# 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:** 3
**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, 9:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-handle-my-layoff/1024867/41 "2025-11-15T21:16:03Z")
You gotta go to the Settings app then to the notifications tab and find LinkedIn there. You can change your preferences from full on audio assault to nothing to any number of in-between settings. ---
**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, 9:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-handle-my-layoff/1024867/42 "2025-11-15T21:29:46Z")
Thanks. ---
**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 16, 2025, 12:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-handle-my-layoff/1024867/43 "2025-11-16T00:05:33Z")
If you’ll need a reference from your current employer, be careful of doing anything that looks at all underhanded. ---
**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 16, 2025, 12:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-handle-my-layoff/1024867/44 "2025-11-16T00:13:39Z")
It’s also possible that your current employer decides to offer to bring you back, perhaps in a better role. So don’t burn bridges. ---
**Author:** ![TokyoBayer](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tokyobayer/32/13989_2.png) [@TokyoBayer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TokyoBayer)\ **Post date:** [November 16, 2025, 1:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-handle-my-layoff/1024867/45 "2025-11-16T01:28:02Z")
> [@Mean\_Mr.Mustard](#): > > So, your position is that it wouldn’t be wise and also that it wouldn’t be an issue? I never said it wasn’t wise, I said it was not unethical. Don’t put words in my mouth. “There isn’t an issue.” means there isn’t an issue of ethics. I didn’t address the question of the wisdom of it. Others have addressed it better. ---
**Author:** ![Mean\_Mr.Mustard](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mean_mr.mustard/32/3865_2.png) [@Mean\_Mr.Mustard](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mean_Mr.Mustard)\ **Post date:** [November 16, 2025, 3:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-handle-my-layoff/1024867/46 "2025-11-16T03:22:13Z")
> [@TokyoBayer](#): > > Don’t put words in my mouth. I literally quoted your words. Anyways, back to the topic at hand. I apologize for the hijack. mmm ---
**Author:** ![Gatopescado](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gatopescado/32/5711_2.png) [@Gatopescado](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gatopescado)\ **Post date:** [November 16, 2025, 6:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-handle-my-layoff/1024867/47 "2025-11-16T06:28:22Z")
Start ‘mislaying’ staples, Post-It Notes and paperclips. ---
**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:** [November 16, 2025, 6:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-handle-my-layoff/1024867/48 "2025-11-16T06:56:31Z")
I once worked for a company that went belly-up. We were all openly looking for work. I got calls from potential employers of two of my employees looking for references. I gave them good references, and wished them luck in their job search. Unless you’ve signed some kind of non-compete, i can’t imagine there’s any problem with them finding out you are on the market. Do you searching from home not to keep it secret, but to keep it yours. You don’t want any of that info to disappear when your job ends. Getting laid off sucks. Best wishes. Spend time with friends and try to keep your spirits up. ---
**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:** [November 16, 2025, 7:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-handle-my-layoff/1024867/49 "2025-11-16T07:20:20Z")
First, sorry about this. But you might wind up better off. Many companies have to pay more for new people while giving current employees small raises. Keeping a job search secret is a good idea in normal circumstances. But not here. If your management is decent - and it sounds like they are - they are going to feel bad about this and are not going to be upset about you looking. I agree that you should use your personal phone, email and computer, if just to avoid losing information when they take the work computer. Linked in and company websites are fine, but calling your contacts is even better. Most managers hate interviewing - it takes time, and it is risky. They’d prefer to hire someone with a good word from someone who works for them. If you get an offer from a company who might want you to start before February, tell them about the retention bonus, and they may match it. $1,000 is pretty small change. It would be worth it for them to have you start early. Good luck! ---
**Author:** ![griffin1977](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/977dab/32.png) [@griffin1977](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/griffin1977)\ **Post date:** [November 16, 2025, 3:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-handle-my-layoff/1024867/50 "2025-11-16T15:23:07Z")
Sorry to hear that Absolutely update your linked in, and make sure all your contacts are in it. And definitely reach out to them. But only via linked in or your personal email. Using your current companies email or address book could be problematic ---
**Author:** ![PastTense](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pasttense/32/14550_2.png) [@PastTense](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PastTense)\ **Post date:** [November 16, 2025, 5:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-handle-my-layoff/1024867/51 "2025-11-16T17:48:01Z")
Have you also looked into self-employment? If so start now on a part-time basis. ---
**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:** [November 16, 2025, 6:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-handle-my-layoff/1024867/52 "2025-11-16T18:52:40Z")
> [@Johnny\_L.A](#): > > La Jefa is surely aware that I’ll be looking for another job, and may not be there until February. sorry for my “harsh” wording … but look at it this way: They do NOT need you anymore …, hence the severence … (my point being: it’s not that they NEED you urgently until jan 31st and then no longer, they do NOT need you - so let go of any falsly understood loyalty and do what is best for YOU … and do it starting today, and be ready to jump ship tomorrow). best of luck Al (been there, done that, have previsional lagoons to prove it 😉 ) ps: oh, and $1k as loyalty bonus is IMHO fork-you money ---
