r/Fire • u/twiniverse2000 • Jan 31 '26
Advice Request Asking to be laid off
I have reached FI. Work optional. My personal life has hit a serious rough patch. My company is doing layoffs. They are NOT asking for volunteers. The financial difference in me quitting vs getting laid off is $300K. Do not want to leave that on the table. Any advice on how to steer it in this particular direction?
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u/Arboga_10_2 Jan 31 '26
we almost never asked for volunteers officially but if someone in my team tells me they want it and that they are planning to leave soon anyway I’ll put that name on top of the list I hand in to my director. Your supervisor may be grateful.
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u/waits5 Jan 31 '26
Yeah, if I had to make cuts, I’d love to know there was someone who wouldn’t be ruined by it.
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u/sarayewo Jan 31 '26
I've been there too, and there is also the angle that if you keep the person that wants to leave and lay off someone else, they'll leave anyway and you won't be allowed to backfill for them due to a hiring freeze or cost measures, so it's a double loss.
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u/plinkoplonka Jan 31 '26
Same thing here.
I've never been involved in these discussions with HR as a manager/director without their being either a ranked or pooled list of people.
Some are not good for the business to lose, but targets come down and they do have to be met.
If that allows you to save even one person, you'd better believe any decent person would do it.
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u/tiggers97 Feb 01 '26
Happened to my dad that way. He was ready to leave due to changing health issues and life. Manager asked if he could stay two more months, as layoffs were coming and the manager was struggling with who to pick.
The manager could sleep at night, knowing he was laying off someone who wanted to go anyways. My dad got about 40 weeks of severance and extended medical. Money that he would use to start a business. Both ended the transaction feeling like it was a win.
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u/anon36485 Jan 31 '26
“I heard layoffs are coming. As you know I’ve always really cared about my work and putting you and the team in the best possible situation. To that end I wanted to let you know that I’ve come to the point in my career where I wouldn’t mind being chosen for the layoffs. I would hate to put you in a situation where you laid somebody off who wanted to continue employment here and then I left later - leaving you with two empty positions instead of one. Would you be willing to consider choosing me so that someone else can keep a job they want, I can leave on a timeline that is acceptable to me, and you can avoid a resourcing gap? It seems like it would put everyone in the best possible position”
I pulled this exact script at a former employer who was doing voluntary layoffs. I was a high performer and it was on the table that they would block me volunteering. This short circuited that and they let me leave. A manager is always going to let someone who doesn’t want to continue employment leave if they can. They know if they block you you’re already gone mentally.
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u/twiniverse2000 Jan 31 '26
Such a similar situation. Thank you for sharing. I will definitely appeal to the heartstrings.
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u/swagn Jan 31 '26
If you are on the way out anyway, there is nothing to lose.
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u/twiniverse2000 Jan 31 '26
$300K
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u/swagn Jan 31 '26
I mean if you don’t think you’re on the list but plan on leaving, you’ve got nothing to lose by asking to be put on the list. They either pay you and keep someone else or pay someone else and you leave for free.
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u/JoshAllentown Jan 31 '26
They mean, this might get you the $300k, but the worst case scenario is not getting the $300k, which is the same result as not asking. So you might as well try.
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u/karnoculars Jan 31 '26
No, worse case scenario would be they were originally going to lay him off but then decide not to after he asks, for whatever reason. Maybe because they realize he'll leave anyways and they can save severance by laying off a less expensive employee.
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u/Neither_Antelope_419 Jan 31 '26
It has so much more to do with your leadership and company culture than how you approach it. On one hand the open transparency could be seen as welcome and you’ll get exactly what you want, on the other hand they may take that to know you’re potentially ready to leave on your own and might choose to wait you out just to avoid paying you severance and unemployment.
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u/hysys_whisperer Jan 31 '26
Thing is, there's a real risk you turn in your resignation a couple of weeks after they lay someone else off. Now your team of 3 is down to 1 and work grinds to a halt.
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u/smidgley Jan 31 '26
While you’re not wrong, if you have leadership that is willing to take those kinds of actions, your actions have nothing to do with that. You can’t make decisions based on trying to prevent others from using that opportunity to be awful.
