After my previous employer went through a merger I let it be known to upper management that I was friendly with that I wanted to be laid off. They arranged it,

After my previous employer went through a merger I let it be known to upper management that I was friendly with that I wanted to be laid off. They arranged it, then quit and hired me at their next place a year later. Got a severance package and a signing bonus and a 40% raise from the same manager within two years.