TightropeIf you’re an HR professional and redundancies are on the cards, it’s not always the greatest job in the world. But what happens when one of the redundancies is your role? Hilary Jeanes advises on how to handle this difficult situation.


It can be a very challenging situation – managing the redundancy programme for your organisation whilst facing redundancy yourself. You need to ensure that the redundancy programme is implemented effectively, that you are communicating the right messages to those you want to retain whilst staying motivated yourself. How do you cope with walking the tightrope?

To manage this tricky situation in a positive way you need to get the job done whilst investing time and effort in being clear about what you want from your next career move. At work – focus on the short term and remain professional. Easier said than done? Here’s how:

From a personal perspective, consider the long term and how to work towards achieving it:

Last, and perhaps most important of all, recognise the opportunity that this presents – remember that old adage ‘as one door closes, another one opens’. So many people say that this is true for them. In a few months time you could be saying this too. Good luck.


Hilary Jeanes of Coaching for HR focuses on supporting HR leaders to achieve their goals. Visit her website at www.coachingforHR.co.uk

One Response

  1. I’ve Been There, Done That
    My government agency (Australia) was abolished and as an HR consultant for a number of offices, I had to help the reallocation of staff to eight other government agencies. My reallocation was to a department I didn’t like, in a job for which I had no interest and so I took long service leave while waiting for a voluntary redundancy.

    I was offered a job in the United Arab Emirates while on LSL, so I simply jumped on a jet and spent the best three years of my working life teaching business and computing to UAE national students at a delightful place called Al Ain.

    My payout came through and now, back in Australia, I’m living happy ever after.

    When one door shuts, another opens is indeed a truism.