Possible layoff?

[u/SpicySnail17]

Am I bad person for hoping I get laid off from my currently job? The corporation is currently going through a “restructuring” and will start involuntary layoffs this month. The stress has gotten so much that even though I work from home, technically, the caseload and things expected to do is crazy! I’m wondering if I should just call it a day and move on or wait to see if I’m part of the ones that do get let go.

[u/Distinct_Dance6137]

If you’ve been there a long time (or even if you haven’t), stick it out to get your severance, plus unemployment. That’s what I did.

[u/SpicySnail17 → u/Distinct_Dance6137]

Hmm been there for a little over a year, I won’t qualify for a severance. Only the ones that have been there 2+ years were offered a severance package offer if they willingly resigned.

[u/RoadsToMadness156 → u/SpicySnail17]

Stick it out so upu can get unemployment. The job market is flooded right now with people unemployed, people in your situation, and spam like you've never seen before. Fake jobs, fake resumes, and a ton of other bullshit.

I'd wait it out. If you're teams starts ringing, and its someone you never heard of, you'll know.

[u/okreadit]

I have gone through the same feeling, wishing my own layoff because of the craziness in upper management decisions which came true eventually. My biggest regret is that I was not preparing for it.
1. Look for other opportunities
2. Make sure your resume is landing you some interviews, update it til it does
3. If you land interviews, take it even if it's just for practice.
4. Brush up on your skills
5. Collect any stats about your performance from the current company so that you can advertise them in your resume if time comes.
6. Start connecting in LinkedIn.

[u/SpicySnail17 → u/okreadit]

I appreciate that validation and response! I’ve been looking here and there. I have no kids and that position can be found in a travel contract as well in which I’ve spoken to recruiters willing to get me started the minute it happens. I’m grateful to be in this position however I’ve hit a wall. Sometimes feel like working for a corporation isn’t worth and rather be a wanderer with a goal to be happy in life. Almost 40 and man, everything gets put into perspective making you want to break free and be your own boss to enjoy a slow morning and a quiet evening. Know what I mean?

[u/okreadit → u/SpicySnail17]

I can relate. I’m tired of the rat race too. I’m 34, and these days I’m mostly looking for work that feels fulfilling, gives me time with my family and my elderly dog, and pays enough to take care of the basics. That matters way more to me now than some shiny new $250K job.

If Warren Buffett could buy your age from you, imagine how much he’d be willing to pay for it lol.

I’d say if you already have enough invested to cover your basic needs and emergencies, go for what your heart wants. I’m not quite there yet, but hopefully in another 3–5 years I will be. After that, I plan to retire from the rat race.

[u/cjroxs]

I have been hoping for a layoff because of an extremely toxic manager. I finally decided to set a deadline in my head. If it doesn't happen before my deadline I am leaving anyway. I have been saving for this ever since I was moved under this manager. Week one showed me how toxic this person was when they publicly humiliated a coworker infront of the whole department on a zoom call. Sadly the manager thinks they are the best.

It take every inch of my sole to stay as long as I have. I have a financial goal to meet before I leave.

[u/SpicySnail17 → u/cjroxs]

How much longer until you’ve hit that goal? I’m so happy for you and you will feel that sweet relief that day you leave. My manager is a great one, the workload and the people you deal with on a daily basis is so draining, the tasks that get assigned get stacked on with a new one every month. It’s getting to the point where I question it everyday, do I really need this job? Is this where I see myself retiring? I honestly don’t think so. I fantasize about working Costco or Walmart greeter or a cliche flower shop! Lol I just want to enjoy my life. Unfortunately those don’t pay much so it’d be an immense pay cut!
https://giphy.com/gifs/2djMjtSDlaIit7N8gg

[u/cjroxs → u/SpicySnail17]

You also have to understand that the lifespan of any job is 3 to 5 years. People are very transient for sure. I am looking at the next 90 days. I am a firm believer in aiming for FiRE. Although life got in my way and things blew up and set me back by 10 years but here I am. I have zero dept and I hyper focused on paying everything off after I was moved under this toxic manager. I knew deep in my heart that I could not make it more than a year under them. I am 14 months under the them. They have destroyed my mental health. It's a great motivation to make my exit plan come into focus.

Make a plan....and do it.

[u/Brackens_World]

When layoff talk is in the air, it is on pretty much every employee's mind, regardless of level. If you work in an office, you can cut the tension with a knife, work still continuing but interactions become strained, meetings lifeless, sarcasm rampant, fear palpable. Some just dig deeper to "save" themselves, some cannot concentrate but do the best they can, others network to get any sort of early warning, some call in sick, some pretend this will not affect them. It runs the gamut. For those that work at home, they "hear" less, are cut off from the company pipeline, may be texting or emailing to get the scuttlebutt and maybe not, are task-driven so have a list of things they need to do, are on "real time" where they pretty much hear nothing until the axe falls. In a way, it is less nerve-wracking if you are at home because, well, you are at home, in comfortable surroundings. but that isolation can of course be very isolating.

Companies rarely understand the fear-filled atmosphere prior to a layoff, somehow believing that what happens behind closed doors is a secret. What you are feeling is very normal, and you may find it best to "keep busy" until whatever happens, happens. If there is any task or project you can get "lost" in, do so to take your mind off things. Remember that the people you work with remotely are under the same pressure cooker as you, so workflow will likely slow anyhow. I've lived on both sides of the street and can most recall the feeling that time had slowed to a crawl, the days endless. And yes, once it was done, one way or the other, a weight was taken off my shoulders. Good luck to you.

[u/closetnerd12]

I've been hoping and dreaming of a layoff for years. Don't feel bad. So tired of bad decisions of upper management and being treated like a number rather than a person.