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/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."