# 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:** 2
**Author:** ![msmith537](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/d9b06d/32.png) [@msmith537](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/msmith537)\ **Post date:** [November 15, 2025, 4:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-handle-my-layoff/1024867/21 "2025-11-15T16:55:46Z")
> [@Johnny\_L.A](#): > > I am being offered ten weeks’ pay and unused PTO (I should have around 90 hours by February). If I do not leave before February 5th, I’ll get a $1,000 retention bonus. That blows. 2 weeks severance per year work is usually the standard, which for you would be like 38 weeks worth. I’m not really sure what you are asking about “ethics”. Your company is eliminating your position of 19 years and giving you a bullshit severance package. What ethical obligation do you believe you owe them besides doing the bare minimum work for the next couple of months and not committing any criminal acts or contractual violations against them while you focus on looking for a new job? I would start reaching out to your contacts now, even if you plan to take a bit of a break. Don’t worry about your president or former president seeing your announcement on LinkedIn. He knows your getting laid off. If he doesn’t like it, tell him to go fuck off. I just don’t know how effective those broadcasts are. I don’t think it hurts either. So I don’t know. ---
**Author:** ![SunUp](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ea5d25/32.png) [@SunUp](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SunUp)\ **Post date:** [November 15, 2025, 5:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-handle-my-layoff/1024867/22 "2025-11-15T17:01:29Z")
> [@Johnny\_L.A](#): > > I am being offered ten weeks’ pay and unused PTO (I should have around 90 hours by February). If I do not leave before February 5th, I’ll get a $1,000 retention bonus. Consider asking yourself this: how much would it be worth to you to have your next job lined up right now, so that you could immediately jump into it as soon as you give your notice? If that’s worth more than a $1000 to you (as it would be to me), then the “retention bonus” should not have any relevance to the question of your job search. It’s nice if it runs into February and you haven’t gotten any hits on a new job, but IMHO it should provide no incentive for you to stick around after you’ve lined up something new. ---
**Author:** ![Dewey\_Finn](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dewey_finn/32/4222_2.png) [@Dewey\_Finn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dewey_Finn)\ **Post date:** [November 15, 2025, 5:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-handle-my-layoff/1024867/23 "2025-11-15T17:08:54Z")
A thousand dollar retention bonus doesn’t seem like very much to me. And rather than going to LinkedIn, I think you may want to just mention to your contacts at those companies that you’re considering a career change. Perhaps not even mention that it’s a layoff, and definitely don’t show any bitterness. ---
**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:** [November 15, 2025, 5:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-handle-my-layoff/1024867/24 "2025-11-15T17:30:26Z")
> [@Dewey\_Finn](#): > > A thousand dollar retention bonus doesn’t seem like very much to me. It doesn’t sound like much to me, either. Just to be clear, I _am_ applying for jobs. I’m just not sure when I can reach out to our members. ---
**Author:** ![Dewey\_Finn](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dewey_finn/32/4222_2.png) [@Dewey\_Finn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dewey_Finn)\ **Post date:** [November 15, 2025, 5:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-handle-my-layoff/1024867/25 "2025-11-15T17:33:53Z")
I think you should start immediately but quietly, like during phone calls or in-person meetings. If you get an offer to start sooner than February, that’s great. Your company’s loss and your gain. Depending on your state laws they may still have to pay out the unused PTO even if you leave earlier than February. ---
**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:** [November 15, 2025, 5:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-handle-my-layoff/1024867/26 "2025-11-15T17:45:24Z")
> [@Dewey\_Finn](#): > > Depending on your state laws they may still have to pay out the unused PTO No, I looked it up. They don’t have to in Washington. ---
**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:** [November 15, 2025, 6:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-handle-my-layoff/1024867/27 "2025-11-15T18:02:32Z")
You’ve mentioned your former boss positively. Can she bew helpful in sorting out the ethics? I don’t want you to get caught in something that would let current boss/HR kill any aspect of your severance beyond that $1000, or wreck your reputation. ---
