I was laid off on a Thursday and my last day was supposed to be the following week on Friday.

Anonymous

October 3,2022 at 8:11PM UTC

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I was laid off on a Thursday and my last day was supposed to be the following week on Friday. HR told me that I'd be able to hand off my projects, etc., but I was cut off from email, etc., that evening. Why wasn't I given the opportunity to hand off everything when I was told I was able to?

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AnonymousOctober 3,2022 at 8:46PM UTC
Some organizations are so scared that an employee that's leaving will do something harmful, that this is their standard practice.
It's not personal. But it does feel bad when you care about your work and the colleagues you leave behind.
Alexis GladstoneOctober 3,2022 at 9:52PM UTC
Sometimes the communication between IT and HR isn't clear and IT jumps the gun. It could also be that they are scared employees will take information or do something to the systems. It's not you, it's them.
If they turned off everything, then you are off the hook. If you'd still like to help with the transition I would call HR and explain what happened. They might not even be aware of it.
AnonymousOctober 3,2022 at 10:10PM UTC
Because for whatever readon the leadership wants a clean break and is confident they can transition your work without your help.
Blessings come in many disguises
AnonymousOctober 3,2022 at 10:48PM UTC
The project handoff and any unfinished work is no longer your problem.
AnonymousOctober 3,2022 at 11:18PM UTC
Because it was decided they didn't want you to handoff. I don't think it's personal. They just didn't need your help and didn't want to risk it. Many companies just decide to sever ties immediately.
Jocelyn LyonsOctober 4,2022 at 12:29AM UTC
Agree with other commenters. It’s them, not you. They may be worried about information being shared or something. Try not to take it personally. Sorry this happened to you!
AnonymousOctober 4,2022 at 1:49AM UTC
Thanks, everyone, for your replies! I really appreciate the reinforcement and confirmation. Yes, I believe this was a blessing in disguise and I'm ready to move on!
Back story: I had been with the company for over four years and was the executive team's first real admin. When my supervisor the COO passed away, the exec team lost their anchor and had been floundering ever since. I had been wanting to move on and they gave me an out.
Cindy GloverJune 11,2024 at 12:24AM UTC
Well Congratulations then!!!
Although, I’m sorry for the way this went down.
May I ask - did you attend the funeral? I’m just wondering if you were close to the COO?
Crystal HowellOctober 5,2022 at 12:43PM UTC
Maybe HR was told to do so by management, they think you might take company secrets, it's typical. You gave your 2 weeks and they can decide when time is up. Look at as if it's a blessing to move to higher ground. They go into your emails and will hand off your projects. Always remember never use their computer system as if it was your own. Use your personal phone for your personal stuff online. IT can get into the work computer and snoop around if they are told to do so.
AnonymousOctober 6,2022 at 12:39PM UTC
The OP was laid off, not quitting.
BethBOctober 6,2022 at 12:19PM UTC
Handing off work isn’t your problem. It’s theirs. You don’t owe them anything and it’s their decision.
There are many possible reasons that they arent giving you time to do so. Maybe the person who told you this misspoke. Maybe they decided that they can figure out whatever needs to be figured out. Way too many variables to really guess other than the loss of your knowledge is worth saving money on your position.
KellyW43October 6,2022 at 12:27PM UTC
Have you spoken with them? Sometimes wires get crossed and you lose connection before you were supposed to?
If not, it's not your problem, it's theirs.
AnonymousOctober 6,2022 at 12:27PM UTC
The only opinion I have is:
through my own experience with over 40 years in corporate environments.
one HR is not in total control of the process they are just in charge of notification to you and making sure they’ve covered any severance health benefits etc..
like the on boarding process IT and others are responsible for disconnecting you sometimes that happens immediately, sometimes it doesn’t happen for days.
i’ve been escorted to the door in some instances and then others given two weeks notice.
sometimes the school of thought is if you hang around too long you’ll do damage to other employees and you’ll have negative feelings and act out, hence better out the door as soon as possible.
The last time I was let go with a phone calls and I had appointments on my calendar for interviews for managers and for interviews for candidates and no one even asked me what was on my desk to follow up on.
I felt terrible for the people I had scheduled and having been disconnected from my email and computer which was theirs I had no way of contacting them.
probably the most unprofessional release I’ve ever seen or experienced.
it’s usually unpleasant for the person being laid off but I assure you there’s something better for you even though you don’t see it now, doors close, windows open good luck.
