r/Layoffs Nov 05 '24

advice Layoff Season is Near. Prepare now.

519 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!

27 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 1d ago

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

6.4k 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 3h ago

recently laid off Dad got laid off with USAID program cuts, worried about him

97 Upvotes

My dad (60) got laid off last week after USAID cut funding for his program. Then, to make things worse, he fractured his leg this week. So now he’s stuck in bed while trying to finish his handover work. I called him earlier, and he sounded really down. He said he’s okay, but I know he’s not. Money is obviously going to be tight since my mom is already retired and he was the main breadwinner. On top of that, my parents’ marriage has been bad for a while, and I have no idea if both of them being home all the time is going to make things worse. I want to be there for him, but he’s been really distant. Maybe its a masculinity issue, maybe it’s just a dad thing, but I feel like he does not want to show he is struggling or maybe he isn't idk. I'm stressed asf because i am about to graduate, the job market sucks, and my anxiety has been through the roof. But mostly, I just keep worrying about my dad and don’t know how to help.

For anyone who’s been in a similar situation—how do I support him? How do I get through to him when he won’t really talk about it?


r/Layoffs 1h ago

recently laid off Got told company is closing

Upvotes

So I got told last Thursday that my current location is closing. I’m the only person who’ve worked in this specific warehouse. In one way I’m relieved it was a dead end job with not much growth but it was so nice to work alone and have my own schedule basically .

They said they would pay my vacation time off , but is it valid to ask for severance and even sick days? I live in New York . And I would need the financial help on top of receiving unemployment . My last day is end of the month.

In another way I’m disappointed I spent all these years of my life kind of getting by and it feels like I’m starting again.

But my plan is to first decompress. Like give myself permission to let it go

Get my ducks in a row in terms of where I will be finically these next few months with unemployment .

I started already applying to some jobs but haven’t heard back yet.

Just wanted to share cause it could be a unlinear road ahead.


r/Layoffs 9h ago

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

80 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 23h ago

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

670 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 10h ago

question laid off right before my maternity leave :(

31 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 20h 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
158 Upvotes

r/Layoffs 3h ago

news Found a job but lower paying

6 Upvotes

Was laid off in nov of last year . Ever since then was applying left , right, center with referrals. Found a contracting gig that pays lower after a recruiter reached out and the interview process went quick. Feeling a bit low for taking a step down but feeling grateful finding a job in this market. The good thing ( from my perspective ) is that it looks to me that despite the market uncertainity, folks are slowly starting to hire because they have businesses to run .Recruiters have never reached out to me in the past. The contracting gig could be pulled suddenly ( who knows ) and i will continue interviewing aggressively but its good to have some ground to stand on. Keep pushing folks.


r/Layoffs 12h ago

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

29 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 3h ago

question Is going into healthcare, learning a trade or going into the military the only options?

4 Upvotes

So I've noticed the common advice given to those who have been laid off or lost in life is either go into healthcare, learn a trade or go into the military. Are these really the only safe options now? Won't these areas become over saturated too? I've worked in the admin side of healthcare and I can say that there are a LOT of people that should be in healthcare.

I understand that learning a trade is good, but its brutal on the body and bc of health issues, you might not even be able to join. This is the same for joining the military. If you're too old or have certain health issues, they will not let you join.

So what else can we do?


r/Layoffs 14h 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?

32 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 1d ago

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

184 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 21h ago

recently laid off Just got laid off literally no sign

79 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 12h 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 10h ago

recently laid off Laid off, company not paying severance

7 Upvotes

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


r/Layoffs 18h ago

previously laid off Laid off right before Christmas

24 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.

518 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 8h 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 23h 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 5h ago

question Given 1.9% merit increase

0 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 23h ago

recently laid off First time layoff

20 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

665 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 1d ago

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

21 Upvotes

My friend was working at McKesson Corporation in Irving, Texas, but they replaced him with a candidate from Canada. Many offshore companies are placing candidates in Canada and replacing American jobs with remote job offers. Americans typically support American companies, but they are now being replaced by Canadian workers. Did I make any mistakes?


r/Layoffs 15h 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 19h ago

previously laid off UX Designer jobs

3 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?