I know a few people who are praying to be laid off in the next round so they can collect severance and leave Honeywell for good. They don't have another job lined up, they're not even looking yet because they believe severance will give them enough security to relax for a while and then search for a new job without stressing. That's the part I don't understand. With a mortgage, healthcare, and all the other expenses (including higher taxes,) how long can a severance last? Is it really enough to make you not stress about money despite having no job?
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- .. I think you mean 1972
Stress doesn't add anything positive in your life so why bother?
I'm also on the "hoping to get RIF'd" camp. Honeywell sucks the life and soul out of you and I'll be happy to take the severance + the pension and leave that ho-e for good. There are many other jobs to be had and now, more companies who are truly forward thinking are offering remote working; unlike Honeywell who thinks it's still 1992.
I have to say that being riffed in June 2020 was perfect. I was paid INTO January 2021. Then I have since collected 2k a month in unemployment, no requirement to look for work. I'll ride the unemployment train to its end in August unless my financial adviser freaks out. Only difference is now I will apply for 4 jobs a week, Little chance of them hiring a 65 year old old lady. True story: a headhunter contacted me for my exact previous job at Aero, only diff--it was sent down to band 3. LOL I guess the person they made me train in P.R. couldn't do the job...
I have a lot of financial obligations and a 26 month paid vacation before starting another job was fantastic. No stress, watching the job market at leasure, researching the companies that I was interested in.
I had been wanting to leave for a few years prior to the layoff last June but needed the push out of my comfort zone to see how many better opportunities existed. Also saw how much I was being underpaid.
I'm about 10 years out from retirement, and age discrimination is a real thing. Not just within HW, but most large corporations. I understand how hiring someone earlier in their career can be appealing.
I landed at a smaller company that valued my experience to help them become something greater than they were, with equal benefits and 20% more pay.
Leaving on your own terms is always better, but not having to go to a toxic work environment can be worth it for your health/self-care (even without a new job lined up). Not everyone who is praying to be laid off has a mortgage, and they might have alternative healthcare options (e.g., through a spouse). Everybody's circumstances are different, so you should make the best decision for you and your family.
Severance is only 1 week for every year up to 26 weeks and is never worth the strings attached unless you are within a year of retirement. Smart money is to find a better job and leave on your own terms.