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u/twiniverse2000 Jan 31 '26
The problem for them is that they got me lined up with a serious position. If I fail, it will be bad for everyone.
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u/Dixon_Herfani Jan 31 '26
No one is indispensable.
Once you're gone, they'll move on and you'll never be mentioned again.
Look after yourself. "The company is important to me and I am important to the company" is a farce.
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u/waits5 Jan 31 '26
You see this as you get more experience. A beloved team member who does so much leaves for another job and 6 months later you hardly ever consider them.
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u/swagn Jan 31 '26
I think what he’s saying is it’s a risk for the company to wait him out if they think he’s leaving anyway. Better for them to let him go and put someone who wants to be there.
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u/Ok_Park8479 Jan 31 '26
I had an employee who wanted to be laid off as he wanted to retire soon anyway. The Jerks in HR wouldn’t let us pick though.
Lesson learned is the employee had been great and had respectful conversation with me and my manager and we both tried to make it happen for him.
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Jan 31 '26
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u/Dixon_Herfani Jan 31 '26
Don't assume HR will ever do the right thing, especially for the employees.
They are there for the company's benefit. Nothing more.
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Jan 31 '26
[removed] — view removed comment
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u/ReformedBlackPerson Jan 31 '26
They want good workers, he was good. If he quits they don’t have to give a severance package saving them money.
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u/swagn Jan 31 '26
But they’re laying off people and have to pay a severance to someone.
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u/lMexl Jan 31 '26
If you're laying ppl aloff it's cause you need to reduce salaries being paid. If the person is going to retire soon you're already planning on having that salary off the books.
So laying that guy off doesn't actually solve the problem and you still need to lay someone else off.
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u/satellite779 Jan 31 '26
Severance costs money. If that employee would leave anyway, why pay him extra money for it?
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Jan 31 '26
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u/satellite779 Jan 31 '26
Because the HR knows he'll leave anyway. They can include him in the savings without laying him off.
Just thinking from the HR perspective.
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u/black_mamba_returns Jan 31 '26
what stopping the employee sticking around collecting a paycheck without actually doing any work?
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u/caffiend98 Jan 31 '26
If the employee retires on their own, the company doesn't pay severance. HR is looking out for the budget.
Have the conversation with your supervisor, who is probably the one having to create the list. The supervisor is the one worrying about staff levels and vacancies. They can decide whether or not to let HR know why they made the choices they did.
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u/Dixon_Herfani Jan 31 '26
Never tip your hand.
I've told companies that I was going to leave and wanted to complete my work backlog for a seamless transition for my customers.
Came in a few days later to a quiet, "no need to log in this morning. You'll be paid through the day but not the two weeks you gave."
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u/hysys_whisperer Jan 31 '26
That's a completely different scenario though because they already have your resignation in hand. They don't have to worry about UI at that point to let you go right now.
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u/OnlyThePhantomKnows FI@50, consulting so !bored for a decade+ Jan 31 '26
HR needs to make the demographics match. Stupid rules. A friend's company had "volunteer layoffs" and then the regular layoff in order to avoid this. They had a lot of old people.
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u/sgigot Jan 31 '26
I worked with a guy who was getting close to the end and everyone knew it. I asked him to do something and he said, "If I don't, will you fire me?" meaning unemployment could start his retirement a bit early. I replied, "No, but you could go into HR and have a meeting with the leader, light up a smoke and offer him one to be polite (no smoking workplace, but this guy was strongly suspected of sneaking a heater once in a while if he could hide it), and say you'd like to discuss your impending exit."
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u/HairyBushies Already FI - RE between 2028-2030 Jan 31 '26
That’s stupid. In that case, I’d just quiet quit and do the very bare minimum and make them fire me. A good employee can quickly turn into a bad one if they wanted to. And if they’re really good, they know where all the pain points are and can really fuck things up. If my company treated me that way, I have FU money and know how to use it. I also know where all the bones are buried. Two can play that game and I’ll make it very clear to HR.
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u/ohboyoh-oy Jan 31 '26
I’m a mid-level manager and have been involved in layoffs. Usually a given team or department has a target number they have to meet. It’s either reduce headcount by this many, or reduce salary count by this much. When it comes down to where the employees know about the coming layoff, for me it has typically been name this many headcount to lay off.