Melissa VerdoniOctober 6,2022 at 1:02PM UTC
the bosses have access to your calendar and e-mails , YOU were logged out.
AnonymousOctober 6,2022 at 1:15PM UTC
spot on and sometimes it’s also because of the access someone has. Not only do some company’s want to minimize negativity, but they also don’t want someone being able to access certain systems and email. A lot of damage can be done if the employee is feeling wronged in any way. I’ve had to let people go same day because of that and it’s also happened to me. Either way, it’s never fun.
AnonymousOctober 6,2022 at 12:31PM UTC
I just got laid off this week myself, they're letting me finish through Friday but preferred I don't hand things off. I think it's concern for conflict of interest, more of a CYA thing for the company.
AnonymousOctober 6,2022 at 12:56PM UTC
Are you getting paid as agreed? If so, let it go. Your ownership of others is great and it’s time to apply that to what’s next in your life, love. :)
Cassandra J FenykOctober 6,2022 at 12:58PM UTC
If they decided to lay you off officially, then you should see if you can collect unemployment. Just a thought as it seems like they may not understand labor laws.
GirlBossanova934974October 6,2022 at 1:02PM UTC
The second your email got cut off, you had not a single obligation or need to turn over any projects or work. This is usually a sign of a company with a lot of problems where HR is not talking to the rest of the company. We had just had someone leave our organization around 2 months ago. The employee left on his own with the usual 2 week notice. It took us close to 2 months to try and figure out where he kept everything in terms of files etc..
Bradford McCormickOctober 6,2022 at 1:03PM UTC
Maybe you're lucky they aren't expecting further help from you for themselves *after* your termination date.
You are saying you want to do the right thing before you leave. They are "telling" you you can't, yes? You need to get the message.
Melissa VerdoniOctober 6,2022 at 1:04PM UTC
just shows what kind of company it is... when communication is that bad. but doesnt really matter , its their problem now, good luck !
AnonymousOctober 6,2022 at 1:16PM UTC
It has been my experience that is not personal however it could be security concern, sometimes people get mad and try to screw up things so a lot of companies just don’t take the chance
Jennifer WuolletOctober 6,2022 at 1:22PM UTC
Usually when you get laid off, they walk you out that day right away because they don't want a potentially disgruntled employee taking files, crashing a system, stealing information, whatever. So the fact that they gave you another day is really odd. They probably realized their mistake after the fact and panicked. Sounds like the company is a bit of a mess, which usually coincides with layoffs. It's not anything you did. Getting laid off is tough, I got laid off 4 years ago. It was good for me in the long run but it hurt terribly in the short term. I wish you the best of luck on your new adventure but remember, you aren't wrong for feeling down, bad, dismayed, upset, hurt etc.
VictoriaOctober 6,2022 at 1:32PM UTC
This just happened to me in June. I'm sorry, it REALLY sucks! If you're like me you probably feel hurt and angry. I'm in the social work field so getting laid off and being cut off the same day is especially frustrating because I couldn't say proper goodbyes to my clients. I sent an email to my boss and cc'd HR with everything I would have done had I not been fired (follow-ups, to do's, etc.) You could even express some confusion and disappointment about what happened, but only do that if you can say it respectfully and with caution so they can't use it against you when you look for jobs in the future. File for unemployment, here in NYC they are actually pretty helpful and have a lot of job resources/career coaches. You can also speak to a lawyer for free at the Dept of Human Rights if you want more clarification of your rights. Just remember that in the long run it's probably going to feel a lot better to be out of a company that treats their employees that way. Especially someone like you that obviously deeply cares about their work! It's their loss!
AnonymousOctober 6,2022 at 1:35PM UTC
this happens all the time.
in fact, i'm surprised you weren't escorted out that day. yes, it's sad and rude and feels hurtful. but companies find that some employees, when laid off, sabotage the employer...so they do this little trick of cutting you off immediately. And it's sad that you were invested and WANTED to hand off all of your projects and now, you are handicapped in doing so. It's their loss. :( hang in there. I'm so sorry. I was let go four years ago and now I look back at the terrible process as a cancerous experience....the world is in a sorry state these days!
AnonymousOctober 6,2022 at 1:47PM UTC
Just make sure you are paid through the agreed-upon date and all
other promises re: benefits, etc., are met.
Mary MeffeOctober 6,2022 at 1:48PM UTC
I worked in information security and had the list of employees that would be laid off the following month. I made sure that all of their security access and building access would be cancelled at the same time that they were informed that they were terminated. Everything had to be done without the employee having any knowledge of what was going to happen.
