Thread regarding Nike Inc. layoffs

I was part of the September layoffs; sharing my experience and what I learned. They told me the # of weeks of severance I’d get in my layoff conversation; this same number was restated when the official severance agreement came. The severance was paid out at what I’d imagine was the next pay cycle following when I’d signed the agreement (2 wks or less). Note that severance will come as a LUMP SUM. You will not get weekly severance payments.

Also: there’s a federal law (the WARN Act) that requires large companies to give employees 60 days notice before mass layoffs. The way Nike handled this in Sept was that we were told we were immediately relieved of our job duties but we were technically employed for another 60 days. So, still received regular paychecks for 60 days. Health insurance was also still active (didn’t flip to COBRA yet), etc. Hope this helps! Good luck to you and everyone else navigating this big change.

This doesn’t make sense. I heard they informed people what the severance on the call and followed up with the document a few days later.

@as I mean that seems fair

Something to think about when deciding where to apply..

My severance stated that by accepting it I I couldn’t work at Nike or any affiliates of Nike for the duration of my severance. Meaning if they gave me 40 weeks of severance and I did go back before that time was up I’d have to pay back for the time that hadn’t run out. Example: if I went back at week 20 I’d have to pay back 1/2 my severance.

I don’t know that everyone’s agreement states this, but mine did.

Having a delayed severance document means that you can talk anyone about the severance agreement, because Nike told us the numbers but we have not signed the agreement saying we cannot tell anyone. Once we sign that doc, then we should keep our mouths closed.

I too have a family to provide for. I couldn’t afford to “take time”. My personal goal was to have another role by the time continuance ended, no time for a breather. No shame in not skipping a beat. Don’t wait for Nike to give you a green light. Move quietly while you collect the checks. They strung all of us along, you do what’s best for you now.

Thank you everyone, OP here and it’s just unnerving not having a job regardless of what severance is going to be paid. I have a responsibility to my family (and secondarily myself) and “taking some time off to think” just isn’t my style.

If you are waiting for Nike to tell you what to do….. Don’t do that! You really have to put yourself first. Nike is a company.

You can take another job. I did! I called people solutions to confirm. I didn’t advertise my new role until after my severance was paid out just to keep it quiet. Collect the checks, wait for the severance, take an offer if you get one. The severance doc is pretty simple.

You can take a job and you can earn a check from both companies at the same time. Highly recommended if possible.