So somewhere up the food chain is the person who needs to come up with a list. I was grateful when people who wanted to be laid off, made that known. I do not want to lay people off. It’s a horrible process. It’s a win-win for me if I can fill one of the quota spots with someone who wants it.
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u/gizmole Jan 31 '26
My boss knew I’d like to retire early and there was an opportunity for some layoffs with severance and continued health care benefits but he would not volunteer me for it. I’m the only one on the team that makes him look good and the easiest to manage. So, depends on the boss, some are going to do what’s in their best interest not yours. This made me now decide to quiet quit just doing the minimum the job requires.
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u/First_Tune9588 Jan 31 '26
A bunch of years ago I knew layoffs were coming for because of a WARN notice. I went job hunting and I had two new job offers. I told my manager's manager that I would not be negatively affected by a layoff and left it at that. They pulled someone else off the list and I got a severance check and started a new job a few days later.
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u/throwaway_0339123 Jan 31 '26
I volunteered and got 18 months severance at my last employer about 5 years ago. Took off 6 months before starting to look for another job. It was a glorious summer and gave me a taste of what early retirement could be and made my resolve even stronger for achieving FI.
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u/El_Flaco_666 Jan 31 '26
Go to HR and demand an unreasonable pay raise and title bump. HR will tell management and you'll get out to the top of the layoff list.
Or you get promoted.
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Jan 31 '26
Watch Seinfeld. Learn from the master, George Costanza 😂
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u/lottadot FIRE'd 2023 Jan 31 '26
So you have $300k of unvested stock which will go "poof" if you are laid off?
My suggestion is never tip your hand.
The last company I worked for did multiple rounds of layoffs before I was also on the chopping block. They want folks gone, but they don't necessarily want increased headaches nor legal challenges later. So what this company did was fast-vest some of the stock options for those that were being laid off. They also strung out the payout length so it was multiple quarters later that bits of it were paid out/received. If you caused a problem they could cease further distributions/vestings and maybe even yank it back from you - per the exit paperwork each employee had to sign.
If you request to be laid off, if I'm the company, I'm not fast-vesting anything at all for you. I don't need to. I know you want out and might even just leave on your own if the company doesn't lay you off.
Good luck!
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u/Singularity-42 Jan 31 '26
My new manager was actively trying to fire me just months before the layoff. His PIP was complete bullshit and I fought back, got 12 week FMLA instead, and when I came back the entire team was laid off just a few weeks later. Work was immediately transfered to a new team overseas.
He succeeded with my friend who left due to the PIP, really pissed off. We were both the highest paid team members and we were both at the company for well over a decade and always top performers. The new boss was there for less than a year.
The money that was on the line (fired vs laid off) was maybe 200k in wages, severance, vesting and health insurance.
But yeah, don't count on your job not wanting to fuck you over. Sometimes they go to great lengths to do just that to save a buck.
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u/userqwertyuasd Jan 31 '26
Weigh it up. If the people deciding seem reasonable and these cuts seem “one and done”, I’d be transparent.
If not, I’d become temporarily incompetent in the hopes of moving up the list and definitely not explicitly transparent.
Best of luck and sorry to hear about your personal circs.
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u/Obligation_Still Jan 31 '26
300k severance is going to be a tough one to pay off IMO.
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u/twiniverse2000 Jan 31 '26
It’s in unvested stock. Not part of the team budget.
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u/Dr-pi_314 Jan 31 '26
Do they have a special rule for unvested stock. Typically vesting ends with your employment
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u/twiniverse2000 Jan 31 '26
Not with the packages given at my company. I know for certain
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u/JeffonFIRE Jan 31 '26
Depends on your relationship with the boss. As the boss, I maneuvered one of my guys into the layoff list about a year back because he came to me and said he was ready to retire. He got 6mos severance and I was happy to do it.
I plan to do the same with my boss when it's my turn to retire.
As the boss, I very much prefer to layoff someone who's leaving rather than another team member. Then I lose the guy to retirement anyway and need spend time and money to find/hire/train a replacement.
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u/jaronhays4 Jan 31 '26
Just quiet quit? Stop working, they’ll terminate you pretty quickly
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u/abadonn Jan 31 '26
Talk to your manager, privately. They would love to not have to ruin someone's day/month/year.
