Serious Question

l0613p

No flaming please.

 

Our company is going through some tough times right now.  People keep getting laid off.  Today two people from my team were let go.  If I were to get laid off and was able to collect for a little while, we would be fine.  I could spend more time with my son.  I could go back to school for nursing (which is what I would really like to do).  The people that are getting laid off are people that have no wishes to be let go. 

 

My question is??

 

Is there a way for me to talk to my boss to let her know that if she is put into the position where she has to make cuts again, that I would be willing to take the job cut? 

 

I would only do that if I knew it wouldn?t effect me negatively.  I don?t want to get fired.  If we had no money coming in on the side, it would be really tight for us. 

 

Thoughts?  Advice?  I really don?t think there is a way for me to talk to her about this, but I figured I would ask if anyone had any suggestions.

AvidVertigo

If you get fired, you can still draw unemployment.

I know this because it happened to me at my last job 3 and a half years ago. 

I dunno if I would go and talk to them about this.  It makes it seem like you want to quit.  If you volunteer to quit, you won't get unemployment.

kfbny

I had a similar thing many years ago when I was interested in switching careers but couldn't afford to quit just yet.  I actually mentioned it to someone who was not in the position to make the cuts, but was able to tell the person who was.  I was called in and she literally said, I understand you would be interested in being laid off. She was actually grateful not to have to let someone go who wanted to be there.  Is there someone who you could "confide" in, who would then be willing to make a mention of it to a higher up?  You must be very careful, because they could take it the wrong way.  If your confidant poses it as you are a new mom who misses your child very much, or something like that, they will be less offended. 

 Hope that helps! Good luck! 

l0613p

AvidVertigo:

If you get fired, you can still draw unemployment.

I know this because it happened to me at my last job 3 and a half years ago. 

I dunno if I would go and talk to them about this.  It makes it seem like you want to quit.  If you volunteer to quit, you won't get unemployment.

 

Yeah....that's the thing.  I don't plan on quitting for quite some time (if ever).  DH and I keep saying once our one car is paid off, I can be a SAHM.  However, by that time I'm sure we'll be ready for DC#2 and I doubt we'd be able to keep our lifestyle at that point without my income. 

I just hate seeing people lose their jobs when they don't want to.  I really want to go back to school, but can't with working FT and wanting to spend time with my LO.  Blah. 

l0613p

kfbny:

Is there someone who you could "confide" in, who would then be willing to make a mention of it to a higher up?  

 

My other (less senior) boss just had a baby 6 months before me.  If I were able to talk to anyone about it, it would be her.  I am just afraid it may come back to bite me if I do that. 

 

Rock---------->ME<---------Hard Place

kfbny

What if you said to her, "ahh, wouldn't it be nice to be paid to stay home with our LOs?"  And softened it by being all, "I feel so bad for those people who are getting laid off, but I'm a little jealous, hahaha". You know, along those lines. Depends how close you are to her.  Only you can know whether it will be taken the wrong way (or in your case the right way!).  And also, yes, you can collect unemployment if you are fired. So maybe either way you will get what you want. 

Sorry I can't be more of a help! 

l0613p

I really appreciate the feedback, ladies.  I am actually set to have a "play date" with the less senior boss and her son when it gets warmer.  Maybe, when we're outside of work, I will feel more comfortable bringing it up to her.

I just don't want to get fired.  I really do have a good job with a huge company and don't want to ruin a good reference.

JDO

Lurking from 3-6...

My employer was forced to do layoffs at the end of January due to budget cuts. They said that anyone willing to take a voluntary layoff would be entitled to the same benefits (unemployment, vacation/sick time paid out, recalled to work based on seniority) as anyone forced to be laid off. I took the voluntary layoff to stay home with LO a little longer. It saved another person's job who didn't want to be laid off so I feel good about my choice there too.

Just remember, if you plan to collect unemployment while laid off, you need to be actively searching for work and you can't refuse any reasonable offer for work - so you might not just be able to stay home with your LO and go to school while getting paid for it. 

stayathomedaddy

A couple of things.

 A lot of companies do voluntary layoffs, so you could see if your company is doing that.

 Also, "actively searching for work" is almost a joke when it comes to unemployment. It simply means you have to apply for 3 jobs a week that you are qualified for. I use Monster.com and get it done in 5 minutes a week. You don't have to go to a company and hand in a resume, it does it all for you. And let's just say there are ways to apply for jobs that make it unlikely you'll get an offer.

rubredvelvet

Well, you can get unemployment from being fired... but that being said - I would also like to mention that this sort of thing is why the 'system' doesn't work...