I was laid off today.

35 Comments

1. AnonymousAugust 12,2024 at 8:48PM UTC

   If they have stipulated that you have to stay for next 60 days for severance that is what they need. If you offer to leave now, it may not be coded as a lay off but a resignation. Consider all ramifications, and read the fine print.

2. AnonymousAugust 12,2024 at 9:02PM UTC

   You can ask for this arrangement but I'm not sure how much negotiating power you're going to have. Did you ask them what's expected over the next 60 days?

3. AnonymousAugust 12,2024 at 9:28PM UTC

   Sorry for you being laid off; though sounds like it's decent news since you already have an LLC in the wings.You'll want to read the severance language to determine if there's any option to exiting before 60 days Best wishes to you!

4. AnonymousAugust 12,2024 at 9:36PM UTC

   Probably not because they may not want to pay a 1099 Contractor as part of their transition plan with the new company but you can certainly ask.

5. AnonymousAugust 13,2024 at 1:41AM UTC

   Stick it out till then end so you get your full pay. Then part ways and get that wonderful LLC up and running. You’re headed for a new journey and that’s wonderful you’ve begun the trek. For now, honor the agreement and take every single thing offered to you.

6. AnonymousAugust 13,2024 at 2:56AM UTC

   Typically, you must complete the 60 days to get your severance. However, you can leave anytime if your LLC is already generating enough for you to live on. I would be sure to re-read your paperwork to determine the stipulations on the severance. The severance can provide you with significant seed money for your LLC, especially if it is several months' salary. I just opened an LLC, and the legal work and start-up costs are daunting. Work out a budget, see what you can afford, and then go for it.

7. AnonymousAugust 13,2024 at 12:27PM UTC

   You can certainly ask/volunteer to exit earlier. They may welcome it or they may say no.

8. AnonymousAugust 13,2024 at 5:58PM UTC

   Normally, severance has contingencies attached to "earn it".

   I would wait to read your offer letter to qualify for the separation package.

9. maria roseAugust 14,2024 at 2:27PM UTC

   When you get that severance letter which will probably require a signature agreement to the terms, you can and are entitled to have an employment lawyer ( who you pay for) review the wording and details so that you understand the terminology of that severance. As I understand it, You, the Anonymous OP, don’t want to engage in performing any more work related duties, since you are technically “laid-off” from the position. You are questioning whether you have to stay on working after receiving this notice. It seems like that “60 days notice “ is a labor requirement by your local geographic area , which forces your now former employer, to give you a 60 day notice of termination, which is more than some other geographic region—that means you will continue to receive a paycheck for the next 60 days and then will receive the severance package pay after that time. You can probably stop working and start your new job search or start the process of collecting unemployment benefits if that’s how you desire to move forward but you would be throwing money ( those paychecks for the next 60 days). If you’re financially secure enough to not need those paychecks go ahead and leave immediately if emotionally you are done with this company because they have laid you off. But you are leaving money owed you ( by labor laws of your geographic location) on the table.—Good luck in your future employment

10. AnonymousAugust 15,2024 at 4:48PM UTC

    It depends, it sounds like the company had to use the WARN act. If so then they are required to give that type of long notice. It is unlikely that you can get the severance if you leave short of the timing but if it is your own LLC you can perhaps under the radar do things without alerting them and get the severance. If it were me I would do just that and then use the funds to propel your LLC effectively.

11. Holly MaszaticsAugust 16,2024 at 1:16PM UTC

    Don’t burn any bridges - things can change in a drop of a dime.

12. Lena SantillanAugust 17,2024 at 12:19PM UTC

    Good for you! The same just happened to me. It's a blow for sure, but good for you on the LLC. I would just do your business simultaneously, it's not as if they expect you to work over the next 60 days. They know you won't be fully engaged. I got 30 days notice but was told they don't mind if I take time off for my job search.

13. Patricia Lehr BayneAugust 17,2024 at 12:20PM UTC

    If that’s their office you likely either accept or don’t get the severance. They are having a transition period and if you need the money, then you stay. While staying you can plan your move forward with the LLC etc and get the reward at the end.

14. AnonymousAugust 17,2024 at 1:08PM UTC

    I wouldn't volunteer to leave early. Check the details of the severance package. In my mind that is free money. Don't throw it out the window.

    You say you just started your LLC. Unless you started a few months ago and have been working it on the side, you will need time to build up your business to a sustainable income producing level. That severance money would be a nice cushion or future rainy day fund.