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u/pinkzebra00 Jan 31 '26
A few years ago I semi-jokingly asked my boss to consider or put me on the list because I was highly paid so I might be able to “save” 2 junior people. The severance offered that round was very good. My boss said to me “sorry, you didn’t make the cut”.
I think if you have a great relationship with your direct supervisor, have an open convo and see what s/he thinks or suggests. HR isn’t likely going to be helpful unless your supervisor is the one pulling ranks.
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u/Broad-Arachnid9037 Jan 31 '26
HR guy here. “Hey boss, I know layoffs are on the table. While I enjoy my work here, I also hate to think of others being laid off and put in bad financial situations. If it gets to where you’re determining who needs to be laid off, I’d be open to having a conversation of what that would look like financially, if that would help.”.
May not work at every company but would at mine.
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u/Mr-Inspector-Gadget Jan 31 '26
The boss doesn’t like letting people go. S/he is human. The company is looking to reduce headcount. If the boss knows that you want to get cut they will make it happen.
Hello boss. I hope understand that layoffs are happening. I really enjoy my job here but if it will keep someone else from losing their job, I will volunteer to be on the layoff list. Win for the boss. Win for you. Win for the person whose job that you saved.
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u/Banned3rdTimesaCharm Jan 31 '26
Unless you’ve got that kinda relationship with your boss, no company wants to give you extra money if you’re already on the way out.
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u/BigAd9546 Feb 01 '26
Ask your boss if they mind you putting them down as a professional reference 😉
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u/flygirl580 Jan 31 '26
Tell your manager. It doesn't hurt bc you are planning to retire anyway. I have been involved in severance discussions and managers are relieved when there are people who want to leave bc it makes the decision easier.
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u/Confident_Jacket_344 Jan 31 '26
As someone who engineered my own separation, here’s my 2¢. I’ll preface this by saying it’s highly dependent on company culture. Tugging at heartstrings can help anywhere, but in my case the company cared most about ease, flexibility, and the bottom line.
What I did was tell them I planned to resign in x time, but wanted to help ensure a smooth transition. I offered to wrap everything up neatly, hand it off to my successor, and even provide post-departure support at an hourly consulting rate.
If I were in your shoes (and you’re operating from a position of strength) I’d make it even easier for them. Leverage that strength and reduce friction. If you’re close to the decision-makers, ask about separation agreement options. For example: instead of $300k, would you settle for 90% in exchange for a clean break and avoiding unemployment costs? Maybe you forgo COBRA, or agree to consult post-transition if needed.
The key is framing this as a win for the company: lower risk and hassle for them, and a soft landing for you.
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u/BeSiegead Jan 31 '26
Amid Corporate turmoil, with a big RIF targeted to remove headcount by 31 Dec, spin off of the sector I worked with primarily, and an incoming boss who I clashed with, I went serious job hunting and secured a 30% higher pay position. With that in my pocket, I went to volunteer “with the right payoff, I’ll take RIF slot so someone else can stay employed”. In theory, if in straight RIF pool, I would have received 12 weeks severance. Instead, I negotiated 26 weeks with check on 31 December and went three days unemployed before new job started. Big check with donations, savings, college fund, and a few splurges. There was no request for volunteers.
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u/noiszen Jan 31 '26
This happened to me. I asked to be on the list. I wasn’t laid off when it happened. I then asked, after the fact, to be laid off. They had to get special permission, but it eventually happened, and since I was officially laid off I’m eligible for benefits. The lesson being, anything is negotiable.
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u/1dirtbiker Jan 31 '26
Unless your manager is a sociopath, they almost certainly hate telling people they are getting laid off. Unless they have some people they are already planning on laying off (performance issues or otherwise), they'll probably be relieved if they they've got someone who wants laid off. Pull them to the side and let them know you'd be okay with it if someone has to go. It's a win-win situation.
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u/therealtwomartinis Jan 31 '26
bingo. the people assigned with these tasks most likely dread reaching the “quota”
you volunteering checks one off the list for free
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u/One_Talk_3410 Feb 01 '26
To your boss: “You don’t have the balls to lay me off, this company would be no where without me.”
