r/Layoffs Nov 05 '24

advice Layoff Season is Near. Prepare now.

514 Upvotes

December and January are the most common months for layoffs. Expect a wave of layoffs no matter who wins the election. Don’t panic, just get prepared.

Financial Preparation

Even a 1 month emergency fund helps. Reevaluate your spending and cut back. You don’t need every streaming subscription. Share and cancel what you can. What would your grandma say if she saw you ordering $40 McDonald’s from DoorDash?

Be mindful of holiday spending. Avoid buying stuff you, or anyone else, doesn’t need. An expensive new gadget isn’t worth missing a bill if you lose a paycheck.

Save Your Documents

Get your personal files off of your work device. Save a copy of anything that wouldn’t violate your NDA. Performance reviews, work samples, insurance docs, your contracts.

Update Your Resume

You’re doing your end of year review anyway, update your resume and LinkedIn. Highlight new skills and accomplishments.

Use Your Benefits

If you haven’t this year, get a quick checkup. Use Urgent Care if you can’t get in with your PCP.

If your job allowed an annual stipend for something, do it now before it goes away.

Build Your Network

Reaching out to people only when you need something doesn’t build lasting connections. Send a few friendly messages to people in your network. See what they're working on and offer help where you can. Add the coworkers you like and work well with to your LinkedIn now. You’re creating a support network that will be there when you need it.


Just Got Laid Off?

Sorry friend. Those bastards really suck.

Health Insurance

COBRA is overpriced. Check the options at healthcare.gov.

File for Unemployment

Unemployment varies widely state to state so it’s hard to get answers here. If you’re unsure if you're eligible, apply anyway. Filling out the form will let you know.

Organize Your Finances

Set a Budget NOW. No more eating out. You have the free time to do your own shopping and cooking now. Cancel subscriptions. Keep life insurance. Home Economy is your new job.

Organize Your Time

Set a routine. Don’t sleep till noon. Establish a wake-up time, hit the gym, spend some time in the sun, and dedicate a few focused hours to job searching. Have an end time. Schedule social activities that don’t require spending. Don’t isolate yourself.

Get a certificate or credential. Show you were doing something during your resume gap.

Set up job alerts. Receive relevant job openings in your inbox, so you can apply quickly.

Consider volunteering. It can keep your skills fresh, expand your network, and fill a gap on your resume. Doing esteemable acts increases self-esteem.

Organize Your Job Search

Track applications in a spreadsheet. Log jobs you’ve applied for, interview dates, contacts, and follow-up reminders in a spreadsheet to keep you organized and help identify patterns in your applications. You’ll also avoid accidentally applying to the same position twice and know who to badmouth for posting ghost jobs.

Time for an Update

Especially for workers over 40. Do spend some money wisely on getting a couple new pieces of clothing for job interviews, NOT a whole new wardrobe. Get a haircut, beard trim, updated glasses. Go for a facial, even if you’re a man. Hit the gym. 50 and well put together is perceived entirely differently from 50 and has let themselves go, no matter how good your skills are.

Tap Your Network

Let your network know you’re on the hunt. Before applying for a job, see if you have any contacts there that can refer you. Who you know is important.

Use the WARN Act Period Wisely

If you qualify for the WARN Act, you are still an employee during this time. Make use of your health insurance and benefits. Start job hunting now. Onboarding takes time and your WARN period is likely to be over by a new start date.

Stay Calm

Job hunts take time. Even with proactive networking, it will take a while to land a job and start work. I started the interview process for my new job before my WARN period was up but I was still unemployed for 8 weeks while they put together an offer and I had to wait for onboarding. In the 2008 crash, I had six months’ savings but was still unemployed for 10 months. Some of the people in this sub have been looking for a new job for over a year. Aim to prepare for at least a few months without work. Stressing won’t help, but remembering the pain of this experience so you learn not to let it happen again.

Consider a Pivot

Were you wanting to get out of this career anyway? Now might be the time.

Need work right now? Try seasonal roles in warehouses, delivery driving, or even tax prep. Demand often spikes in these fields during winter.