15. Damie WilsonAugust 17,2024 at 1:12PM UTC

    What?

16. Lady wrfc1991August 17,2024 at 1:48PM UTC

    No, just lay low and go with it. Don't do anything to jeapordize your severance. You can survive whatever they throw at you during the 60 days; and they may keep you around on a contract basis if / when you show what you're worth. Recalibrate your timeline and start your clean break and new journey in 60 days! Slow walk this and you'll be fine, the universe has great things in store for you!

17. AnonymousAugust 17,2024 at 2:09PM UTC

    Ugh. That sucks and I am so sorry this has happened to you. 60 days is likely due to WARN act requirements. Unfortunately, I have been on both sides of this situation.

    ** Have your severance agreement and anything else they ask you to sign reviewed by legal counsel. ** These agreements are not written to protect you but protect the company. Be aware of what you are giving up in exchange for the severance so you have no surprises after the fact.

    You could ask to heave early, but why not just go out on a high note and stay the additional 60 days? This is where knowing what is in your severance agreement will help you. If there is something in there stating that you must work out the 60 days and you try to leave early, HR may or may not tell you what you are forfeiting. Besides, working that 60 days out will give you time to build up your new business while getting paid your salary. Think of it as additional capital.

    Best wishes to you.

18. BarbaraAugust 17,2024 at 3:26PM UTC

    Excellent advice!!

19. AnonymousAugust 17,2024 at 2:52PM UTC

    I believe you need to just stay where you are You may not ger the severance package if you quit, and although you may have just opened a LLC, that does not promise income immediately . If you quit you won't be able to collect unemployment and you may need it until your business takes off .

20. AnonymousAugust 18,2024 at 1:43PM UTC

    Great, great response! Lose unemployment, health care and lots of money

21. AnonymousAugust 17,2024 at 3:22PM UTC

    Do not risk your severance. Especially if you only have an LLC but no actual income or business yet. Use the next 60 days to wrap up things at your job while putting energy into your business. In this economy it would be foolish to walk away from 2 months of income that you could pour into your business.

22. Stephanie Branch LekowskiAugust 17,2024 at 3:49PM UTC

    Wow! Good for you in wanting to get started on your journey. It wouldn't hurt to ask, all they can do is say no. Good luck!

23. AnonymousAugust 18,2024 at 1:42PM UTC

    If she asks to leave with severance package, she may be terminated. I support others' comments to just stay and get everything plus health insurance.

24. Rosa GoesAugust 17,2024 at 4:33PM UTC

    In these situations the notice and severance come together as a package. In other words, you can't have one without the other. You can leave at anytime but no severance. Stay the 60 days, it will go by fast.

25. AnonymousAugust 17,2024 at 5:15PM UTC

    I am sorry you were laid off. Just make sure you will get your serverance package.

26. AnonymousAugust 17,2024 at 8:00PM UTC

    I wouldn’t. You may lose your severance package - plus don’t forget you would lose 2 months of insurance too

27. suzanne stricklandAugust 18,2024 at 5:24AM UTC

    See my comment above!

28. Jen MooreAugust 18,2024 at 12:05PM UTC

    I would draw it out To gain more benefits And learn what’s really going on

29. na1102August 18,2024 at 12:55PM UTC

    I think you would lose your package and don’t forget. Health insurance is very costly -,you don’t want to lose 2 months of health coverage. Also if you’re laid off, file for unemployment immediately.

30. AnonymousAugust 19,2024 at 12:39PM UTC

    If she leaves, she quits. Unemployment doesn't cover that.

31. Dawn CrossAugust 18,2024 at 2:26PM UTC

    Generally, when you are offered a severance package, here are conditions to be fulfilled. Read the package, front to back and then again before countering.

32. Jacquie MargueriteAugust 19,2024 at 3:03PM UTC

    Read the paperwork you were given. It should be laid out in there.

33. LORI-ANN BURLINGAMEAugust 19,2024 at 4:44PM UTC

    What kind of reference do you want from the company?

    You say that you want a "clean break." Why not start that "clean break" on a positive note. Do the project, if they have one, and then leave. You will be making a valuable contribution to the company.

34. AnonymousAugust 21,2024 at 12:21PM UTC

    You need to stay calm & search for better option.

35. Michael PerkowskiAugust 21,2024 at 9:12PM UTC

    I have been laid twice in the past year. Best advice I give you is always leave your resume on line for companies to see. Even if your happy in your job. Always leave your resume on all year around and every year you never know a better job can come around.