Navigating Guilt When Others Are Made Redundant

Introduction

In today’s unpredictable (shite) job market, redundancy has become an unfortunate reality for many in Wellington and the wider New Zealand. Companies and Govt Agencies often have to make difficult decisions, leaving some employees facing the sudden loss of their jobs while others are left to navigate the emotional aftermath. If you find yourself in the latter group—having been spared from redundancy—it's common to experience a complex mix of emotions, particularly guilt.

Survivor’s guilt can weigh heavily on those who remain employed, prompting feelings of anxiety about job security and concern for former work friends. We spend more time with work friends than our families generally. It’s a challenging emotional time/landscape, marked by conflicting feelings of relief and sorrow. As we navigate these shitty waters, it’s essential to recognise that such emotions are valid and deserve exploration.

In this post, we’ll delve into the emotional aspects of experiencing guilt when others are made redundant and explore effective strategies for coping with these feelings. By addressing these emotions head-on, we can foster a more supportive workplace environment and better manage our own emotional well-being.

Strategies for Coping with Guilt

1. Acknowledge Your Feelings It’s crucial to recognise and accept your emotions rather than brush them aside. Understand that feeling guilt is a natural response to witnessing work friends face hardships. Allow yourself to sit with these feelings—reflect on why you feel this way and give yourself permission to feel upset or conflicted. I find that writing in my journal can be helpful for processing emotions, enabling you to articulate your thoughts and gain clarity.
2. Talk About It Open up conversations with work friends(fellow survivors), friends, or family members. Sharing your feelings can provide much-needed relief and help you realise you’re not alone in your experiences. These conversations can also foster a sense of community, where you can collectively navigate these complex emotions.
3. Focus on Gratitude Shifting your perspective can help alleviate feelings of guilt. Engage in gratitude practices, such as keeping a journal or making a daily list of things you appreciate in your life and work. This practice can help you reframe your mindset, encouraging you to recognise the positives in your situation while still acknowledging the struggles of those who have been affected by redundancy. This also helps with anxiety (last weeks post).
4. Support Your Colleagues One of the most constructive ways to deal with guilt is to actively support those who have been made redundant. Reach out to former colleagues and offer assistance in whatever way you can—whether it’s providing a listening ear, helping them network, or sharing job opportunities. This shows that you care and want to contribute positively during their challenging time.
5. Engage in Self-Care Prioritise your mental and emotional health through self-care practices. Activities like exercise, meditation, or engaging in hobbies can help reduce stress and provide a healthy outlet for your emotions. Taking care of yourself not only improves your mood but also equips you to be more present and supportive for others.
6. Educate Yourself on Redundancy Understanding the broader context of redundancy—such as economic factors and company decisions—can help you frame the situation more objectively. Reading articles on this topic can provide insight and foster empathy for those affected, reinforcing the idea that redundancy is not a reflection of personal failure.

I have noticed some pockets of work returning, so maybe with spring the green shoots of job opportunities will return!

Finally - stay strong, this cannot last forever!