How do I get laid-off?

Question

My company is probably like many others out there -- struggling. They have done one round of layoffs, but I did not make the cut.I want to help them help me - by laying me off - but how do I do it?I mainly just don't want to be completely reckless by quitting. I'm financially secure-ish, and I'd like to keep it that way. So, some type of severance package or unemployment insurance at least (which I cannnot get if i just quit), would be nice.Do I just ask my manager, "Hey, can you lay me off?"Outside of that, I could just use a break, there's nothing much new going on at work, etc.Thanks for any thoughts.

Jemaclus · Accepted Answer

Hiring manager here. The market is really tough right now for finding new jobs. If I had a job that was "fine" and "meh", I'd take that boring safety over the risk of being a candidate in this market. The market isn't the same as it was six months or a year ago, when engineers were in crazy high demand. Right now there are a bajillion people looking for jobs, and few companies are hiring like crazy.You may be financially secure-ish now, but consider what your financial situation might be if you are unemployed for 12-18 months. That might be too long, even with a few months worth of severance.If you're just bored, I would ride it out until the market stabilizes a bit.That said, if you trust your manager, then as others suggested, you can casually express that if there's a future round of layoffs, you are open to being considered.I wish you the best of luck.

rossdavidh · Answer

Depending on the company and country, they may or may not be able to do this. For example, I have been told (and IANAL) that in the U.S. if you ask to be laid off you don't get unemployment benefits.Just start looking. "My company is having layoffs, I wasn't in the first one but it seems like things are not stable" is a perfectly acceptable reason to give your prospective new employer for wanting to move on, and it's always easier to interview when you aren't unemployed yet (easier to feel relaxed).

dangus · Answer

It would really be nice to have this work, and maybe sometimes it will work by having a discreet conversation with a trusted manager. But that's not a sure-fire thing. For all you know they're done having layoffs.
Another idea, you could see if the company might be open to an unpaid sabbatical.
The only sure-fire solution in my mind is to get another job, and the way to make that into a break is to set your start date later. Most employers don't even mind a start date that's around a month into the future.

uptown · Answer

Ask if they&rsquo;re looking for volunteers in the next round of layoffs.

999900000999 · Answer

Tbh, I'd just slack off. Don't tell anyone at work you want a pink slip, that can work against you when applying for UI. Also mind UI won't let you travel internationally, since logically your not exactly looking for work.

remembermylo · Answer

I had a job that wasnt a great for me, about two years into it i paid off all my debt and was hoping to make a career pivot to get into software development.
I just started taking longer lunches, was always polite and civil, but stopping making effort to communicate with directors when we were in the same room together.
Eventually, i was included in the layoff!

warrenm · Answer

Gonna depend on your jurisdiction ... my dad years ago told his manager when he was retiring to help out the rest of his team (he was retiring in 6 mos, but with rumors of layoffs coming, he was "volunteering" to be let go "early") - the layoffs ended up not happening, but he was fine being one if they didSome companies'll ask [informally] if anyone wants to be considered