Thread regarding Nike Inc. layoffs

Agreeing big time with @iuz - especially if OP has worked in good standing for a decade-plus…are a last few weeks taking it easy really going to matter. It certainly shouldn’t.

I like money. So I suggest taking the PTO Cash out. Don't be stupid and take all your PTO because you don't want to work. Take the money, go fly somewhere and enjoy your a-s off on your new cash.

Every individual is free to behave however they wish, e.g. sure, you can choose to do things that can burn bridges and leave a bad reputation (not saying that is what the original OP was advocating for), alternatively you can choose to go exactly by the books and do what you believe the Nike company and managers would want you to do for their benefit.

The reality probably lies somewhere in the middle where most people ramp down their on-the-job attention, responsibilities and deliverables in a natural way but still remain reasonably productive until the agreed-upon end date.

For anyone interested in behaving in a more extreme "do whatever I want it's my last month/week/day" attitude I would simply caution that from my own first-hand networking with other leaders across the industry, you never know who is connected or networked with whom. I've learned of managers who were close friends with people I swore they were enemies with or CXOs who knew other CXOs across industries and locations that would compare notes on applicants.

Don't leave your previous employer in a way that if your new employer found out about your behaviors, it would look bad on you. The business world is MUCH more tightly connected than you would imagine and reputations can get around and stick with you far longer than you may like.

As for the specific scenario the OP asked for, from what I've seen, people have taken 1 week of PTO inclusive of their 2 weeks notice and it wasn't considered too much of an issue but more than that built some resentment and "raised eyebrows" by colleagues. I would agree with your assumption that unless you are in an incredibly rare position of skill or experience that cannot be backfilled reasonably fast, Nike will ask you to exit pretty close to whenever it is clear you are leaving.

@iuz, you are an incredibly unethical person and you lack the very thing than makes us human - integrity! Sadly, entitled people such as yourself have ruined this country. You are a “cross between a cockroach and that white stuff that accumulates at the corner of your mouth when you are really thirsty.”

@pgk that's not quite true on the taxes. it's a little convoluted, but I want OP to have the correct information to make an informed decision:

• your PTO and bonuses are not actually taxed differently, but higher taxes are withheld upfront
• if you were on track to pay/owe $0 taxes at the end of the tax year, then you'd actually receive a refund for these additional withholds
• why is this? it's lazy accounting. they look at your current paycheck (which is artificially high due to the bonus/PTO cashout) and assume that's the amount for all 26 paychecks. they look up that number on a chart and withhold that income level of taxes
• if you're super concerned about uncle sam holding your extra money so long, then go into the MePortal and adjust your W-4 to reduce your withholding. or adjust your W-4 at your new employer

Good for you! Now, here is how to approach it:

1. Try to get as much time out of your new employer as possible, without making it awkward (or, if the new gig pays significantly more, without compromising your own financial well being). In my experience, 8-weeks is totally reasonable. Even 10-weeks wouldn’t seem crazy.

2. Do the absolute minimum (or less, on Thurs/Fri) for the next 6-weeks. Do NOT take a minute of your accrued PTO (but take as much COVID / mental health time as they’re dishing out these days). Again, do all that you can to minimize effort during these weeks - to an extreme - is critical. The goal is to make it feel as much like a vacation as humanly possible.

3. End of week-6, save examples of important work you’ve done, screenshots of “interesting” email and Slack convos, and give the ol’ 1-week notice. It might feel weird, but tell them you’ve gotten a totally unexpected, life-changing opportunity, and make up something about your new employer needing to onboard you ASAP.

4. Spend week-7 working remote (getting your “things in order”), using your Nike benefits, getting drinks with pals. Whatever.

5. Spend week-8 sleeping in, knowing you left taking as much back - and getting paid for it - as any decent person should. Your accrued PTO will land with that last paycheck.

Bonus…

6. Only thing you could do better is make week-6 align with June 1st, and secure that PSP. Oh well.

@owa+1eXGmfbu, thank you. I have already taken my 10-year sabbatical.

Take your sabbatical. Then announce your resignation date as sometime in the start of the first week of a following month. This will give you medical coverage through the end of your termination month, provide coverage during your sabbatical, and let you cash out any remaining PTO.

It's taxed like a bonus of you cash out.

@rje+1eXGmfbu: you mean like take some PTO before putting in my notice and then cash out the rest after?

Slack off for a few weeks and then cash out your PTO. The best of both worlds.