I’m currently on garden leave ahead of being made redundant in the middle of October (which I will not lie is a pretty good situation to be in). Anyone else been in a similar situation and can offer any advice?
Context: Been with the same company for 15 years, but have 25 years continuous service through acquisition, so getting the full payout. Whatever happens, I’ll be OK financially.
I was hoping to step straight into another similar role (I’m in sustainability), but that might not work out. Has anyone done complete pivot and redefined their life? Just wondering what the experience of others might be…
I also work in sustainability consultancy for a large corporate in the UK. Facing a risk of a similar outcome due to grim trading conditions. Hoping to be able to ride it out, but it’s far from certain.
You’re in an enviable situation with garden leave and the financial outcome which hopefully gives you time for reflection and avoids a need to take any next step quickly. I’d use the time to get the space to make the right decision without rushing it, but that’s me.
I’m watching a worrying amount of experienced sustainability professionals with critical technical skills retiring. I hope whatever your pivot leads to, you can find a purpose and passion continuing to help the sustainability cause. We need all the help we can get, but could survive without another cafe/record shop/listening bar!
Boards are looking for sustainability advisors, so taking on a directorship can be a nice gig that’s strategic and less than full time. Freelance consultancy will also give you flexibility. If the redundancy means you’re less reliant on a salary, you could approach loads of NGO’s and sustainability-based charities that would fit your areas of interest and passion. Or all of the above!
Personally, I’d build a sound system and hit the road…
I’m doing the IEMA cert (now ISEP), because I’ve been working in a big company with topic experts, so I’ve not needed to be hands on in the past. Got until the end of October to find something, or not, depending on how things pan out.
Record shop/bar/sound system are all things that have crossed my mind, but I’m not sure the Mrs would agree.
Not the same, but jacked my corporate job 3 months back and managed to get a payout, nothing major, but enough to make me rethink my life at the grand old age of 55.
I’m pushing ahead with potentially opening a listening bar, just waiting on the venue being ready.
Bought a Danley system 6 months ago, with the money l got from the sale of my house, so was wondering what to do with it, then the job switch and the stars kinda aligned. Missus is supportive too, as she pushed me to do it, which makes it easier.
Anyway, watch the space and good luck T, whatever you decide to do.
That sounds great, Scott. Would love to drop in and see the bar/you once it’s done.
I’m torn as to what to do. The path of least resistance is to do the same as before in a full time corporate gig. Three interviews so far have been fruitless.
As time goes on, that may change though. I’m hoping that stories like yours that drop into this thread will inspire me.
Happy to hear you’re taking the positive out of what can be a bleak time for some.
Also happy to hear you’re comfortable to make a change. It sounds like you have supportive people around you.
Around 2008 when the world went into financial meltdown I found myself on gardening leave. After having spent the first 12 years of my adult working life heading up the retail ladder.
My main frustration was that I’d worked hard and made positive working relationships in the business and was part of a department that was always trading up. For it all to be dragged down and cut off just as I was getting into my stride.
I returned home with the news as my wife was heading back to work from maternity leave (we literally exchanged words as she was getting in her car).
Having a 6 month old son, overnight I found our roles had reversed.
In my head I said to myself that it’s not a problem and I’ll have myself set up with a new role in no time. That wasn’t the case.
So after six months (and falling into terrible depression) I decided I either hold on to the career I once had and put myself through regular rejection or re-invent myself.
So I decided to try all the jobs I enjoy as a hobby and see what happens.
1, Worked in my local
2,Worked for a classic car restoration workshop.
3, Worked for a friend fitting kitchens and building extensions.
After 3 years of jobbing about (and wanting a little more security). I somehow landed a job in a high school as an Technology/engineering technician. Seems the previous three years hadn’t been wasted and those “transferable skills” had come in really usefull.
I spent five wonderful years there before thinking that I’d like a change. But instead of leaving, I started the next five year plan, to work for myself.
I’d been making all sorts of laser etched, custom made items in my spare time to help get my dream off the ground, until one day I needed some storage boxes for my constantly expanding record collection.
I showed the results to friends who said they were good enough to sell. Which I duly did.
Fast forward another five years and just after lockdown (which saw sales go through the roof) I left the school to go it alone.
That was nearly four years ago and I haven’t looked back and haven’t been happier. I know I’m topped out in terms of what I can do, but after the rollercoaster of the last fifteen years, I’m more than okay with that.
You seem in a place where I was, when asked by panicked staff at the school why I was leaving ?
“Because I’ll never be in a better physical and financial place to make my dream happen”
Hope what happens next is everything you want it to be
Fairly shocked that sustainability isn’t a massive growth industry - surely the next frontier / industrial revolution?
A friend has just retrained as a kind of carbon accountant, showing small businesses what their emissions are and how to reduce them, he’s really enjoying it.
I’ve been leading a team, so little or no hands on experience (as someone else did the actual work). I’m doing a course that might head me off in that direction.
