Thread regarding IBM layoffs

I know the OP and I know the odds were stacked against her from the beginning.
And how poorly she (read "the whole team") was treated wrt (no) raises, (no) bonuses, (No)thing for all the hard work.

So no issue here with her playing a bit of end game chess.

(OP) Final moves - RA'd on April 4th - and May 1st - 3 days left now on HR Autopilot/Bot and then BAM (channeling Emeril L) 3 months of gravy train lump sum.

That will make 3 months re-deployed; 2 months dual employment; 3 more months "dual employment equivalent".

A bit of a game - but QED

It's now a 3 player Chess game. Two sided but 3 player. The "new player" is on IBM's team but is essentially on my side.

"Your separation is now underway" means automation now has the keys and
management has to overtly take action to do anything other than have
automation auto-complete separation EOD May 4th.

Combine that with pretty much zero reasonable match jobs in GOM - and a very, very, short runway for interviews and offer. Must all happen before or on May 4th to interrupt bot.

"if you are offered a comparable internal position and you turn it down, you could lose your severance package"

Correct. This is part of the game - dragging out the process with any interested parties.

That said - as of roughly today - when managers (they've asked) input unused vacation and equipment - then you get "Your Separation is Now in Process" and the automatic process is fully started .

Offhand at this point I probably need to do nothing - even with an offer.

Remember also that "Severance" (per a THLOff post I can't find) is NOT "Severance" but is payment for signing a contract "the gag order" some refer to. To wit they offer that to pretty much all separations - and esp interested in the not so fun ones - to gag them.

And humans have done so well playing chess against IBM.

If you've been RAed, your job is to find a new job. Congratulations, you've already succeeded. You can either start the new job now and collect pay from both jobs (and eventually your IBM severance) or enjoy doing nothing for the rest of your IBM time, pick up your severance, and then start the new job. If you are retirement-eligible, they will characterize your separation as retirement anyway so there is no need to tell them you're retiring.

You might want to read your package. It has been awhile since I've had to deliver one, but I seem to remember that if you are offered a comparable internal position and you turn it down, you could lose your severance package. Make sure you understand the rules of the game you are playing.

maybe overthinking it?
You’ve been RAd and a severance package offered. At some point you’re expected to sign. So sign.

If they ask why then you have a lot of answers to choose from starting from: you were RAd, wasn’t your choice. So you’re going to take it and: a) have a break, b) spend time with family c) rethink your life d) travel e) join a cult. You don’t even have to give a reason.

1. Be sure to use up your Personal Choice holidays as they're not paid out nor prorated (except for California). You should have 4 you can use all at once.

2. Be sure to cancel any other scheduled vacation as they'll then get paid out lump sum.

Sick time? Hmm... don't you get last years remaining balance plus this years non prorated? Thinking so. Prob 56 for last year carryover + 56 for this year. Doesn't require manager's approval nor explanation. That would darn near carry you to final day.

100. File B after executing A to not lay it fully out.

Just some thoughts. Wish I was in the same boat!

Just a few thoughts.

To this question"Why not ask the outside offer for a delayed start date?" the OP's point strongly seems to be to navigate the remaining job search, with managers helping, until RA'd.

A delayed start date is totally independent of navigating the roughly 4 weeks to severance. Perhaps OP shouldn't have mentioned new job as it's irrelevant to his chess game for the most part.

I'm not spouting BS. And, yes, it's worth my time for 4 months (April +3) pay. Wouldn't be for one month. But for 4? Sure. As far as my new job - no real distraction as this chess is strategic not busy work. For only 4 more weeks at that. And as now RA all former responsibilities are gone.

Why not ask the outside offer for a delayed start date?

Assuming that your situation is as you say and you're not just spouting off a bunch of BS, let me ask you one question...is it really worth your time to play games for a few months of severance?

Unless you're really special and have connections to division-level management, you're most likely not going to get rehired internally and your severance won't be worth all that much. Wouldn't it be easier to just concentrate on your new job (with a raise no less) and leave all the craziness behind?

Hmm previous poster - do you not think a wise person would look internally and externally at the same time? And get hired? And drag out a month to get severance? And actually have nice managers facilitating?

Nope. Not BS. Learn young Palawan.

This post is total BS