Any tips on what to do and how to prepare and make sure that we get the benefits and guarantees as promised?
Anything that we should NOT do?
Any input is welcome, thanks!
8 replies (most recent on top)
Save a copy of the Severance FAQs PDF available on T-Nation.
Also, save a copy of the Severance Guidelines for Below Director employees located on the Leaving T-Mobile site mentioned in the Severance FAQs.
Review & understand those documents, then compare them against any you may receive in relation to your actual Severance Agreement.
Also note that, much like the Severance materials, these resources referenced in the Severance FAQs are only available on the T-Mobile Network or VPN:
- Retiree Health Care Offerings
- Appreciation Zone (redeem or receive payout)
@1xad+1isovokW There's a few flaws with your recommendation of reapplying to T-Mobile.
- There's effectively a hiring freeze. There might be open reqs, and interviews, but they're shying away from actually making offers while they're trying to figure out what is going on in their orgs and what it would look like.
- If it's a job elimination, then your skillset might not be as transferable.
- Depending on your job, a new job might be in a different location.
- During eliminations earlier this year, those impacted were given a choice of taking severance/layoff then and there, or given 2 months to find another internal role. If that choice is no longer given, then it tells me there's not much internally there.
- Mentally/Emotionally, why would you want to continue working here? Layoffs are continuing, so what's preventing you from getting laid off again? Plus, culturally, it's really gone downhill. It's no different from a toxic ex who just dumped you. It's better to move on.
Reapply to TMUS immediately. Many laid off will not think of doing this, it's genius. TMUS will always be hiring, you will receive preferential treatment as a former employee.
Best place to find a new job is LinkedIn. Recommend it over all job sites. If you don’t have a profile build one and sign up for premium, it’s free to start. Also, update your resume.
Don’t expect Kansas to pay unemployment if you get a lump sum. I finally got approximately 3 weeks of unemployment presumably for the first three weeks after I got laid off in June and when my lump sum severance was paid. Was told I would not get unemployment until December due to severance.
Completely read and follow all of the severance paperwork. If you're given a "stay or go" offer, do not agree to anything until you see it on paper.
Some extra suggestions:
- Take advantage of the outplacement service T-MO pays for. Outplacement won't find a job for you, but they can help shape your resume and linked-in account.
- Do NOT postpone learning about and applying for unemployment in your state. You can apply the same week of your last day. The severance pay may take about 30 days to arrive. Unemployment can help you those first few weeks, but they may suspend it (put it on hold) when you receive your severance.
- T-MO will pay 2 months of your healthcare - this is great. After that, COBRA is available but very expensive (1600 for family). You can buy at healthcare.gov for about 1/2 price.
Go into Kronos and screenshot your current balances.
Make sure your starting date is correct.
Check your ADP account.
Check Fidelity.
Make sure any outstanding 401K loads are paid off.
Make sure you've made contacts with people who remain on other platforms like linkedin, facebook, and non-tmo email.
Don't agree to or do any exit interviews. It won't change anything for the positive, the references from T-Mobile (the company) are just that you worked here from X to Y.