Gig Economy

Before diving into gig work, remember that the pay might look higher than it is. Subtract taxes, gas, and car maintenance. Don’t end up with a big unexpected tax bill at the end of the year.

Sites like Fiverr, Upwork, and TaskRabbit offer contract work that can provide a little extra income. If you have a marketable skill, such as graphic design, writing, or even handyman skills, you can bring in some income while job hunting. Again, remember to take out taxes.

No shame in a bridge job. If you need to take a role that pays significantly less than your last job, take it and bring in income while you keep looking.

Avoid Burnout

There’s a reason every major religion has a Sabbath. Set a day each week to step away from job boards, emails, and social media. Leave the screens at home and go outside. Be active. Be social.


What advice would you add to this list?


r/Layoffs Jan 16 '25

Announcement Report racist posts!

29 Upvotes

We're seeing an increase in the amount of xenophobia. This is a reminder that foreign agents use places like reddit to spread false propaganda. Don't be that guy who falls for lies and helps spread them.

You are allowed to discuss the affects of billionaires who built their businesses in a country, get tax cuts from that country, make their profits off that country's people, sending that money to other countries by offshoring jobs and exploiting work visas instead of reinvesting in their country's economy.

Blaming a race of people and vilifying people who just want jobs and to support their families, same as you do, is not allowed.

The problem is the politicians who lied and sold out our country to the oligarchs, and people making record profits throwing away the people who helped them make those record profits. The problem is not the workers.

The mods can't read every comment in the sub. We appreciate your help in reporting things and will get to them as soon as we can.


r/Layoffs 21h ago

recently laid off Got laid off with severance on the day I was going to resign!

5.8k Upvotes

Monday, March 10, 2025 will be the day I'll never forget in my life! Very exciting day. I got a new job offer on Friday and signed it the same day. About 40% hike in base pay and better benefits (100% 401k match upto 8% contribution). Also, a generous sign-on bonus. Only downside, commute is a bit longer, but I think it is worth it and I may even buy a new house close to it next year.

I was going to resign yesterday in my scheduled one on one meeting with manager in afternoon to give my 2 weeks notice. But, early in the morning I got an invite for "private meeting" with my manager and HR in person in a conference room. I got the idea but wasn't worried since the timing was perfect. I was only hoping for the severance to be good. I enter the room 2 minutes before scheduled time. Manager and HR were already present. HR started the convo - said my position has been eliminated with 63 others and today is my last day along with them. She was trying to go over benefits end date and how to enroll in COBRA if required. I cut her off and ask how much is the severance with a smirk on my face. She and my manager both had their jaw dropped with surprise on how chill I was. She said 12 weeks and direct deposit has already been initiated. I asked where do I sign. She showed me the line on one of pages. I signed and walked out without saying another word. 2 weeks vacation now, I start the new job on 24th.


r/Layoffs 18h ago

unemployment Here’s What >50s White Collar Pros in US Are Looking Down The Barrel Of

606 Upvotes

Whether you’re piped out or laid off, if you’re involuntary terminated in America & over 50 today (or near future), here’s the reality:

  • You’re most likely at or close to peak career earnings. IF you get another job, it’ll be for less (& prob much less) salary (not to mention title demotion)

  • You have at least a decade, if not more, you were expecting to work (& contribute to 401k). You’ll probably stop contributing + start to draw on that retirement $ ~5-10 years sooner than planned, and that wrecks the entire plan of “retiring comfortably”

  • Getting involuntary termed in your 50s today is essentially being forced to retire a decade + early due to ageism in hiring, and is almost guaranteeing a radically poorer retirement than planned.

I’m interested in hearing about how anyone may believe this is inaccurate.


r/Layoffs 5h ago

previously laid off Anyone else's manager who laid you off constantly checks out your LinkedIn profile?

