Hello! I'm after some thoughts please and any practical experience of members. I've been offered an exit package by my current employer and I don't know whether taking it would be an epic mistake in the current jobs climate. All I hear is how impossible everyone, but specifically over 50s are finding things, but I don't know how fair a reflection that is of the jobs market as a whole and would really appreciate people's views and experience.
I'm 53, will be 54 at the date of exit if I decide to take it. I need and want to work, I'm not interested in retiring even if I could afford to. The exit package would give me some breathing space between jobs if needed, I could certainly manage for 6 months if I absolutely had to, but I'm hoping to use the money to clear debts, do some essential maintenance on the house, help to support kids at university and ideally pay a bit off the mortgage. I don't drive, but I live in the South East and can easily commute to London - currently hybrid working but would commute each day if that was necessary.
I hold CIPD level 7 and am currently preparing for upgrade to Chartered Membership (fingers crossed). I've got 20+ years experience in a range of HR roles, most recently in talent development and employee experience. All in the public sector (civil service). I feel I have a lot of great and relatively senior experience, but hearing so many tales of woe in the job market of late (not specifically HR) is making me wonder if I'm incredibly naïve / stupid to even consider it.
I'd really welcome any thoughts - thank you :-)