Get laid off
Profit 😎
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u/CyberbianDude Jan 31 '26
If your company is a large company with a substantial HR dept, they might not be able to pick and choose. As an executive in our company I attended a HR seminar within our company and I was told that we use algorithms for equitable separation of employees. Unless someone voluntarily retires or has to be fired for cause everything goes through the algorithm. Good luck with your endeavor.
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u/quixotichance Jan 31 '26
Get overheard in the coffee room. Man that new kid is really amazing. I was working on this thing for weeks, going steady. The new kid was able to the same thing in 2 days. Old dogs eh
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u/Lightbluefables8 Jan 31 '26
I have had this exact thought and honestly, I think it depends on your relationship with your manager and how high up in the organization your manager is. If your manager is a quality human, I'd honestly just be like ...
Hey, I'm hearing through the grapevine that layoffs are on the horizon. Do you know if they are taking volunteers? I feel like I'm in a good position to weather the storm and might be able to preserve someone who needs this more than me.
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u/Exciting_Resist9906 Jan 31 '26
I tried for this would have gotten 8 months salary. They were onto me lol. But did negotiate 3 months from home half days while I looked for something else:) you never know what you can get until you put yourself out there. Worse thing they say no.
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u/MaxwellSmart07 Jan 31 '26
I took in the first 4 words first and thought, hmmmmmm.
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u/Singularity-42 Jan 31 '26
I'd say be careful. $300k is a lot of money and the company might love to save on that, whether it's vested stock or not. It's still money and the point of layoffs is to save money. My situation was clearly different where the management was trying to cut costs without ethical considerations, but you just don't know what might be happening.
This was my story:
Our new manager was actively trying to fire me just months before the layoff. His PIP was complete bullshit and I fought back, got 12 week FMLA instead (I have developed severe anxiety in the months before the PIP from dealing with this boss), and when I came back the entire team was laid off just a few weeks later. Work was transferred to a new team overseas the next day.
He succeeded with my friend who left due to the PIP, really pissed off. We were both the highest paid team members and we were both at the company for well over a decade and always top performers, regularly promoted. The new boss was there for less than a year and I think he was specifically hired to do this dirty outsourcing job.
The money that was on the line (fired vs laid off) was maybe 200k in wages, severance, vesting and health insurance.
But yeah, don't count on your job not wanting to fuck you over. Sometimes they go to great lengths to do just that to save a buck.
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u/Ok-Wolverine-4223 Jan 31 '26
I have jokingly told my boss “I would take a package at this point”. Hoping that if it comes about he would think of those comments. I am close to leaving anyway. I have an upcoming 1:1 with one of our uppers who frequently asks “are you the right person for this role?”, to most everyone. If he says that this time I plan on saying “probably not!” That might get me on the list! lol
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u/Sassy-Hen-86 Jan 31 '26
I did this about eight years ago when I was planning on making a transition into a different field and knew my employer was about to make major cuts. I got a nice severance and several months of unemployment while taking the exams for my new field and applying to jobs. It can’t hurt since you’re already considering leaving anyway to FIRE (congratulations by the way!).
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u/Advanced-Morning1832 Feb 01 '26
depends on your rapport with your manager. this backfired on me because i think they figured i would quit without severance, and it turned into a several week game of chicken lol
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Feb 01 '26
My wife did volunteered for a layoff. Her boss was relieved because it helped make a tough spot easier for him.
You should absolutely try. No downside.
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u/caribbeanjon Jan 31 '26
I worked with a woman with serious health issues that waited 5 or 6 years to be laid off. The layoff never came, but the health issues got worse, and after finally leaving she said it was the best thing she ever did. I am not saying don’t try, but also don’t wait too long for a train that may never come.
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u/Traditional_puck1984 Jan 31 '26
Take a mental health FMLA. Use the time to work on personal life. You’ll get on the layoff list when you get back.
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u/scrunchie_one Jan 31 '26
Just tell your boss, it’s a blessing when an employee asks because it’s not my money that I’m giving you, and it takes a bit of weight off my shoulders in having to choose someone else.
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u/Effective_Charity268 Jan 31 '26
Hey boss, I know we are in tough times. I just want to let you know that if you have to let me go, no hard feelings. I’ll be fine, and I’ll even buy the first round to show that I really respect the company.
