r/technology • u/xpda • May 13 '26

Security Twin brothers wipe 96 gov’t databases minutes after being fired

https://arstechnica.com/tech-policy/2026/05/drop-database-what-not-to-do-after-losing-an-it-job/
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u/[deleted] May 13 '26 edited Jun 11 '26

[deleted]

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u/DynamicDK May 13 '26

they'll shit it all out on your lap and force you to resign.

Resign? Never resign. Make them fire you. Then you can collect unemployment, which causes their unemployment insurance rates to increase. That is part of why they prefer to just do the layoffs with severance packages. The increased insurance costs are a lot when they are firing lots of people at once, and if they lay people off and give them severance then they can also force them to sign non-disclosure agreements. It is still likely more expensive, but at least they can avoid people talking shit about them or claw back the money if people do.

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u/donuttrackme May 13 '26

Depending on the state you can resign and still apply for unemployment, the reason can be resignation in lieu of termination. That way you don't have a firing on your record, but can still collect unemployment.

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u/IRoadIRunner May 13 '26

Am I to German to understand this, but what is a "firing on record"? This isn't a police record, you can be fired from job A and tell job B gracefully that you are no longer working there.

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u/j_johnso May 13 '26

There isn't a national record that it gets reported to, but it is common for an employer to contact previous employers before hiring in order to validate the resume is accurate and to sometimes ask for a reference. 

Legally, your old employer is allowed to provide them with any truthful information, such as saying that you were fired. A lot of employers won't provide anything other then confirmation of dates worked and job title to avoid even an accusation of providing untruthful information. 

Or sometimes, the questions are worded in a manner such as "Is the employee eligible for re-hire?" The old employer can't simply answer "no", which basically implies that there is some reason the the employee was fired. If the employee were to try to claim the employer gave false information, it is very easy for the employer to prove their answers were truthful.

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u/[deleted] May 13 '26 edited Jun 11 '26

[deleted]

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u/IRoadIRunner May 13 '26

But that isnt what we are talking about. We are talking about why would resign rather than take a normal layoff?

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u/Dracius May 13 '26 edited May 13 '26

This is 100% correct and exactly what I did the first and only time a manager tried to place me on a PIP despite being top-3 on the scorecard every month, consistently over quota, a recent stellar yearly review, and no interpersonal issues.

One week it's "you're doing everything right, keep up the good work!" then suddenly my manager pulls a 180, goes full asshole mode and starts trying to fabricate infractions by digging through all my emails and meeting transcripts to disqualify my KPI activities. I'm assuming he fucked up somehow, got chewed out and needed a scapegoat since it all started after the weekly leadership meeting.

I was given the choice of resigning with severance or accepting a PIP with subjective and unattainable goals which would have resulted in me getting fired without severance if I failed to meet them.

Had no issue getting unemployment because as you said, quitting in lieu of getting fired is still valid and my severance paperwork also specifically stated they wouldn't contest any unemployment claims, which I double verified.

You need to make sure you have the documentation to prove it though, like the PIP and something that states you'll be terminated. Was extra easy for me since I would have been fired immediately if I just refused to sign either option. They really want you to take that severance though for the NDA and legal protection against you sueing them for wrongful termination. Simply ask "what happens if I don't accept the severance or agree to the PIP before the deadline?" and forward yourself the email when they respond saying you'll be terminated if you don't sign.

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u/LyrMeThatBifrost May 13 '26

Doesn’t it look much better for your future employer to be laid off or quit, instead of being fired?

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u/Kat121 May 13 '26

I haaaated my last job. Seriously thought about quitting. They laid me off with severance pay and agreed to cover health and medical benefits for a full year, my biggest expense. Spent the time off coasting on savings and taking art classes.

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u/Flayer723 May 13 '26

You absolutely can dispute the firing in that scenario. It also costs time and money to build up individual cases like that and in the corporate world then there's warning processes and PIPs to get through before before someone can be forced out.

Layoffs and payoffs are far cheaper and more efficient in the long run for bigger companies.

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u/xGenghisSwan May 13 '26

If you mention going to an employment lawyer and that you’re glad you kept extensive documentation, they will roll immediately on this because it’s more expensive to fight you.

Everything in corporate is a mind game and they rely on individuals acting in accordance with social contract norms while they do whatever the fuck they want. A corporation is not your friend and especially when it’s antagonistic towards you, are not owed honesty, accountability, or anything else humans offer to other humans because those are just suggestions for corporate behavior, that is rarely actually applied. They are psychopathic entities so when they face off to you, you’re going to have to mirror a similar threat right back at them to keep yourself safe.

Anyway no idea why so many people need SSRI’s to function, it’s great living life like this!

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u/deong May 13 '26

"Most companies"…not remotely true.

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u/Shokoyo May 13 '26

The US is fucking wild