**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:** [November 16, 2025, 7:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-handle-my-layoff/1024867/53 "2025-11-16T19:11:47Z")
too late to edit: **add on Q: how do you read the “why do they tell me now that they let me go in 3 months?” …** why not sniper you at the last possible moment? … are they being friendly? (asking, b/c that seems quite unusual) ---
**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 16, 2025, 7:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-handle-my-layoff/1024867/54 "2025-11-16T19:12:00Z")
> [@Al128](#): > > my point being: it’s not that they NEED you urgently until jan 31st and then no longer, they do NOT need you - so let go of any falsly understood loyalty and do what is best for YOU … and do it starting today, and be ready to jump ship tomorrow 100% this. As a guy that took loyalty too far and let it burn me. ---
**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:** [November 16, 2025, 7:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-handle-my-layoff/1024867/55 "2025-11-16T19:12:55Z")
I am also a member of that club … ---
**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 16, 2025, 7:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-handle-my-layoff/1024867/56 "2025-11-16T19:21:03Z")
> [@Al128](#): > > **add on Q: how do you read the “why do they tell me now that they let me go in 3 months?” …** why not sniper you at the last possible moment? … are they being friendly? My data is complicated. Dozens or scores of different formats (both incoming and outgoing) things that are ‘noted’ in a spreadsheet, but only specified in my programs, non-data functions. They want me around to ensure a smooth transition. And I’m OK with that. It’s a good company, and our members (various businesses) depend on us. I wouldn’t want to hurt our members. Good company, but the current and the last president did not rise up through it like the earlier president did. I sent a message through LinkedIn to our Portland affiliate, asking if they have anything I can do remotely. I’ve sent my spreadsheet (with my contacts’ email addresses) to myself, and I will contact them quasi-_sub rosa_; first to let them know that my position is being eliminated, and also to see if they might have any positions (again, remote ones because I’m rather remote) or know of anyone in their network I might apply to. I’ve signed up with a temp agency, and I’ve applied for two local positions. I mentioned my part-time neighbour who works for Costco. It sounds like a nice company, and it pays well. He says I can use him as a reference. It’s not ‘what I do’, but it might be time for a change. ---
**Author:** ![carrps](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/carrps/32/2957_2.png) [@carrps](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/carrps)\ **Post date:** [November 16, 2025, 7:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-handle-my-layoff/1024867/57 "2025-11-16T19:38:55Z")
I was never laid off, but I came close twice. It’s scary and depressing. Take care of yourself! The second time, my department was actually outsourced (fulfilling the rumors from approximately 20 years earlier), I was about a year away from when I was thinking of retiring, so it worked out. I was only pissed because I felt that my manager strongly nudged me into declaring a retirement date, because (it came out later – but I’m sure she knew about it earlier) if you had officially declared a retirement date, you were ineligible for the severance package which would have been about 100K for me. ---
**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 16, 2025, 7:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-handle-my-layoff/1024867/58 "2025-11-16T19:45:01Z")
> [@carrps](#): > > It’s scary and depressing. Yes. > [@carrps](#): > > The second time, my department was actually outsourced When I worked for Big Multinational Credit Reporting Agency, my job (and others in the department – they have purges every couple of years) was taken over by an Indian company… ironically (fittingly?) named Tata. ---
**Author:** ![carrps](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/carrps/32/2957_2.png) [@carrps](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/carrps)\ **Post date:** [November 16, 2025, 7:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-handle-my-layoff/1024867/59 "2025-11-16T19:46:58Z")
Grimly ironic. ---
**Author:** ![N9IWP](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/n9iwp/32/3154_2.png) [@N9IWP](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/N9IWP)\ **Post date:** [November 16, 2025, 8:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-handle-my-layoff/1024867/60 "2025-11-16T20:00:26Z")
Welcome to the club. I knew I was going to be laid off in April of 2024. My last day in the office was October 14,2024\* – I spent a lot of my time training my replacements (took 4 people to do my job, though admittedly none are full time responsibilities). I was there 17 years and I was the newbie. My entire team got let go, and it was made at a high level – they did not know what we did\*\*. I am still looking for a job. I am currently (as in today) crunching numbers to see if I can retire (I am 59). I have had some phone and video interviews but no offers (and some ghosting) Good luck! Brian \* I had 6 weeks of “Garden Leave” where I was paid but wasn’t supposed to go into the office and only “finish current tasks” – I did help my replacements a couple of times \*\* Best example – one of my team members downloads USPS data and verifies our software handles it OK. This has to be done in the US. So they replaced someone who has done this (and related work) for decades making La Crosse, WI wages and replaced here with someone who has no experience (well, is an experienced tester), making silicon valley wages. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-handle-my-layoff/1024867.md?page=2) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-handle-my-layoff/1024867.md?page=4)