Declared redundant? What now?

Being declared redundant means that your position will expire. This can have various causes, such as a reorganization, merger, digitization or cost savings. Your employer then simply has fewer positions available than there are employees.

Important: supernumerary does not automatically mean that you were fired immediately. Often, you first get a period of time when you are looking for another, suitable position within the company. Only if that fails can dismissal follow — with the right to a transition payment or a outplacement process.

What are the consequences of redundancy?

If you are declared redundant, there are broadly three possible outcomes:

1. One-off transition payment

In the event of dismissal, you are in principle entitled to a transition payment. This allowance is intended to bridge the period without work or to invest in your career, for example through education or coaching.

Many employees use (part of) this allowance for an outplacement process. This way, you significantly increase your chances of getting a new job and spend the money on your future — instead of seeing it disappear in taxes.

2. Work-to-work guidance

Through a social plan, some employers offer a work-to-work arrangement on. Here you will receive guidance on how to find a new position — inside or outside the company. This is often done via an external agency.

During this process, you will be intensively supervised by a career coach, who, together with you, looks at your qualities, goals and opportunities. Our experience shows that more than 9 out of 10 participants find a new job through such a process.

3. A suitable position within the organization

Sometimes you can stay within the company, in another — appropriate — position. What “appropriate” means varies by situation. This usually involves work that is comparable to your current job in terms of level, salary and travel time.

Are you unsure whether a position is really appropriate? Then get good advice. After all, if you unfairly refuse a suitable position, you may lose the right to a transition payment.

Can an employer just declare you redundant?

No, that's not allowed. In the event of a reorganization or collective dismissal (more than 20 people), the employer must request permission from the UWV. This examines whether the reason for dismissal is legitimate — for example, economic necessity.

It also has to reflection principle are applied correctly: within each function group, age groups are considered, and employees with the shortest employment in their group are the first to be declared redundant (the so-called Last In, First Out-principle).

So always check whether your employer has applied this fairly. If it's not true, you can object or consider legal action.

Excess during illness or pregnancy

Are you sick or pregnant and are you told that you have been declared redundant? Then additional protection rules apply. In principle, an employer cannot fire you during illness or pregnancy.

If you are declared redundant anyway, that only means that your position will expire — but your employment will continue until you can return to work or an appropriate solution is found. Once you have recovered, you are entitled to reintegration or guidance to new work.

The Placemaker Scheme

Some organizations work with a placemaker scheme. This means that employees voluntarily make way for colleagues whose jobs would otherwise disappear. This arrangement is often rewarded with an additional fee or more extensive guidance.

It can be an interesting option if you were already considering making a career change or retiring early.

Declared redundant and the social plan

In the case of larger reorganizations, there is usually a social plan drafted. This contains all agreements about relocation, allowances, and guidance. Read this carefully — because it states exactly what support you are entitled to.

Such a plan, for example, states:

• whether you are entitled to outplacement or training;
• how long the mediation period lasts;
• what is the amount of your transition payment;
• and whether there are additional arrangements (such as travel allowance or extended notice period).

What is the best thing to do now?

1. Stay calm and gather information. Ask your employer for clarity: what exactly does this decision mean for you, what regulations apply, and what is included in the social plan?
2. Let yourself be guided. Consider professional guidance through an outplacement process. This way, you increase your chances of finding a job that really suits you.
3. Use your transition payment wisely. Spend it on career guidance, training or coaching. This helps you return to the labor market faster and stronger — and you save taxes.

Lastly

Being declared redundant is never pleasant, but it doesn't have to be an end point. With the right guidance, it can be just the start of a new phase in your career.

Bee Care4Careers Outplacement Every year, we supervise hundreds of professionals who have been declared redundant. Our coaches help you understand your qualities, find direction in your career and enter the labor market with confidence.

Do you want to know what steps are best for you to take now?
Feel free to schedule an introductory meeting — we'd love to think along with you.

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