What to Say After a Redundancy: 55+ Messages

Redundancy is a loss people are expected to be pragmatic about, usually while quietly panicking. Most friends say nothing because they cannot think of anything useful. Here are 55+ messages that are better than silence.

Send yours in a free thinking of you ecard, or a text — the point is that you got in touch.

What to say when you first hear

1. I am sorry — that is rubbish news. Thinking of you.
2. Just heard. I am sorry. Nothing about this reflects on you.
3. Sorry to hear it. Here if you want to talk, or if you would rather not.
4. That is a blow. I am sorry. What can I actually do?
5. Sorry to hear your news. It is their loss and I mean that literally.
6. I am sorry. Take a few days before you start worrying about the next thing.
7. Rotten news. I am around whenever you fancy a pint.
8. Sorry to hear. Redundancy says something about the business, not about you.
9. I am sorry. Genuinely happy to help with anything — CV, contacts, or a distraction.
10. That is hard news. Thinking of you.
11. Sorry to hear it. You will land somewhere better, but you do not have to believe that today.
12. I am sorry. Whatever you need, ask properly rather than politely.

Heartfelt messages

1. You are very good at what you do and none of that has changed since Friday.
2. This is a horrible process designed to feel personal. It is not.
3. I know how much of yourself you put into that job. I am sorry.
4. Take the time to be angry about it. You are allowed.
5. You have been through worse and come out fine. You will again.
6. Whatever comes next, I have absolutely no doubt about you.
7. I am sorry. It is unfair, and pretending otherwise does not help.
8. Your job is not your worth. It has taken me a long time to learn that.
9. This will look small in two years. It does not feel small now, and that is fine.
10. I am sorry. I am here for the whole of this, not just the first week.

Offering practical help

1. Send me your CV — I will go through it properly this weekend.
2. I know two people in that industry. Both are getting an email from me today.
3. Happy to do a mock interview whenever. I am told I am appropriately annoying.
4. I will keep an eye out and forward anything that looks right.
5. Let me buy you lunch and talk it through. No advice unless you want it.
6. I will introduce you to Sam — she hires for exactly this kind of role.
7. Anything with the paperwork or the settlement, ask. I have done it before.
8. Happy to be a reference, and happy to be a very enthusiastic one.
9. I will proofread applications for as long as you need.
10. Free any evening this week if you want company.

For a colleague being made redundant

1. Sorry it went this way. Working with you has been a genuine pleasure.
2. This place is losing one of the good ones. Sorry, and good luck.
3. Gutted about the news. Keep in touch properly — I mean it.
4. Sorry to see you go like this. You deserved much better.
5. It has been a pleasure. Anything you need from me — reference, contacts, anything.
6. Sorry about the news. You made this job better for a lot of us.
7. Rotten way for it to end. Wishing you every success next.
8. Keep my number. I will be recommending you to everyone.

When the search is dragging on

1. Still thinking of you. I know the waiting is the worst part.
2. No news is exhausting. Checking in — no update required.
3. Six months in and you are still going. That takes something.
4. Thinking of you. Rejections are numbers, not verdicts.
5. How is it going? Honest answer welcome, including “badly”.
6. Still here, still looking out for things. Not going anywhere.
7. Thinking of you this week. Fancy a walk?
8. It will break. It always does, even when it does not feel like it.

Short messages

1. Sorry to hear it. Thinking of you.
2. Their loss, genuinely.
3. Here if you need anything.
4. Rubbish news. I am around.
5. Thinking of you this week.
6. Anything at all — just ask.
7. You will be fine. Not today, but you will.
8. Sorry. Pint this week?

What not to say

1. “Everything happens for a reason.” Redundancy happens for budget reasons and they know it.
2. “At least you got a payout.” Money does not replace routine, identity or colleagues.
3. “I could never afford to be out of work.” Neither can they. That is the problem.
4. “Have you tried just applying everywhere?” They have. Advice they did not ask for lands as criticism.
5. “When are you back at work?” Asked repeatedly, this becomes a weekly reminder of failure.

How to be useful

1. Get in touch at all. Most people go quiet, and the silence is what stings.
2. Offer a specific thing. An introduction, a CV read, or a named contact beats “let me know”.
3. Keep checking in at month three. That is when support has evaporated and the search is hardest.
4. Do not make it about work every time. Ordinary conversation is a relief from being a job-seeker.

Send it

A free thinking of you ecard is an easy way to check in repeatedly. See also encouragement messages and good luck messages:

FAQ

What do you say to someone made redundant?

Say you are sorry, make clear it reflects the business rather than them, and offer one specific piece of help.

What should you avoid saying?

“Everything happens for a reason”, “at least you got a payout”, and repeated questions about when they will be back at work.

Is it better to say nothing than the wrong thing?

No. Silence is the most common complaint. An imperfect message beats being avoided.

What actually helps?

Introductions, a proper CV read, a named contact, and being invited to ordinary things that have nothing to do with work.

What is a good short message?

“Sorry to hear it. Thinking of you.”

How long should you keep checking in?

Well past the first month. Support usually stops around week three, and job searches routinely run for six months or more.