The security guards would get pictures of the terminated employees so they could watch and make sure that they did not get back onto company premises.
Once a woman was terminated who looked a lot like me. The security guards stopped me a few times and asked to see my identification to be sure it was not her.
Keeping a person who has been terminated is very poor practice. That person should be removed from all access and walked out the door immediately after being told that they are terminated.
AnonymousOctober 6,2022 at 10:50PM UTC
I understand getting laid off b/c of end of contract if you're a fed .contractor. But about 17 years ago I was "manhandled" by Security. I wasn't resisting. I was trying to walk out the door.
AnonymousOctober 6,2022 at 1:58PM UTC
You were already laid off. You have no obligation to continue to do your work, especially if they’re making it difficult for you to do so.
AnonymousOctober 6,2022 at 4:25PM UTC
This ^^^
AnonymousOctober 6,2022 at 2:02PM UTC
Just because they are paying you to a certain date doesn’t mean that they want you to continue having access to their systems once they tell you you have been laid off. THAT would be poor business practice on their part, leaving a potentially disgruntled worker access to the business. I hope you can find something better soon.
Diane ReidOctober 6,2022 at 2:10PM UTC
The fact that you were laid off but still wanted to hand off your work properly shows your dedication. Your next employer will be lucky to have you!
Cindy GloverJune 11,2024 at 12:19AM UTC
Great perspective!! ??
AnonymousOctober 6,2022 at 2:44PM UTC
Some employers can be a blessing and a curse. Please don't let this one employer get in your way of your career. Keep it moving and do not let them stop you from making your money and get in the way of your peace. Keep it Moving. Consider it a blessing in disguise.
AnonymousOctober 6,2022 at 2:58PM UTC
That's a question to ask your former employer.
Kim PfeifferOctober 6,2022 at 3:24PM UTC
Possibly a miscommunication between HR and IT.
AnonymousOctober 6,2022 at 10:04PM UTC
I was just thinking the same thing. Most likely miscommunication. IT gets a list of who to cut off and they just do what they are told. HR might have not given them specific directions on a later date.
KristinOctober 6,2022 at 4:07PM UTC
Sounds like a them problem.
AnonymousOctober 6,2022 at 4:10PM UTC
I know this seems personal, but it depends on their corporate policy.
For instance, I have been laid off, where I worked until my very last day., they added on an extra week, because there was a lot of training involved for my job responsibilities.
However, another employer cut my access off to all systems and email that day. I was given a 30 day notice and still on their payroll, so I used the time to update my resume and look for another job. Unfortunately, my manager at the time, seen me as a disgruntled employee after the layoff notice. I cleaned out my desk the next day and left the company for good, but collected my pay for 30 days + severance pay.
AnonymousOctober 6,2022 at 4:45PM UTC
I'm so sorry that happened to you. I had the same thing. I'm a social work case manager and we lost funding. I wanted to call my clients, say goodbye, and transfer them to the new agency. I was told no. I pointed out that it wasn't ethical. I got back, It's not required.
It is super difficult and really hard not to take personally. All we can do it move forward. I got a job right away, but it took me months to get over it.
Good luck and take care of yourself.
AnonymousOctober 6,2022 at 5:13PM UTC
Unfortunately, I’ve been laid off three times. Two times my access was revoked within 15 minutes of notification which gave me no time to transfer my work. The other time I got 3 months notice and retained full system access until I removed myself on the last day. I had access to see everything regarding company financials, etc. I was helping the CEO get access to a system so he could finish doing his big quarterly update, 2 days(on a Saturday) before my last day. I was encouraged to look for a job during that 90 days, which I did. I also continued to work, transition work and supported systems. I don’t know what other people did, but that’s what I was allowed to do, do I did it. I was also pissed the whole time, but why wouldn’t I be? I didn’t let it impact my job. I appreciated, as did the people who took on my work, that I could do a clean transition, I was proud of my work and it let me end that portion on my own terms. The other two times were brutal and unnecessary to do, “Vengeful employee” is mostly bs. Most of us are sad, pissed, but want to do good transitions.
AnonymousOctober 6,2022 at 6:11PM UTC
I have been there too many times to count. I once worked in an environment so toxic that we had to disable user's accounts before their last day when they had voluntarily resigned. We found that some people would send out an inflammatory farewell email to All right before they ran out the door for the last time.