**Author:** ![CaveMike](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cavemike/32/16379_2.png) [@CaveMike](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CaveMike)\ **Post date:** [November 15, 2025, 6:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-handle-my-layoff/1024867/28 "2025-11-15T18:03:28Z")
February is not that far away. The company should expect you to be looking, including clients and members. I’ll echo some of the other comments: use your personal email, computer, phone and reach out to clients on your own time. I would start with a quality over quantity approach and seek out places where you have the best relationships and reputation. This will keep you focused on doing a really thorough job with each potential opportunity. IME recently people are getting jobs where they have a personal connection of some sort. Always be extremely positive and try to leverage your understanding of your current job as a way for the new company to save time or money. It’s a miserable time getting let go and looking for something new, but in my personal experience as well as my friends’ experience it very often results in a better situation. Try to keep that as motivation while grinding through the job hunt. > [@Johnny\_L.A](#): > > No, I looked it up. They don’t have to in Washington. That’s really unfair since a company can also prevent you from taking it. ---
**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:** [November 15, 2025, 6:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-handle-my-layoff/1024867/29 "2025-11-15T18:14:22Z")
> [@susan](#): > > You’ve mentioned your former boss positively. Can she bew helpful in sorting out the ethics? > Yes I think you should send out a notice to your contributors. Say good bye and how much you enjoyed working with them and thank them for their continued loyalty as contributing members of [company]. Let them know that your data management/processing and verification position has been eliminated. If they have any questions or concerns they can contact [La Jefe] your president or [El Jefe] CEO of [company] directly. Apply everywhere you can and let [La Jefa] know if you get a job you might not be there until Feb 5. I don’t think I’ll stir the pot by suggesting they contact TPTB. La Jefa is surely aware that I’ll be looking for another job, and may not be there until February. ---
**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:** [November 15, 2025, 8:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-handle-my-layoff/1024867/30 "2025-11-15T20:09:03Z")
I’ve been laid off a few times in my career, and I’ve had to lay people off a few times. I’ve got a fair amount of experience on both sides of that particular fence. One of the things that I learned after my first significant layoff was that my dedication to the company and to seeing the transition through ultimately meant nothing. I think unless an employer puts significant retention money on the table, or if you have an idea that a sabbatical is what you would really prefer, the moment you find out a layoff is coming you go balls to the wall on the job search. I would flip the toggle on LinkedIn that puts the “open to work” banner on your page immediately. And I would start working contacts next week. I don’t want to sound belittling, because I sympathize 1000%. And I don’t know what kind of financial stress your company is going through either. But that retention offer is not on par with what it should be for you to put your future on hold. Borderline offensive - I’m angry on your behalf. ---
**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:** [November 15, 2025, 8:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-handle-my-layoff/1024867/31 "2025-11-15T20:15:23Z")
> [@Pork\_Rind](#): > > I would flip the toggle on LinkedIn that puts the “open to work” banner on your page immediately. I thought I turned that on, but I don’t see the green circle on my picture. In my profile I see a blue-shaded rectangle with: ### **[Open to work](https://www.linkedin.com/in/john-woods-932263119/opportunities/job-opportunities/details?profileUrn=urn%3Ali%3Afs_normalized_profile%3AACoAAB1nZ3YBiIwTOZ5Bljbvw4BAkyxMgzwJNpI&trk=opento_sprofile_details)** [Data Management Specialist roles](https://www.linkedin.com/in/john-woods-932263119/opportunities/job-opportunities/details?profileUrn=urn%3Ali%3Afs_normalized_profile%3AACoAAB1nZ3YBiIwTOZ5Bljbvw4BAkyxMgzwJNpI&trk=opento_sprofile_details) [Show details](https://www.linkedin.com/in/john-woods-932263119/opportunities/job-opportunities/details?profileUrn=urn%3Ali%3Afs_normalized_profile%3AACoAAB1nZ3YBiIwTOZ5Bljbvw4BAkyxMgzwJNpI&trk=opento_sprofile_details) ---