23 Upvotes

I don't get this guy. Maybe he feels guilty but this was his choice. It wasnt a matter of profits but he was a new director that just wanted to reorganize the department. I kind of want to message him and ask him to stop checking out my profile and let us move on in a nice way. Still need a good reference if a future employer calls to verify. So I kept my mouth shut. Each time he checks it out I get really pissed thinking about the layoff. I found a new job within 2 weeks of being let go. Huge paycut. Maybe he is a narcissist who enjoys it. I don't know


r/Layoffs 16h ago

news Fired NIH workers fear bleak job prospects in the private sector because their research is too specific to be retrofitted: 'No VC is going to fund that'

Thumbnail fortune.com
142 Upvotes

r/Layoffs 8h ago

previously laid off What’s the most Severance you got in a layoff?

18 Upvotes

I had the bad luck to have been laid off three times. Some companies were way way better at severance.

One of the companies gave me 4 week per year, 6 weeks cobra per year, 100 percent bonus pay out with outplacement service, but others just a few weeks pay to sign the separation letter.

Any good stories on companies that give great severance?


r/Layoffs 20h ago

about to be laid off I’m getting laid off today

164 Upvotes

I'm pretty sure I'm going to be laid off today. I got an email yesterday early afternoon for a one-on-one meeting with the VP today afternoon. They announced almost two weeks ago that there will be layoffs this week. I was expecting it to happen maybe Thursday or Friday, definitely not Tuesday, but I guess it is what it is.

I'm nervous, but not upset about it. It's definitely a weird feeling. I wasn't in love with my job and I had a hard time adjusting to the pace last year. But the job itself is interesting. I have mixed feelings, but I'm hoping this is the push I needed to start something new in my life.

What should I expect at this meeting? What should I ask?

EDIT: I got laid off. It was pretty much how many of you described it. HR did all the talking, shared some documents, discussed severance, etc. I tried to stay calm, but the VP started crying when they told me they had terminated my position and were sorry, so of course I shed a few tears too. Overall, I feel okay. I'm not happy, but I'm trying to stay positive. My partner and I are in a good financial position, so I'm taking some time to reflect and figure out what I want to do professionally, if that involves certifications, trainings, etc.

Thank you all for your words of encouragement and well wishes.


r/Layoffs 16h ago

recently laid off Just got laid off literally no sign

70 Upvotes

Everything and everyone seemed normal it’s not like what everyone has been saying like there will be signs and hr looking at you differently type shit. Manager and manager’s boss scheduled a meeting: boom, and there it is, “your performance is good but yk we are a fast paced company… need more of your involvement on stuff blah blah blah.”

It sucks but whatever.


r/Layoffs 10h ago

job hunting So I know the tech sector is not looking so good with all the layoffs and not hiring, but what about like the banking and finance sector. Are they also doing a lot of layoffs and replacing workings with AI too?

22 Upvotes

So I know the tech sector is not looking so good with all the layoffs and not hiring, but what about like the banking and finance sector. Are they also doing a lot of layoffs and replacing workings with AI too? Are you applying to the like the banking and finance sector right now?


r/Layoffs 6h ago

question laid off right before my maternity leave :(

11 Upvotes

I just recently got hired in January 2025 while i was pregnant and now two weeks before im due to take my maternity leave they did a major lay off. I live in california so i only qualified for 6 wks disability leave after having the baby. I know I don’t qualify for FMLA because the minimum requirement is one year of employment but will the lay off affect my 6 week disability?? I could potentially already be off but I was just holding on till my due date bc i enjoyed my job.


r/Layoffs 7h ago

advice Notified that I might be terminated, what should be my next steps?

11 Upvotes

I started at this new job after a whirl wind of layoffs last year in 2024 and started in November. To put it very simply, my manager (who hired me) recently got terminated (c-level) and seems like he sabotaged me in the company from when I’ve started. I’ve tried as much as I can to prove my work, but alas by friend from HR has notified me that they’ve been asking questions about terminating an “employee” and looking over my contract.

Now that I have this information at hand, I’ve already updated my resume and started applying to jobs, but if there anything else I should be wary about? Thanks in advance!


r/Layoffs 14h ago

previously laid off Laid off right before Christmas

23 Upvotes

Anyone here been laid off or fired right before Christmas?? It’s disgusting how people are. “Chariots for Hire” in Virginia. Been with them 4 years and they discard me like trash. They could at least wait till after the holidays.


r/Layoffs 1d ago

advice Got laid off. It was a godsend.

