Redundancy remains one of the most critical - and often underestimated - moments for employer reputation, according to new UK data*.
The data shows that 43% of employees feel more negative about their employer following redundancy, yet 39% report feeling more positive - highlighting the potential for redundancy to define an organisation’s brand.
While poorly managed workforce reductions continue to damage employer brands, the findings from Right Management reveal a more nuanced picture: when handled well, redundancy can strengthen how employees feel about their organisation.
A key factor underpinning this divide is access to outplacement. Among employees who received support, 61% said they felt more positive about their employer, compared with just 8% of those without. By contrast, 66% of unsupported employees report feeling more negative overall. This suggests that how an organisation helps individuals through transition has a direct and measurable impact on employer perception.
Tim Gilbert, Right Management Managing Director, UK and Ireland said: “The findings underscore the role that meaningful career transition support plays in protecting and even enhancing employer reputation. However, support is not a given. More than a quarter of employees facing redundancy receive no outplacement support at all, pointing to a persistent gap in how organisations approach change.”
Outplacement also appears to shape longer-term advocacy and connection. Over half (54%) of employees who received support said they would consider returning to their employer, compared with just 13% of those who were left without. Similarly, 61% of supported employees would recommend their employer, versus 17% of individuals who were unsupported.
The data challenges the perception of redundancy as purely an exit process. Instead, it highlights it as a defining brand moment - one that can either erode trust or build long-term advocacy.
Tim continues “When organisations invest in people through clear communication and meaningful, human-centred support, they move beyond simply limiting reputational damage. They create conditions where employees feel valued, even at the point of exit - leading to stronger advocacy, a greater willingness to return, and a more positive overall experience.
As employer reputation becomes increasingly critical to attracting and retaining talent, these findings carry clear implications for organisations, with over 4,000 UK employers filing redundancy notices in the past year alone.
During redundancy, organisations should focus on three key areas:
Tim concludes: “As organisations continue to navigate shifting workforce demands, the message is clear: those that handle redundancy well do not just protect their brand - they have the opportunity to enhance it.”
About the data:
*The research was conducted by Censuswide, among a sample of 1,000 UK employees who have faced redundancy in the last 3 years. The data was collected between 31.03.2026 - 07.04.2026.