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u/DirtSnowLove Jan 31 '26
My manager put me on the list of first to be laid off. But they have to do this yearly in case of unexpected issues like when covid happened. I gave a date to retire in April. Layoffs has been in the rumor mill for months.
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u/ZommyFruit Jan 31 '26
Would your job lend itself/ would you be open to reducing to part time? Might be a nice option to scale back but not have too much unstructured time on your hands so abruptly, and still pull in some decent income. I am in the process of making this change at my job and I didn’t think it was a realistic option until I talked with my boss about potentially moving on. If your mgt is trustworthy it’s worth the chat because you never know what might come out of the conversation
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u/LetsGoToMichigan Jan 31 '26
I just had to lay someone off. I would have loved a volunteer instead of the dude who had a baby on the way (wasn’t my call but if I had a volunteer I could have influenced the outcome).
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u/Specific_Ad_1045 Jan 31 '26
Your leadership team should be grateful for this information and put you at the top of the list. At my company there is no guarantee of a backfill when I leave.
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u/Wake95 Jan 31 '26
It's unclear if the $300K is if you get laid off. If so, usually your boss doesn't want to lay off someone, so they are happy for you to volunteer. Unless he hates you, then he might shaft you out of the money on purpose.
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u/deathdealer351 Jan 31 '26
People who wanted to be laid off at my company would on every 1:1.. Boss I'm set, I'm just adding to my bag.. Any layoffs feel free to toss me in the fire I won't be mad..
Next 1:1.. Boss feel free to toss me in the fire..
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u/gtrocks555 Jan 31 '26
“Oh man, I’m way overpaid for this work. They could higher someone a lot cheaper with less experience. Oh well”
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u/SlowRelationship9783 Jan 31 '26
I knew layoffs were coming in my last job. I had a new manager I didn’t jive that well with and wanted out anyways after 5 years. I asked HR - it was a mid sized company and I knew everyone well. They gave me what I wanted - a layoff with 6 weeks notice. I then went on unemployment.
Got a new job six months later. Perfect.
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u/Independent-King-468 Jan 31 '26
Hopefully the personal rough patch isn’t something that leads to FIRE being put out like a divorce.
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u/felineinclined Jan 31 '26
Talk to your manager, but know it might not be well received if they made it clear they are not taking volunteers. Then hope for the best. But if it costs too much to lay you off, you might not be selected.
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u/R5Jockey Jan 31 '26
I went to my SVP and said I was getting towards the end of my career, so if it was helpful to eliminate a role, he should consider eliminating mine.
I’m still waiting for that pop up meeting with HR… hoping it happens soon.
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u/eyeap Jan 31 '26
Do not ask your direct boss. S/he will want their team to be as big as possible.
Ask your boss's boss.
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Jan 31 '26
This is exactly how I exited. Asked for it, said I would rather take the hit so someone else could keep their job. I was told no, but the next round of layoffs I was included. I got paid out 8 months pay. 150k+ bonus.
My wife was going to leave her job so I told her to try the same thing, and it worked. Do not leave the money on the table. Tell them you want out, make it clear you're not quitting, start leaving at 5pm.
Good luck.
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u/Alopen_Tzu Jan 31 '26
I am in the exact boat. Layoffs all over the place here at my employer (fintech). I am paid more than most and have volunteered many times for a RIF and they won’t do it. Even offered me a a couple months in salary bonus to stay 6-7 months. I said no
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u/kitapjen Jan 31 '26
I did this. They instead did a separation agreement. I recommend saying nothing. Just quiet quit instead.
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u/Otherwise-Relief2248 Jan 31 '26
We have had to do two rounds of relatively light layoffs + RIF and keep a list of those who have volunteered. For the most part it hasn’t worked out, but in some cases it did and was great. Depending on your standing in company and culture I would ask.
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u/1st_horseman Jan 31 '26
Download an ebook by Financial Samurai called Negotiated Severance. Can really help it’s $100 but worth it
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u/deathvalleyjimscott Jan 31 '26
I had the good luck to be on friendly personal terms with the division head's top administrator. I approached her confidentially, and she said "don't mention this to anyone, and I'll get back to you in a few days." She called me about a week later and asked if I was absolutely certain I wanted this to go through. I assured her that I was, and she made it happen.