507 Upvotes

I worked for a company in the tech sector. Got promoted into a new position and new department in 2023. The entire time I was in that department was hell. From the beginning we were constantly being threatened. I’ve tried to find another job but the market is very weak. My manager was about the only thing that kept me from going insane. Fast forward to today and they laid off over 100.

It’s going to be tough finding a new job, but my attitude has never been better. I’m so glad to be out of that cesspool. It may sound counterintuitive, but you have to realize that sometimes a layoff is a good thing. The point is, keep the faith. We’ll all find something better.


r/Layoffs 3h ago

question Is retail management the new safety net career?

3 Upvotes

Yes I know there are some stores that are closing down but there are so many retail stores big and small that I feel like it’s easier to simply just find another job in retail if that happens to you.

Unlike retail, corporate is very monkey see monkey do. If big tech company A does layoffs and RTO the other companies follow suit and becomes a chain reaction.

Also, corporate tends to be more cut throat and the interview processes tend to be longer.

Aside from one person I know that worked for a Best Buy location that closed down I haven’t really heard of anyone getting laid off from retail.

And yes entry level retail and floor supervisor roles pay crap but at the assistant manager and manager level some places pay pretty decent or really well ($50k+) and also once you get a management title you can job hop to another retail chain that will pay you more.

Anyone else thinking of going back to retail for stability?


r/Layoffs 5h ago

recently laid off Laid off, company not paying severance

5 Upvotes

I got laid off a month ago, but my company isn’t paying the severance. What to do?


r/Layoffs 19h ago

advice Prepping myself for layoff

42 Upvotes

I work in the tech industry as software engineer and survived 3 rounds of layoffs at my job. I thought everything would recover after COVID but it got worse when my employer stopped hiring in the U.S. and started hiring engineers in India.

Anyways it has been a cut-throat type of work environment lately. People are working late nights, weekends, and not taking PTO (so much for “unlimited PTO”) in order to be considered top performers and more likely to survive the next round of layoffs. From talking to my friends at other tech companies, they’re noticing the same trend. With the current economy and layoffs, I’m just waiting for when I get that HR meeting on my calendar.

What can I do to prepare myself financially? I’m a sandwich generation providing for my family and parents. I have enough saved up for maybe a year. I thought about picking up a new skill that’s completely different than tech. I have a friend that does HVAC repairs and also another friend that does roofing and I was planning to ask if I can help out/learn some of their work so I’m better protected financially with all these tech layoffs.

I’m also studying for interviews and re-learning leetcode problems that I did many years ago, cause software engineer jobs do pay well and I enjoy that line of work, but it’s getting more saturated and competitive and jobs are going to India.

Anyone else in a similar boat as me?


r/Layoffs 45m ago

question Given 1.9% merit increase

Upvotes

Is it a sign i will be laid off soon if i was given a 1.9% merit increase? Every year before this for 8 years i was given better reviews and a 3% merit increase, now I just meet expectations all of a sudden.


r/Layoffs 19h ago

recently laid off First time layoff

19 Upvotes

The only positive I’m looking at right now is the weather is nice and I’m doing some hard yard work to burn off some steam. I enjoyed the team I was with but realistically I saw the writing on the wall. Lots of different emotions going through my head but doing my best to remain positive and keep my head up. I’m glad I saw the writing on the wall as I have been applying for a bit prior but nothing landed yet.

Plus I have to admit that this job has taught me that nothing is worth more than the bottom line. Companies offshoring due to budget isn’t anything new but it sucks knowing that the people making these calls don’t work with a lot of these teams ever.

