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Newbie to being laid off...

Golfanatic

The Biggest Newbie on CP
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Nov 10, 2008
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Does anyone know the answer to this question?

So my company offered me a 6 weeks severance and then is going to interview and possibly offer me another position within the company. If I turn down that offer, can I still receive the severance?

Thanks,
Darin
 
I am so sorry that you're going through this. I do not have the answers, but I would like to wish you the best of luck and send some good vibes your way. Think of this situation as an opportunity and not an end. The business world is really scary out there right now, examples like this just make me even more scared to leave college and head into the workforce.

Good luck Darin and smoke hearty this weekend.

-Aaron
 
Does anyone know the answer to this question?

So my company offered me a 6 weeks severance and then is going to interview and possibly offer me another position within the company. If I turn down that offer, can I still receive the severance?

Thanks,
Darin


Depends on how they structured the severance package. I would check with your HR department.
 
Yes, unless you signed something to the contrary, you should still receive the severance whether you take the job or not. I do agree with Alex, check with HR before you do anything.
 
First off I am sorry to hear about that and also wanted to send you some good vibes and wishes of good luck.

I would say that this probably a company specific issue and you should ask HR about it. I have seen issues like this with companies i have worked with and for go different ways, all depending on the company's policy.

Hang in there man
 
Do what everyone said above, but be absolutely sure to get it in writing. In fact, when you go talk to HR, if you're comfortable with it, tell them the deal, and tell them that you want it "in writing" that if you decide not to take this other job within the company that you'll still get your severance. If you are firm and up front with them they are less likely to give you an off the cuff and probably wrong answer. The severance package should contain some agreement that might spell out the terms of your severance and what, if anything, will void it.
 
Another thing I would ask is if you do take the severance and are rehired to another position, does the seniority clock reset to zero? If you have been at the company any length of time, that could affect vacation time, how far down the list you are if they have a lay off in the future, and possibly other benefits. Get as much detail as you can before making your decision.

Hope everything works out for you.
 
Hmm.

Having seen a few white-collar layoffs in my time, a vague promise to interview you for other positions after 6 weeks is really not worth a lot. If they were serious about shifting you somewhere else, your line manager would be out shopping you to other business units now. I hope that he/she is, because you need someone testifying to your skill and usefulness to get back in the door.

Think of your reputation as a depreciating asset. After a month and a half, your IOUs and goodwill, carefully built up during your time on the job, will be worthless. Your client and customer relationships will be worthless. Don't take that sitting down.

Talk to HR about the details (and don't forget to ask if 6 weeks is the best they can do - likely they have discretion to offer a couple weeks more and occasionally a whole lot more than that), negotiate a formal last day after you've "used up" remaining vacation and sick time rather than having it paid out as a lump sum (which should give you a couple weeks of paid job hunting while still on the books), ask for internal interviews to take place before your last day, rather than after. Try to negotiate continued access to the internal-applicant system, especially if you're at a large corporation, for a set period of time. Most importantly, leave gracefully. Your last impression is your lasting impression.

Then assume that once you're severed, you're done. Start living off your war chest (spending as little as possible, cutting expenses to the barest minimum) and start pounding the pavement immediately (clients, colleagues, etc), even while you're still showing up at your current job. Give yourself a weekend to get over it, then you have a new job: 8 hrs a day, minimum, finding a new gig.
 
Does anyone know the answer to this question?

So my company offered me a 6 weeks severance and then is going to interview and possibly offer me another position within the company. If I turn down that offer, can I still receive the severance?

Thanks,
Darin




Sorry to hear of this so close to the holidays. I hope it works out for the best for you and your family. It seems to me that if the company is laying you off and offering the severance pay for this reason, then that's your money. You should have the right to search for employment reguardless of the pay. I would think that whilst on the pay if they re-hire you in any position they would pro-rate the pay. I would get your head around the question and take it to the powers that be, what do you have to lose...after all they are only people just like you and me.. Good Luck :D
 
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