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Back in 2008-9 I worked as a PHP developer for a small startup and at the end of my first year we had worked through our whole roadmap and there wasn't anything
by byoung2 11y ago
Back in 2008-9 I worked as a PHP developer for a small startup and at the end of my first year we had worked through our whole roadmap and there wasn't anything interesting on the horizon. The economy was pretty bad so sales were taking a hit in that market (helping people get into business school). I was planning to quit and I already had my next job lined up to start in 3 weeks (I planned to give 2 weeks notice, then take a 1 week vacation before starting the new job). The new job was also as a PHP developer at a bigger company.
On Friday I told my boss (VP of operations) that I was planning to resign, and he told me to hold on to my resignation letter until Monday, and act surprised when the founders called me in to lay me off. I probably laid it on a little thick by telling them it was the greatest opportunity of my career to be able to work with such visionaries. I complemented my boss on the great job he was doing and that I understood the need to tighten the purse strings in a tough economy. I was given the choice to be laid off and collect unemployment, or to sign a resignation letter and receive a 6 week severance (I chose the latter).
- jedberg 11y ago> I was given the choice to be laid off and collect unemployment, or to sign a resignation letter and receive a 6 week severance (I chose the latter). Wow, that is some awesome game theory right there. Basically you had to guess whether you'd be on unemployment long enough to make more money that way or through severance. Kinda sucks that they didn't let you do both though. After you leave unemployment costs them nothing (they already paid into it).
- codazoda 11y agoUnemployment sometimes costs the company more after employee's leave. If you haven't paid in enough, they increase the amounts you pay in.
- byoung2 11y agoThe severance made the most sense because I already had a new job lined up to start in a few weeks.
- jedberg 11y agoI meant for your coworkers. :) For you the choice was obvious.
- hyperpape 11y agoRecent years were a little different, because of the unemployment extensions, but I think that in most of the US, you'll earn substantially less than 50% of a programmer's salary on unemployment, possibly even less than 25% (http://www.savingtoinvest.com/2015-vs-2014-maximum-weekly-unemployment-benefits-by-state/ http://www.savingtoinvest.com/2015-vs-2014-maximum-weekly-un...). Combined with a maximum time of 24 weeks, and I think severance wins out.
- smartician 11y agoSo it sounds like the founders had already told your boss that he needs to reduce headcount, and you solved the problem for him, and also enabled him to do you a favor. Nice!
- jasonkester 11y agoI had this exact same thing happen to me in 2001. I had saved up to spend half a year traveling around the world. I gave my boss the heads up a couple months in advance, he told me to keep quiet for a few days, and next thing you know I was out the door with a couple months to spend on a surfing roadtrip before hopping that flight, and enough funds to cover it. Everybody wins, especially the CTO who had to ruin one less developer's day.