I don't have a job lined up exactly, but let's just say there's a high probability I wouldn't be unemployed for more than a month. Is there a way to hint to my manager I'd be happy to take a package? What's the worst thing that could happen?
18 replies (most recent on top)
If you had better prospects elsewhere you’d probably have left already. So many deluded people on this site.
My manager acts like Im a stranger even though I've known her for a decade.
Are they not allowed to talk to former employees? If so I think it's okay now lol.
The terrible irony is that that's exactly how you get adverse impact. People are routinely downsized from WF simply to cool the books to make it LOOK like it's fair. "Oh, that's not good, we have too many olds this Tuesday. Hey, Karl, give me a dozen names of people that are under 40, we'll fix this right up..." The truth of the matter is that Shart hates old employees, he presumes they are all incompetent, resistant to stupid changes, or were involved in scandals, but he can't just only fire old people, so some youngin's are getting nuked purely for the sake of appearances and thwarting lawsuits.
Yeah don't do this. Coworker of mine confided to her manager that she was planning to retire in the next year if he wanted to do some succession planning but was still doing her work at a high level, when he decided she was the one to get the Does Not Meet. In her case, she just jumped ship early, but it was not the way she planned to go out and cost her a bonus/match.
I know at least one guy who did it but you have to have a really rock solid relationship with your manager, the number of ways this can backfire vastly outnumber the ways it can work out in your favor
The worst thing that could happen is that this job you think you have lined up goes away because of year-end budgeting and then you are unemployed.
On one of our staff calls about 3 years ago, I told my manager if they were asked to give names to please put mine at the top of the list. I was ready to go.
It took about 6 months, but I was finally blessed with the boot!
I have never been happier. It worked for me!
I agree with the earlier comment that if you signal you are ready to leave and would welcome a package, you'll never get one. They'll play a waiting game and hope you self select out on your own dime without paying you anything.
They want to get to the least amount of headcount the cheapest way. Why do you think we are all living under constant threat of layoff with zero clear communication from the top? The uncertainty is the goal.
A little HR process called “adverse impact” prevents any amount of requesting or volunteering for a package to work out. Severance is technically a benefit, and they always review the list of “impacted” teammates for disparate treatment. It has to be fair, have a logical process, and be applied without favor. Giving “you” what “you wanted” would unleash a cascade of lawsuits of favoritism and hostile work environment.
Only if they open up a voluntary buyout would an ask be entertained, but even that can be turned down.
Nice try Charles. I'll leave as soon as you pay, not before.
I have ALWAYS figured, 'If you want it, they won't give it to you'
ALWAYS pretend to need a job.
I have rarely seen people in my peer group, that got 'whacked' and regretted it, myself included.
Cheers!
If you want to leave, just go ahead and apply those jobs you think you will get if you want to leave. Employment processes usually take months. Don’t wait around for a severance package.
Won’t work.
It’s risky. I tried it a year ago and I’m still here. They don’t seem to appreciate volunteers.
I have never seen asking for the package to work out
They might think they can save a package & you will leave on your own. They may turn the sc--ws to make life unbearable for you to speed up the process. Don't say anything.
I shared with my mgr. verbal only nothing in writing. Im ready
Reverse psychology is the only way to go here. Tell them you desperately need the job and homelessness is possible if something happens. Guaranteed to be downsized.