**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:** [November 15, 2025, 8:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-handle-my-layoff/1024867/32 "2025-11-15T20:35:34Z")
Yeah, I don’t see any of the usual “open for work” stuff on your page ---
**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:** [November 15, 2025, 8:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-handle-my-layoff/1024867/33 "2025-11-15T20:36:49Z")
I really don’t know how to use LinkedIn. There’s got to be something I’m missing. Either that, or you only get it if you have a paid membership. ---
**Author:** ![liirogue](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/dbc845/32.png) [@liirogue](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/liirogue)\ **Post date:** [November 15, 2025, 8:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-handle-my-layoff/1024867/34 "2025-11-15T20:37:46Z")
I’m sorry you’re going through this - layoffs are terrible, and the time of year makes it even worse. Don’t get discouraged if there aren’t a lot of nibbles on any of your applications right away. Hiring seems to almost grind to a halt between now and mid-January. Also, I’ve read suggestions that LinkedIn is a good website to find jobs but that you’re better off going to the company’s website and filling out the application there instead of through LinkedIn. Since you haven’t hunted for a job in a while, may I suggest checking out [AskAManager.org](http://AskAManager.org). She’s got great tips on [job hunting, resumes and cover letters](https://www.askamanager.org/2024/05/need-help-finding-a-job-start-here.html), and I find her advice to be level-headed and realistic. On a personal note, please take care of yourself. Being laid off absolutely rocks your world. I was laid off after 10 years at a company and really struggled with my sense of self-worth, anger, disappointment, and feeling rejected. Logically, I knew layoffs were coming and there was a chance I was on the list, but my emotional side just needed a minute to process, throw a temper tantrum, and come to terms. And the thought of starting a new job after 10 years was scary - I can’t imagine how it must feel after double that! ---
**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:** [November 15, 2025, 8:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-handle-my-layoff/1024867/35 "2025-11-15T20:41:24Z")
I don’t have a paid membership, and under my picture on my profile there is a button labeled “open to”. When I select that it, asks me what I might be _open_ to; looking for a job, hiring volunteering, etc. Once I’ve clicked “finding a new job quote, it gives me a whole bunch of options, limiting what I’m interested in. [![](https://i.ibb.co/4wF7ysZP/IMG-0251.jpg) ](https://i.ibb.co/4wF7ysZP/IMG-0251.jpg) ---
**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:** [November 15, 2025, 8:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-handle-my-layoff/1024867/36 "2025-11-15T20:42:51Z")
Yes, I did that a couple of days ago. ---
**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:** [November 15, 2025, 8:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-handle-my-layoff/1024867/37 "2025-11-15T20:50:45Z")
But there must be something wrong because when I look at your profile, none of the open to work badges appear. ---
**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:** [November 15, 2025, 8:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-handle-my-layoff/1024867/38 "2025-11-15T20:53:31Z")
OK, I switched from Recruiters Only to All LinkedIn Members. I have the circle. ---
**Author:** ![OldOlds](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/a3d4f5/32.png) [@OldOlds](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/OldOlds)\ **Post date:** [November 15, 2025, 8:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-handle-my-layoff/1024867/39 "2025-11-15T20:54:47Z")
I think so. I definitely would. Start with the people you think you have an actual friendship with. It’s unlikely that one of these people would sell you out. Why would they? ---
**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:** [November 15, 2025, 8:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-handle-my-layoff/1024867/40 "2025-11-15T20:59:20Z")
Ugh. Now I’m getting notifications on my phone from recruiters. I don’t like people using my phone. I’d rather log into LinkedIn to see what’s there. I turned off Live Activities, Background App Refresh, and Cellular Data in the LinkedIn app on my iPhone. We’ll see how that works. Edit: It didn’t. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-handle-my-layoff/1024867.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-handle-my-layoff/1024867.md?page=3)