# How to handle my layoff? **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [November 15, 2025, 3:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-handle-my-layoff/1024867 "2025-11-15T03:38:32Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 15
**Author:** ![Johnny\_L.A](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johnny_l.a/32/1084_2.png) [@Johnny\_L.A](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johnny_L.A)\ **Post date:** [January 28, 2026, 4:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-handle-my-layoff/1024867/281 "2026-01-28T16:56:41Z")
One of my replacements received a quarterly revenue report from one of the credit bureaus that pays us for the data. **October:** $10,218.74 **November:** $7,449.19 **December** : $8,670.49 [Total: $$26,338.42 for Q4 2025] Hm. I wonder what happened between October and the end of November? (Probably just seasonal fluctuation, but I still think it looks nice. 😉 😛 ) I was informed by Tampa that they will not work on a particular contributor’s data, because it must be manually entered into a template. (They are unable to send machine readable files, and send their quarterly a/r files as scans.) I don’t know how much we make of of their data, but now we won’t make anything from it. Another contributor can’t send customer files, so we have to request complete name/address/phone information from them every month. I’m betting we’re not going to take their data anymore either. Then there’s the octogenarian who sends Z-fold printouts. No uploads for him! ---
**Author:** ![Johnny\_L.A](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johnny_l.a/32/1084_2.png) [@Johnny\_L.A](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johnny_L.A)\ **Post date:** [January 28, 2026, 6:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-handle-my-layoff/1024867/282 "2026-01-28T18:26:39Z")
I’ve remembered to upload the data and videography résumés to WorkSourceWA, and the data one to Indeed. ---
**Author:** ![Al128](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/al128/32/16541_2.png) [@Al128](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Al128)\ **Post date:** [January 28, 2026, 7:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-handle-my-layoff/1024867/283 "2026-01-28T19:33:05Z")
> [@Johnny\_L.A](#): > > I was informed by Tampa that they will not work on a particular contributor’s data, because it must be manually entered into a template. (They are unable to send machine readable files, and send their quarterly a/r files as scans.) I don’t know how much we make of of their data, but now we won’t make anything from it. Another contributor can’t send customer files, so we have to request complete name/address/phone information from them every month. I’m betting we’re not going to take their data anymore either. Then there’s the octogenarian who sends Z-fold printouts. No uploads for him! Random thought: is that how enshittification starts? ---
**Author:** ![Johnny\_L.A](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johnny_l.a/32/1084_2.png) [@Johnny\_L.A](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johnny_L.A)\ **Post date:** [January 28, 2026, 7:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-handle-my-layoff/1024867/284 "2026-01-28T19:42:08Z")
Yep. Data quality matters. We get paid when someone pulls a credit report on a company that is being reported by one of our contributors. If the record does not pass validation for whatever reason, it never makes it to the report; so we would not get paid for it. If a company stops reporting (or if we tell them we’re not going to load their data), then whatever the last amount that was loaded stays on the credit report for three years. This, of course, results in ‘stale’, inaccurate reports that might end up denying a credit applicant credit. And then, of course, there will be mis-merges and split files. But TPTB have decided quality isn’t important enough to ensure quality data. And you know what? In a month, I’m not going to care. ---
**Author:** ![Voyager](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/voyager/32/133_2.png) [@Voyager](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Voyager)\ **Post date:** [January 29, 2026, 5:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-handle-my-layoff/1024867/285 "2026-01-29T17:56:18Z")
> [@Johnny\_L.A](#): > > And you know what? In a month, I’m not going to care. You shouldn’t care now. You tried your best, and their meltdown is not going to affect you. ---
**Author:** ![susan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/susan/32/17537_2.png) [@susan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/susan)\ **Post date:** [January 29, 2026, 6:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-handle-my-layoff/1024867/286 "2026-01-29T18:12:40Z")
Assume an air of polite helpfulness, and do as you’re asked, but yes, practice letting it go. ---
**Author:** ![Voyager](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/voyager/32/133_2.png) [@Voyager](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Voyager)\ **Post date:** [January 29, 2026, 7:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-handle-my-layoff/1024867/287 "2026-01-29T19:57:30Z")
And make sure any meetings to discuss this are scheduled after the end date. ---
**Author:** ![Johnny\_L.A](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johnny_l.a/32/1084_2.png) [@Johnny\_L.A](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johnny_L.A)\ **Post date:** [February 4, 2026, 8:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-handle-my-layoff/1024867/288 "2026-02-04T20:15:45Z")
I’ve completed the USPS assessment test for the rural mail carrier job. I passed, and my profile says ‘Eligible’. Mostly ‘What would you do?’ and ‘personality’ questions. I passed anyway. I was hoping for/expecting some logic puzzles like ‘finish the sequence’. I was going to go to Costco after work. I called to find out how late the HR people are there, and was told that they only accept online applications, that they have no openings now, and that they usually do their hiring in Spring. ☹ ---
**Author:** ![susan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/susan/32/17537_2.png) [@susan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/susan)\ **Post date:** [February 5, 2026, 5:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-handle-my-layoff/1024867/289 "2026-02-05T05:50:24Z")
Spring’s a-comin’. Sorry, though. ---