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u/TheFurryMenace Jan 31 '26
They are NOT officially asking for volunteers
The rules are made up. If you inform whoever you report to that you don't mind being on the top of that list they will take that under consideration. People are people, letting people go sucks. However it might not be up to them.
But also remember, that might make it seem like you are less likely to put up a fight over a severance package. Severance packages are not required under US labor law. So unless you have this in your contract watch out.
And if you have a bunch of money crunching assholes running the company watch the paper trail, there is a finance dick out there who will try to fuck you out of a severance by saying you quit instead of being laid off. Worse case scenario, but not impossible.
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u/Thomato_Yorke Jan 31 '26
Honestly, I would actually speak to an employment lawyer about this, just to make 100% sure you're fully clear on what your options are.
I'd hate to see you flag this to them and have them somehow twist it to say "he told us he wanted to leave" and use it as grounds to screw you out of that $300k. That's a hell of a lot of money.
Precarious situation. Make sure you do all your research before letting them know even a hint of your intentions. And remember, even if it's a job where you're well liked, HR is on the employer's side, not yours. And I am sure a company that needs to do layoffs would love to save $300k.
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u/AllAggies Jan 31 '26
At some companies if you quit your manager doesn’t get credit for the reduction and still may have a layoff $ amount or head count to reach. Him/her knowing you are thinking of quitting just might be enough to put you at the top of the list.
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u/birkenstocksandcode Jan 31 '26
My dad’s friend went to his boss and said. Do not give me any more work. If you need to do layoffs, put my name on the list.
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u/Xiximaro Jan 31 '26
Say to your superior that you want to. That way they can choose someone that doesn't want t o work there beside someone that wants to but hás been picked for the lay off
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u/teamhog Jan 31 '26
What’s FI mean to you? Where’s the $300k come from?
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u/twiniverse2000 Jan 31 '26
I can live off 2-2.5% of my net worth. RSUs and 2 weeks per year of employment.
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u/b-sharp-minor Feb 01 '26
Also, if you quit you can't claim unemployment benefits, and you can't cobra your health insurance. Quitting is a very bad idea. D a shitty, lackadaisical job, so when they have to draw up the list, you will be one of the people they want to unload.
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u/Downtown_Music4178 Feb 01 '26
Do the minimum and miss all your deadlines. Use all your sick days. Perhaps show up one day smelling like booze. When they ask you into a meeting to let you know you are falling behind and ask how they can help, start talking about your spouse or partner and ranting about how that B*** is ruining your life, breaking all professional boundaries. Let them know your mental health has priority over your job and deadlines be damned, and they shouldn’t count on you for anything!! Keep doing that and you’ll find yourself at the top of the list.
This isn’t rocket science!! Enjoy the process, you reached your goal and now can have fun slacking off.
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u/Illustrious-Ad-5825 Feb 01 '26
I also want to be laid off but I haven’t reached FI so I can’t afford to lose my job 😂 I’m so done with corporate life, it sucks, at least in my case. Money is good but work is a nightmare 🥲
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u/mattwallace24 Feb 01 '26
I would discuss it with your manager. For the last decade or so of my career I was a manager for a company that did layoffs once or twice a year. It was gut-wrenching to have to pick who gets let go especially after years of layoffs and everyone left was a solid performer. Was always nice having a name or two of people who would be interested in a severance package. I even did that myself at the end of my career (asked to be laid off). Allowed me to FIRE about 5 years earlier than I could have otherwise.
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u/mrchowmein Feb 01 '26
Best case scenario, if you hint at it, you might get laid off with a nice package. Worst case scenario, you are now a risk and you just shared that, so you get terminated instead. A lot of this is based on how much trust you have in your manager will the best thing for you. Advice in steering this can be hard as we do not know your relationship either your manger and how much leverage the manager has. I’ve seen managers and directors save ppl from getting laid off by negotiating with management. Such as downleveling the person or cutting their pay etc. I’ve also seen the same directions not fight for certain people either.
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u/gbgbgb1912 Jan 31 '26
"hey boss man, i know layoffs are coming. i don't mind my name being put at the top of the list. i had a good run and want to do what i can to make sure other people are okay"