Robert VanloonOctober 7,2022 at 1:46AM UTC
But, why did they run out? Was it stupid, ridiculous. ? People don't just dish, ditch and go. If things are copestetic.
Rebecca A BrittOctober 6,2022 at 9:07PM UTC
I have a two week notice and was immediately terminated (which sucked because I needed those two weeks. Then they tried to take back my vacation because I hadn’t worked a year, which the two weeks would have given men a year.
I worked another place where I and a few others received a 6-week notice, had access to all our work, but were immediately put on “no-work” status. We couldn’t even hand off work, but were paid the whole 6 weeks. Others on the team had to work their 6-weeks.
during the 6-week layoff, my manager didn’t even know til that morning and had zero say in who was let go.
Companies are weird I try not to take it personally. I still do, which is why I switched to freelance.
Robert VanloonOctober 7,2022 at 1:43AM UTC
It's great if you have your own niche. Companies are so bad now. I had to go after pay. Like if I had not. They would not have to pay. What has happened to fighting to get payed? Should launch an attack on such ludicrous behaviors. And, get treble pay.
Cindy GloverJune 11,2024 at 12:18AM UTC
Check your state regarding the number of hours accumulated
For example - where I am - when an employee starts, they accumulate 1 hour for every 35 worked until they hit their 1 year anniversary
bahrbeOctober 6,2022 at 9:51PM UTC
Don't know.
Did you ask them?
In such a situation, if you can't get an immediate satisfactory answer, it's a good idea before you leave to give H.R. a summary of what transpired, in a professional just-the-facts-ma'am tone. Since there's no email access, it would have to be in hard copy, of course.
Cindy GloverJune 11,2024 at 12:16AM UTC
Agreed and make sure you write an exit interview whether it be in person or certified mail - send to boss, HR and anyone else you feel should be aware.
Try and remain completely professional and trust me …that’s not always easy in this situation
AnonymousOctober 6,2022 at 11:02PM UTC
Very seldom is anyone being laid off given time to tie things up.
It's happened to me three times, and by the time I got back to my office to clear out my desk, my email and all logins were shut off PLUS I was not allowed to touch my computer. The only time I've seen it happen was in a merger when the "redundant" employees were given a chance plus a bonus if they stayed the allotted time. I presume that you were paid for the time they expected you to "turn things over"?????
Shelby COctober 7,2022 at 5:21AM UTC
People are rarely given a chance to tie things up after they've been notified of a lay-off due to the to risk from disgruntled employees. They'll usually tell you that you're being RIF'd and send you home early with pay for the same reason.
I'm sorry this happened to you.
AnonymousMarch 1,2024 at 4:35PM UTC
Then employees who resign should be able to do so without the two weeks' notice considered as "professional behavior". For too long it's been one-sided.
AnonymousOctober 7,2022 at 7:12AM UTC
Less work for you. Focus on your next role.
Cindy GloverJune 11,2024 at 12:14AM UTC
I like that! Snap ?
AnonymousOctober 7,2022 at 12:52PM UTC
Most of the time this seems to happen when you go work for a competitor.
They don't want people gathering up contacts, trade secrets, or other company owned information and sharing it with their new employer. Just my two cents because I've seen it go both ways at the same employer depending on what their plans were.
AnonymousJune 1,2025 at 7:49PM UTC
If employers were worried about keeping secrets they would keep valuable employees that are reachable and willing to work hard yet smart for the.
AnonymousOctober 11,2022 at 12:09PM UTC
They say what you want to hear to avoid the situation being even more uncomfortable. I have heard this practice being done several times. Focus on what’s next for you and not at a place you are no longer with. You can drive yourself nuts speculating why people act or respond in the manner that they do! Good luck…
AnonymousMay 10,2023 at 4:40PM UTC
Often its a security issue and if you work in tech or anything with computers they have to lock you out of systems immediately. When they let you go if they gave you one more week then be sure they pay you for that extra week they mentioned.
JillAugust 2,2023 at 1:58PM UTC
You don't owe them anything if they cut off your access. Just move on with your life.
AnonymousAugust 29,2023 at 6:57PM UTC
When you get laid off just walk and dont look back. Dont hand off anything. Get your personal stuff and walk.....
Cindy GloverJune 11,2024 at 12:12AM UTC
Seeing there are 54 comments- I’m sure someone mentioned being paid for any unused PTO time you may have accumulated.Before I go asking a ton of questions - I’ll read the comments first lol! (Hope you’re doing ok)