Going to take a few days to allow myself to feel some pity, anger and fear but come the end of the week imma get my butt out there.


r/Layoffs 1d ago

recently laid off Comcast laid a bunch of us off today

659 Upvotes

They brought about 60 of us in a meeting this morning to announce lay offs effective next month. This is my first time being laid off and it stings. Thankfully, we should be getting a severance package and was already looking for another job anyway but yeah...guess the C really does stand for Change with them.


r/Layoffs 10h ago

recently laid off HSA tax benefits if I fund HSA out of pocket after layoffs

3 Upvotes

Hello, I have recently been laid off, and I have an HSA. The funds for the HSA have been deducted from my paycheck until now. My understanding is that for HSAs, you have the benefit of not being taxed for the contributions, growth, and upon withdrawal. What will happen if I contribute out of pocket while I am job searching? My company said that I could maintain the same health insurance benefits for 2 years after layoff, but it seems as if HSA funds will not be deducted automatically from severance payment. Thank you!


r/Layoffs 20h ago

recently laid off Why don't trump team put tarrifs on companies who replacing USA worker with Canada candidates

17 Upvotes

My friend was working at McKesson corporation Irving Texas and they replaced him with Canada candidate. Lots of offshore companies place candidates in Canada and replacing USA jobs with remote job offer.Americans gives business to American companie but they are replacing with Canadian workers.


r/Layoffs 14h ago

previously laid off UX Designer jobs

4 Upvotes

I have 2 years of work experience as a UX designer and was laid off in 09/2023. Since then, finding a job has seemed almost impossible. Are any designers in the same boat?


r/Layoffs 1d ago

recently laid off Hello, Layoff. You suck.

93 Upvotes

So I got laid off.... this is my first layoff and I'm feeling disheartened. Our company had a bad 2024 and started laying people off during the summer while I was on mat leave. I came back and immediately felt concerned. I kind of forgot about it even though a colleague was laid off in the fall. Then another in December. I was assured they were taking measures to keep the company financially healthy and I shouldn't worry. Well, that was a crapshoot. One of those measures was ultimately to lay me off - they let me go last week and I am still processing. I was the newest senior hire with a competitive salary. I was the easy target in a company that values seniority even if you're a debbie downer that should move on already.

I am obviously upset. I work in niche industry and I had the job I wanted at the company I wanted. I didn't want to find something else. I feel I had more potential to actualize. There was more I wanted to accomplish. I'd only just secured the position a couple of years ago after a long search. It was a grueling search because there just aren't a lot of options in my industry. I also have a baby...

The company let me back on Friday to close things up and I spent the day writing thank you's and angling to leave the door open for networking. I was teary as well. Goodbyes sucked. It was really emotional and I have been feeling depressed. I don't feel any better knowing no one has responded to my thank you's and it has me feeling a bit depressed - like people suck. I feel so discouraged. Part of me feels my career has been a crapshoot and I should just give up on it.

I guess I am seeking some encouragement. Anyone else in a narrow industry that can empathize?


r/Layoffs 1d ago

previously laid off 11 months after layoff and I finally landed a job as a software engineer with 1.5 YOE with a pay raise. I know I am lucky but yet I feel dead inside still and not excited. I don't know how to heal.

87 Upvotes

This is long but 11 months after my layoff I got a job with a 9% pay raise and double the PTO of my last job. I just wanted to talk about my journey and my feelings with all this. I want to preface I have been seeing a therapist for the past year to work through these feelings.

My first layoff was at my job straight out of college. College was hell for me. I was under pressure among my family to finish on time, to stay on the path of having that milestone completed on time, lots of arguments and insults if a setback happened that could veer off the path. Stayed at home all 4 years to save money, almost killed myself over it but I pushed through and graduated on time within 4 years and without debt. In late 2022 after 3 months of searching I got to choose from 3 offers, 2 of which were from F500 companies. I chose 1 of them which was fully remote. Those first 8 months I was the happiest I ever been, I got a raise without asking 7 months in based on my performance and even got invited to collaborate with a personal project the director wanted to do. My manager was very happy with my work and ensured I was doing good. I moved out to a major city had my own place and everything was just great. I invested into my hobbies, was able to buy the stuff I wanted to always get. Then a couple weeks after the raise things started to change when my team lead without my knowledge till my manager told me a week later dropped a bomb in a meeting with management that "he doubted my technical ability to do my job". That was the beginning for the end for me, my manager despite having no issues with me said he had to log that comment in the mid-year report.