**Author:** ![Johnny\_L.A](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johnny_l.a/32/1084_2.png) [@Johnny\_L.A](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johnny_L.A)\ **Post date:** [February 12, 2026, 8:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-handle-my-layoff/1024867/290 "2026-02-12T20:57:59Z")
I had an interview today, with a company just across the border. My contact there was enthusiastic to help me. I met the HR guy in Bellingham. I think they’re looking for someone with manufacturing experience, rather than someone looking for a career change. ---
**Author:** ![Johnny\_L.A](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johnny_l.a/32/1084_2.png) [@Johnny\_L.A](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johnny_L.A)\ **Post date:** [February 18, 2026, 3:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-handle-my-layoff/1024867/291 "2026-02-18T15:36:30Z")
I’ve received a conditional offer from USPS for a Rural Route Carrier position in Blaine. (Monday I applied for two in Bellingham.) The hourly wage is 82.5% of what I make now, and it’s described as a part-time position. It could be 20 hours one week, and 60 hours the next. I need to click a link, fill out some stuff, schedule an appointment for fingerprints, etc. I’ll wait until after breakfast, anyway. I have three days to accept. Note that this is a conditional offer. There’s a line in the letter that basically says, ‘Don’t quit your day job.’ ---
**Author:** ![Pork\_Rind](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pork_rind/32/111_2.png) [@Pork\_Rind](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Pork_Rind)\ **Post date:** [February 18, 2026, 4:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-handle-my-layoff/1024867/292 "2026-02-18T16:00:22Z")
> [@Johnny\_L.A](#): > > I have three days to accept. Note that this is a conditional offer. There’s a line in the letter that basically says, ‘Don’t quit your day job.’ Ha! Then go ahead and accept, and think of it as a _conditional acceptance_. ---
**Author:** ![puzzlegal](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/puzzlegal/32/3827_2.png) [@puzzlegal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/puzzlegal)\ **Post date:** [February 18, 2026, 4:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-handle-my-layoff/1024867/293 "2026-02-18T16:42:09Z")
That sounds great! Good luck. ---
**Author:** ![Al128](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/al128/32/16541_2.png) [@Al128](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Al128)\ **Post date:** [February 18, 2026, 7:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-handle-my-layoff/1024867/294 "2026-02-18T19:17:43Z")
At least you have a rather solid plan b. ---
**Author:** ![Johnny\_L.A](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johnny_l.a/32/1084_2.png) [@Johnny\_L.A](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johnny_L.A)\ **Post date:** [February 18, 2026, 8:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-handle-my-layoff/1024867/295 "2026-02-18T20:11:24Z")
I love having backup plans. We have a propane furnace for heat, plus a wood-burning stove insert (very pretty to watch), plus radiator-style electric space heaters. We have an electric stove/oven, an air-frying toaster oven, a microwave oven, a propane barbie with a side burner, numerous Svea 123 and other camp stoves, and a Colman two-burner stove. There are flashlights in most rooms, a drawer with candles in the kitchen (and cantle lanterns in the living room), and a couple of Colman lanterns (one of which is easily accessible). We have a 3 KW Honda generator so that we can have light, coffee, TV, Internet (as long as Xfinity’s pole-mounted box has power), and DVD player. We can use our phones for WiFi hotspots (though we have the lowest-gig plan). I buy consumables before they are consumed. So, yeah… Backups are nice. 🙂 In actual thread-related news, I’ve completed the background investigation form, and have requested an appointment for fingerprinting. ---
**Author:** ![wguy123](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wguy123/32/3161_2.png) [@wguy123](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wguy123)\ **Post date:** [February 18, 2026, 8:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-handle-my-layoff/1024867/296 "2026-02-18T20:17:12Z")
I see you are a belt, suspenders, & pants two sizes too small kinda guy. 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![Johnny\_L.A](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johnny_l.a/32/1084_2.png) [@Johnny\_L.A](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johnny_L.A)\ **Post date:** [February 18, 2026, 8:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-handle-my-layoff/1024867/297 "2026-02-18T20:17:48Z")
I didn’t even mention the numerous ways we have of making coffee. ---
**Author:** ![wguy123](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wguy123/32/3161_2.png) [@wguy123](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wguy123)\ **Post date:** [February 18, 2026, 8:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-handle-my-layoff/1024867/298 "2026-02-18T20:19:01Z")
Now you are getting into the important things! ---
**Author:** ![Johnny\_L.A](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johnny_l.a/32/1084_2.png) [@Johnny\_L.A](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johnny_L.A)\ **Post date:** [February 18, 2026, 8:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-handle-my-layoff/1024867/299 "2026-02-18T20:25:14Z")
Drip coffee maker, backup drip coffee maker, Keurig, two French presses, two Vietnamese coffee makers, an old percolator (and maybe a camp percolator in the storage unit), and of course a kettle, filters, and urns. ---
**Author:** ![Johnny\_L.A](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johnny_l.a/32/1084_2.png) [@Johnny\_L.A](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johnny_L.A)\ **Post date:** [February 23, 2026, 3:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-handle-my-layoff/1024867/300 "2026-02-23T15:59:11Z")
I got a call from the local Post Office this morning. They are ‘ready to on-board’ me. My last day in my current position is supposed to be a week from tomorrow (3 March). It sound like they want me to start training the following Saturday. It sounds like I’ll be delivering mail one day per week (Saturdays), and Amazon packages on Sundays. As I demonstrate my abilities, I will be able to request more hours. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-handle-my-layoff/1024867.md?page=14) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-handle-my-layoff/1024867.md?page=16)