay and final wages are taxed as normal.

Notice. You’re entitled to at least one week’s notice for each full year of service, up to 12 weeks, unless your contract gives you more. Your employer may pay you in lieu instead.

Time off to look for work. If you’ve been there two years or more, you have the right to reasonable paid time off during your notice period to look for work or arrange training.

Alternative roles. If your employer offers you a suitable alternative role, you can usually try it out for four weeks without losing your right to redundancy pay if it doesn’t work out.

Settlement agreements. If you’re offered one, you’ll need independent legal advice before signing, and your employer often contributes to the cost. Don’t feel rushed.

You can check your figures with the government’s redundancy pay calculator on GOV.UK. If something doesn’t look right, raise it with your employer in writing, and contact Acas if you need help. Claims for redundancy pay generally have to be made within six months.

Sort Out Your Money, Calmly

Financial worry can make every other decision feel more urgent than it is. A little clarity goes a long way.

• Work out your runway. Add up your redundancy pay, notice pay, savings and any other income, and divide by your essential monthly costs. Knowing “I have six months” or “I have six weeks” changes how you approach everything else.
• Check what support you might be entitled to. Universal Credit or New Style Jobseeker’s Allowance may be available depending on your circumstances.
• Look at your pension. Find out what happens to your workplace pension, and whether you can put some of your redundancy pay into it.
• Pause before big spending. Including big investments in retraining. There’ll be time for that once you’re clearer on direction.

Let Yourself Feel It

This is the part people most often skip, and it tends to catch up with them later.

Redundancy can bring grief, anger, relief, shame and fear, sometimes all in the same afternoon. Even if the job wasn’t right, losing it can shake your sense of identity, your routine, your social world and your feeling of being valued.

It’s worth saying clearly: redundancy is about a role, not about your worth. That’s easy to know and hard to feel. A lot of people quietly carry a story that they must have done something wrong, even when the decision was entirely about budgets or restructuring.

If you notice that story, get curious about it rather than arguing with it. Where have you felt like this before? Whose voice does it sound like? Sometimes redundancy stirs up something older than the job itself, and that’s worth giving some space.

Weeks Two to Four: Start Exploring, Don’t Rush

When the dust has settled a little, there’s often pressure, from yourself or others, to get straight back into a similar job. Sometimes that’s exactly the right move. But it’s worth at least asking the question first.

• What did you actually enjoy in that role? And what were you relieved to leave behind?
• If you could design your next role, what would be different?
• Is this a chance to try something you’ve been putting off?

You don’t have to answer these in a month. But redundancy can be a rare moment where the usual inertia is gone, and some people look back on it as the push they needed. My post on how to find out what career suits you goes into this in more depth.

Practically, this is also a good time to:

• update your CV and LinkedIn while your achievements are fresh
• get in touch with a few people in your network, not to ask for a job, just to catch up
• ask your manager or colleagues for a reference or a LinkedIn recommendation

Frequently Asked Questions

How soon should I start applying for jobs? There’s no right answer. If money is tight, sooner makes sense. If you have some runway, a week or two to recover first often leads to better decisions and better interviews.

Should I tell people I was made redundant? Yes, if you’re comfortable to. It’s extremely common and carries much less stigma than it used to. How you talk about it matters more than the fact of it.

What if I don’t get statutory redundancy pay? Check your length of service and contract, and speak to Acas or Citizens Advice if you’re unsure. Some groups are excluded, and the rules differ in Northern Ireland.

Can coaching help after redundancy? Many people find it helps them process what’s happened and make a clearer, more intentional choice about what comes next, rather than simply grabbing the first thing that appears. Some employers will also pay for coaching as part of a redundancy package, so it’s worth asking.

Final Thoughts

The first 30 days after redundancy aren’t about having everything figured out. They’re about making sure you’ve got what you’re owed, knowing where you stand financially, and being kind enough to yourself to let the shock settle before you decide what’s next.

If you’d like support through that process, whether you’re still processing what’s happened or trying to work out your next move, get in touch. I offer a free discovery call, in Bristol or online.