So my job is being reclassified and I'm one of half the people being offered the new position, at a pay cut of course. I have about 24 hours to decide (is that legal?) or I can take a 23 week severance. Anyone out there have any thoughts or experience with this? I'm leaning towards the safe bet, but the thought of having most of the fishing season off and be able to job hunt is still tempting.

If you are in a field where you can get a job relatively easy.....I'd take the severance. But if you know it will be awhile take the job...and then go hunting

What is your profession/job title and is everyone reclassifying or just an employer who is either cheap or in financial difficulties , etc.

I'm a non-union manager of a supermarket chain that's in financial trouble, with a title of co-manager.
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If you think you can get another job and don't have a financial liability (i.e. no cash and kids to feed) I might consider the severance.

If you have a family and this job provides health insurance that's another thing to consider as well.

My biggest concern would be if you take the safe route (i.e. stay) and they opt to push you out out at a later date anyway with less attractive terms. If the place looks to be going under they might fold with no severance, or get bought and the store closed.

Rule of thumb is that the first offer will be the best...

Some things to think about.

-spence

Sh__ws?

They seem to be sliding away, at least locally...

My biggest concern would be if you take the safe route (i.e. stay) and they opt to push you out out at a later date anyway with less attractive terms. If the place looks to be going under they might fold with no severance, or get bought and the store closed.

Rule of thumb is that the first offer will be the best...

Some things to think about.

-spence

Bingo! A good friend is a store manager for a national paint company and this has happened to a few people in his company. The decided not to take the severance package and were terminated within 2 months due to job performance or some rarely enforced policy.

If you think you can secure a new job within a few months, I'd take the severance and try my best to get a new job quickly in order to double dip. A 23-week package is a pretty good offer.

Take the severence, fish your ass off till the fall......find another job then! Its a blessing in disguise!:uhuh:

Another rule of thumb....
Last guy out gets nothing!

Last guy out gets the tape dispensers and pencil sharpeners and whatever candy is left in the honor box...
I'd stay until I had another job - if that's the type of job that you will be looking for, be advised that's the kind of job where they get boucoup applicants and people stay out of work for a long time.

Take the severence package. Alternate between job hunting and fishing. If you land a new job soon, so much the better, you are way ahead, if not try a part time job while the severence lasts. Enjoy as much of the Summer as you possibly can. This is a once in a lifetime opportunity. Don't feel guilt or pressure, just do the best you can. 23 weeks paid! The best I ever got was a map to the door. Good for you, really!!

Does your severance include med insurance or will you have to go through cobra, big difference you know

My gf had to take a job one level down today, because her director thought she wouldn't be successful in the GM, role as they were going to redefine it. No examples, no nothing. Funny, with a pay cut and loss of bonus, she now has the exact responsibilities she had before....:fury::fury: Major credit card co. I want to blow up.... and get that director an up close and personal visit from the IRS auditors.....

I'm a non-union manager of a supermarket chain that's in financial trouble, with a title of co-manager.


Take the severance. That's a job not a career. Use the 23 weeks to find a better career path.

is to stay in the Job and begin searching "while you work"

it looks better on a resume (interview) to say your still working
and a job search "is" a full time job if done right
plus it takes resources like gas and maybe some new clothes
so stay polished....

secondly....you now have a perfect excuse to trade UP with a hiring company....
look at bio tech specifically

that and think of your management skills as what your selling
instead of staying (only) in that particular kind of business...

is to stay in the Job and begin searching "while you work"

it looks better on a resume (interview) to say your still working
and a job search "is" a full time job if done right
plus it takes resources like gas and maybe some new clothes
so stay polished....

secondly....you now have a perfect excuse to trade UP with a hiring company....
look at bio tech specifically

that and think of your management skills as what your selling
instead of staying (only) in that particular kind of business...

Great advice. Screw fishing - you need a job. You can still fish at night.

is to stay in the Job and begin searching "while you work"

it looks better on a resume (interview) to say your still working
and a job search "is" a full time job if done right
plus it takes resources like gas and maybe some new clothes
so stay polished....

secondly....you now have a perfect excuse to trade UP with a hiring company....
look at bio tech specifically

that and think of your management skills as what your selling
instead of staying (only) in that particular kind of business...

Great advice here, however I'm with Spence and JD. Take the severance and start looking. It's hard interviewing while working and once they figure out what your doing your gone anyway. Good luck and I'm betting this will be a very good move for you.

i agree with Raven. I've spoken to some headhunting firms and they told me they are not even looking at people who have been out of work for more than 3 months.

It's always easier to find a job when you already have one.

-spence