Expert advice: how soon after redundancy can I start a new job?

Skills

Article

How soon after redundancy can I start a new job?

What are my contractual obligations regarding redundancies?
What are some practical considerations to prepare for?
How do I frame my redundancy to future employers?

Redundancy can be a challenging process, but there’s comfort in knowing your employment rights and having a solid plan in place. Our experts are here with advice and tips on navigating the redundancy process, finding a new role, and how to explain a redundancy on your CV in future interviews.

Notice period

The first thing to know about redundancy periods is that your contractual obligations trump your statutory (legal) rights. This means that the notice period in your contract is the one you’ll be obligated to work, so it’s a good idea to go back and read it thoroughly.

Your redundancy notice period typically depends on how long you’ve been with the company (although this is subject to change under the New Deal for Working People). Statutory notice is one week if you’ve been with the company between one month and two years. If you’ve been with the company between two and twelve years, you’ll have a week’s notice for every year employed and 12 weeks’ notice if you were employed for 12 years or more. Some contracts follow these guidelines, but others don’t, so we’d recommend checking.

Do you have to work your notice? The short answer is yes. If you’ve agreed to a specific notice period and your employer could prove lost earnings through your breach of contract, you could get into legal trouble. However, many companies would potentially allow you to be paid in lieu of notice or would allow you to take time off to focus on your job search during your notice. It’s always worth negotiating!

Redundancy pay

Much like your notice period, there are two types of redundancy pay: contractual and statutory. Under UK law, you're entitled to statutory redundancy pay if you've been in the business continuously for two years or more. This counts for both full-time and part-time roles. Statutory pay is calculated according to your age and how many years you've been with the company.

If you’re aged between 22 and 40, you’ll get one week’s pay per full year employed (capped at 20 years). The weekly pay is calculated according to the average amount earned per week in the 12 weeks leading up to the redundancy notice. You can find full details here.

Contractual redundancy pay is sometimes offered to staff who don’t fall into the statutory pay criteria. You should be able to find more details on this in your contract if it applies to you. It’s also worth noting that you should be paid through your notice period or paid in lieu of notice (depending on your situation).

Working for competitors

Does a competing business have a vacancy you'd be perfect for? Check your contract before you apply — your employer may have a clause for situations like this. Legally, they can only place restrictions on you if it directly impacts their business. For example, you may be asked not to set up a competing business in the same local area, take customers with you, or work for a competitor within a certain proximity to your previous employer.

It's also common to have a grace period or 'garden leave' period in which you can't go to a competitor. If this is the case, your contract will say how long that grace period is — it’s unusual for it to be longer than six months. If there are no restrictions mentioned in your contract, you can work with whoever you’d like.

Active and passive job searches

According to our data, UK workers are counteracting the threat of redundancy by passively and actively searching for open roles. A quarter (25%) of workers are actively looking for a new role during their employment, and 42% are passively searching by attending informal interviews and reaching out to former employers.

Under UK law, you’re entitled to redundancy time off for job hunting if you’ve been with your employer for two years or more. This means you can request a ‘reasonable amount of time off’ for job hunting and training to help you find a new role. It’s worth noting that this can impact your pay, so it’s a good idea to check your contract and know your rights beforehand.

Start your job search

Make a budget

It's a smart idea to make a budget before you get too deep into the redundancy process. If you're relying on redundancy pay and savings to pay your bills until you find a new role, it's helpful to know your incomings and outgoings, whether you'll need to make any household spending cuts, and whether you've got debt to settle. Sites like Money Helper can provide good guidance on this. Don't forget — there are also employment-related benefits available if you need them.

Make your CV more marketable

Research conducted for Robert Half shows that workers anticipating redundancy are taking proactive measures to increase their professional value. According to our data, 27% of workers take on side projects to make new business connections, show autonomy, and gain new skills.

Training and certifications are also a popular way to add new value to your CV. Our data shows that 41% of workers are upskilling independently. This is an excellent way to increase marketability by leaning into in-demand technical skills, which could support a quick, successful job hunt.

Read more: Simple ways to keep your CV up to date: learn when and how to refresh for better job success

Finding a new job after redundancy might raise questions about why you left your last role and—in some cases—employment gaps on your CV. There are a few things you can do to mitigate this.

Filling gaps in your CV

You can use time off after redundancy to benefit your CV in several ways. If you aren’t in a rush to find a new role or want to occupy your time while you’re interviewing, we’d recommend one or more of the following activities:

1) Independent learning: use your time to learn an in-demand skill for your role to increase your job market appeal.

2) Mentoring: taking the initiative to enrol in a mentorship programme or give your time independently to a young professional in your industry is rewarding and shows a commitment to learning.

3) Volunteer work: lend your time to an organisation or cause you feel passionately about and boost your CV while doing some good in the world.

Read more: How to explain gaps in your CV

Talking about your redundancy in job interviews

It's common for a potential employer or hiring manager to ask why you’ve chosen to leave your previous role or why you’re applying for the vacancy. In situations like these, it's important to remain neutral and factual. You could explain why your role was at risk or flip the situation and tell your interviewer how you view the situation as an opportunity to grow in your career journey.

Visit the Robert Half advice blog for more information on the hiring market and worker Jobs Confidence. To find your next career opportunity, upload your CV to our site or browse the latest vacancies.

If you’re struggling with negative or challenging feelings due to your redundancy, you can find helpful resources and professional support with organisations like Mind.

Disappointed with your review of salary meeting? Here's what to do next...

Performance and salary review: how they differ and how to prepare for success

How to write your notice to quit – sample template plus expert advice