Why Does Redundancy Feel Like Failure? with Arun Kumar

You’ve worked hard, built a career and done everything you're expected to do. Then you’re made redundant. Everyone says you’ll find something else, but what happens when every rejection leaves you questioning whether you have anything left to offer?

Arun Kumar thought he’d finally made it: a director’s role, a new home and a young family. When redundancy came, his thoughts went straight to nursery fees, heating bills and the fear that he had failed his wife and children. Nobody had prepared him for this. His response was to work harder at finding another job until rewriting CVs, chasing recruiters and trying to become whoever employers wanted left him questioning his own identity and his role as a man.

Arun speaks honestly about the shame he hid, the resentment he felt at home and the point when losing his salary became confused with losing his worth. He shares what helped him interrupt that spiral, recognise the value he brought beyond a pay cheque and tackle difficult days one manageable step at a time.

If redundancy has left you frightened, stuck or struggling to recognise yourself or someone you love is going through it, this conversation explores what can help when “just find another job” doesn’t begin to cover it.

Find out more about Arun, his book, UbU: Untitled by Unknown, and his approach to navigating these challenges at www.ubuobserver.com.