Being made redundant
Redundancy can interrupt a successful medical-writing career and require both an emotional adjustment and a practical plan. The next step may be another employed role, freelancing or retirement.
Restructuring and the initial reaction
A medical writer made redundant in 2025 had led a successful submission of a new medicinal entity for an ultrarare disease in 2024 and had valued expertise in devices and drug–device combinations, with expectations of promotion and bonuses. Early in 2025, jobs were relocated elsewhere in Europe as part of a restructuring that deprioritised her geography; she initially felt confusion and disbelief and questioned where she had gone wrong. In her case the decision concerned the organisation’s geographic priorities rather than her performance, and she concluded that expertise and strong performance did not make a person indispensable.
Line managers and human resources staff may be delivering decisions made above them, sometimes shortly before losing their own jobs. Redundancy can also be viewed as an opportunity to reconsider personal goals rather than a reduction of personal worth.
Acceptance and support during notice
Accepting the one-sided end of an employment relationship can allow planning for the next step. Asking for and accepting help is appropriate even for experienced professionals.
The writer’s redundancy package included coaching at no personal cost, and despite initial reluctance she found it helpful through the process. Her coach supported acceptance and explained her rights as an affected employee. During her ten-month notice period, she was coached to decline new projects, stop overtime and care for her physical and mental health, while beginning succession and handover planning for existing projects.
A plan for the next step
Once she accepted the redundancy, she considered another job, freelancing or early retirement, then made a decision, timeline and plan, treating the job search as a project requiring project-management skills. Updating the CV and professional-network profile was an important step, and coaching helped her optimise the search, submit applications and prepare for interviews and tests.
Reaching out early to the medical-writing community brought support, referrals, connections and reconnections. She found another job towards the end of 2025.
The transition into a new role
A new job can bring steep learning curves and new professional relationships after the initial excitement fades. The writer’s coach recommended a ninety-day plan to pace the transition and manage expectations.