Thread regarding Bed Bath & Beyond layoffs

Warning! Severance/Release Packet

I was a full-time associate that was just laid off. My store manager specifically told me I would definitely not be denied unemployment because this was such a widespread company lay off/decision. However, I personally do not think I’m going to accept the severance/release packet. It is filled with jargon that is extremely difficult to understand. From what I do understand, you are basically completely signing your rights away that will not allow you to sue/make any legal claims against this company. I’m just encouraging anyone that I can, that it is so important to truly know what you are signing for before you do it. I genuinely think it is best to just go ahead and do unemployment. I do not trust Bed Bath and Beyond at all, and I really don’t feel they will be giving people what they truly deserve in their severance packages.

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| 1801 views | | 8 replies (last August 27, 2020) | Reply
Post ID: @OP+16E49rhE

8 replies (most recent on top)

They are tricky. Jacked several employees out of our severance packages. Good luck

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Post ID: @uln+16E49rhE

Signing doesn't waive your right to unemployment. Each state is different but all you're doing is agreeing that you won't sue them. You're not saying you won't collect unemployment and I used to work in HR so I can tell you Bed Bath isn't going to contest any unemployment claims. And depending on your state severance doesn't affect unemployment benefits either because they are considered wages for hours previously worked, not new wages so you won't have to claim it as income when you file your UI claim.

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Post ID: @pcp+16E49rhE

Have to agree here. I don’t see anything wrong with what this associate said. There is nothing in this post that implies having plans of suing/making claims against this company at all. It is just warning others that signing this, waives your right to do so. Regardless of whether you accept the severance or not, it is very important to know what you are signing and that the forms you received are 100% accurate and correct.

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Post ID: @ten+16E49rhE

Bad decision. First, it is highly unlikely you are going to sue them. With a mass layoff you will have no traction in a court of law to prove you were unjustly fired. Also, these lawsuits take years, drag you through the mud, and cost tens of thousand of dollars... which you will likely not win and likely cannot afford. Severance is a benefit and many, many companies do not offer it at all ever... especially in times like today. You should be VERY grateful they gave you one, take it, and move on. I guarantee no matter how mad you are if you refuse you will end up with nothing and a lot of bitterness. If you don't beleive me, hire an attorney, and get some legal advice on if you have a claim and what you can do. Take the money and move on... be happy they gave you anything and will not fight against you for unemployment (because they can try to deny you that, too).

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Post ID: @gmr+16E49rhE

Every severance agreement on the planet states these things. That’s why they exist. The unemployment depends on the state. You should really refrain from these blanket statements as you are giving some people bad information!

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Post ID: @jgy+16E49rhE

To receive severance you must sign agreement and send back, you can file for unemployment too. The severance we earned with for working there better then having nothing

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Post ID: @jex+16E49rhE

I agree. Read and break down whatever it is you've been given before you sign anything. At the end, it is everyone's decision. There are pros and cons of everything, but I just want you to know that what ever you decide, things will turn out okay. Just have faith, stay positive, and keep your relationships with your managers and co workers. In the end, those relationshops you have will help you land jobs you never had even considered before.

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Post ID: @tcz+16E49rhE

I was part of the first group to get laid off back in July of 2019. I received my severance, once my severance ended, I filed for unemployment. The people at unemployment asked me why did I wait so long to file. I told them because BBB stated that we could not file while we were’s receiving a severance, they told me that’s actually not true but that’s in the state of New Jersey I could have filed immediately the day after I was let go. At the end it all worked out.

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Post ID: @sji+16E49rhE

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