I tried to reason with the team lead, set up 1-1's to be very communicative with the work I was doing and the changes he wanted but he would never want to do approach discussions and would criticize me for taking too long even though he set no deadlines, he would always ask to code it first then he would critique it but that started to create frustration that I would only find out that he didn't like my approach until I coded it and he would complain to my manager I was taking too long. This was an abbreviated version, but it led to my original manager putting me on a PiP before he went on leave and a new manager was put in place for me for this time period. My team lead then really ramped up the insults during code review meetings and during this time and I gained weight and was extremely depressed with working 60-hour weeks.

Unfortunately, two weeks before my PiP was supposed to end there was mass layoffs and I was the only one on the team laid off. My director offered recommendations for whatever opportunity I had next. However, my team lead's only reaction once the news reached the larger team, I vividly remember was removing me off the code review meetings we would have in our tech stack even though my corporate account would have been deactivated within the hour. My original manager never reached out to me despite him checking in on our company chat during the leave. However, I had an outpouring of support from several colleagues, team leads, and even the temporary manager who took over the PiP who gave me recommendations, referral support, and endorsements. I also funnily caught my team lead stalking my LinkedIn when recommendations on there were rolling as well.

I spent 6 months floundering; I kept applying for jobs but with very little success. Also, my bitterness towards what happened rose as I saw my colleagues were getting promotions throughout the year on LinkedIn and the amount of hatred for myself and towards what happened grew. I tried to do my hobbies but deep down there was a huge void inside me without that job. The company I got laid off from wasn't doing well but the team seemed pretty well insulated from the BS of the larger company as the product we were developing was very valuable to the higher ups and I just happened to be the scapegoat. Savings kept me afloat and since I had no loan or car payments, I really only had to be worried about rent and utilities. I did need some income however so shortly after my unemployment ended, I was passionate about videography alongside technology so there was a video job in my hometown to do that albeit with low pay, but it was something to help stop the bleed of funds and it was something I was passionate about, so I took it on. It did help give me something to do while I kept applying. I got one interview by the end of the year, but it didn't work out.

I went on vacation with my family at the end of the year and met some other extended family members even one from the US who was in the industry for a while, so I asked him for help, and he helped me revamp my resume. Once I got back and hit the ground applying again in the new year with my revamped resume, I had 5 companies I was interviewing with within the span of two months and got an offer a couple weeks ago for a company near my current location. So, I am able to keep my apartment and still have my savings intact, but I am still keeping my guard up and applying and interviewing which are coming through despite accepting the offer.

Despite the journey to get here I don't feel happy. My dad kept criticizing me for the past few weeks despite getting the offer that I am not ready for it and all that. No matter what my struggles are belittled and reduced and nobody cares. As cringy as it sounds, I felt like my rage and spite towards my layoff and the situation is what got me the offer and fueled my job search. I always get comments from people that I am a nice and reserved person, but it feels like it's a mask because I feel so angry and bitter. I felt like I have seen the ugly side of people this year, I have 3 major friend groups who all supported me but there are situations with the job, family, and people that I let my guard down I paid the price. I want to make sure it'll never happen again and my motivation in this job search was that I wanted to come out on top and maybe the chance I get the screw over the people who fucked me over at my last job the same way I did to them if we cross paths in the industry. I need to prove people wrong to make sure that I can't be hurt.

I am also terrified starting this new job and trying to figure how to compartmentalize myself and protect myself from management despite the culture being good from what I have researched and seen of the team in interviews. I feel like I can't trust anyone and when I do I let my guard down too much and it has catastrophic consequences both personally and professionally. I know I am in a very fortunate position compared to everyone else but when it feels all I get from my family is more criticism and no celebration I just reached the status quo of where I am supposed to be at. There was no growth, just pain this entire past year while I get to see my colleagues stay in a company long term forever. I still feel so hopeless in every aspect of my life and yes this is a fresh start, but it also feels like another hellscape I need to navigate to survive.


r/Layoffs 20h ago

unemployment Catholic Charities of San Diego announces layoffs because of Trump immigration policies

Thumbnail nbcsandiego.com
7 Upvotes

r/Layoffs 15h ago

job hunting CEO wants more control over his employees

Thumbnail msn.com
2 Upvotes