There are some specific steps to take that might be beneficial to some of us on here:
- If you still have floating holiday, use it ASAP
- Check if your state requires payment of PTO. If you don’t take it, it may disappear
- Be sure your manager is aware of any protected status you have. That may positively impact your severance
- Know the cost of COBRA
- Build the relationships that will be valuable to you if you’re laid off - references, networks for future jobs, and future business contacts are invaluable. Personal phone numbers and email addresses are crucial
- Build those LinkedIn connections now, before a layoff
- Do NOT do anything the company might consider crossing a line of taking confidential information. I’ll let you figure out how to navigate that!
- Any health or ancillary benefits that you want to take advantage of, do it NOW. The year is wrapping up quickly anyhow.
- Max out your 401k if you’ve got the ability
10, Make sure you have the HR number and any benefits numbers or addresses. - Get your information out there on LinkedIn and other sites, and keep your status as “Open to Work”. It’s easier to get a job when you have a job, or so the saying goes.
- Keep your head up, don’t doomscroll on this site, and try to avoid too much gossip with coworkers - Optum is just a paycheck, not the meaning of our lives.
I hope this helps - it’s a partial list, and others might have additions etc.