alCan

Account Executive

PIP: Take severance or stay?

Need advice from the room.

My PIP will kick in at the end of the week. I will have one month to turn things around, which will not happen. It has not happened in the last Quarter and there is no reason to expect a miracle.

So there are three options:

1- Go on a PIP and be let go in a month with a reduced (minimal) severance

2- Take a 30K severance this week

3- Quit

Obviously, on paper, option 2 sounds the best. But I've often read/heard that you have a better chance finding a new job if you are working and employed. Obviously I want to use the next 30 days to apply for jobs and want to be in as much an advantageous position as possible. This makes me think twice.

The 30K is good but not critical to my life.

Finding a next position is more critical.

Help please and thanks

☂️ Layoffs

38 comments

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oldcloser

Arsonist

💀

Don’t call them. I still work there.
They won’t.

CuriousFox

WR Officer

🦊

Ding ding ding tell him what he's won John

alCan

Contributor

Account Executive

I have won sage advice?

oldcloser

Arsonist

💀

last time it was a fucking blender.

alCan

Contributor

Account Executive

Thank-you for the advice.

Diablo

Politicker

Sr. AE

I would lean towards 30k when I know my effort is not going to help me sail through. I would rather put 100% focus on applying and getting a new role now than later. Remember things might slow a bit late Nov/early Dec due to holiday season.

alCan

Contributor

Account Executive

Thanks Diablo. Certainly a good point. Would you say it doesn't matter that I am applying without a job compared to being employed?

saaskicker

Tycoon

Enterprise AE

Take 30k and go to your competitor.

alCan

Contributor

Account Executive

Thanks Saaskicker!

oldcloser

Arsonist

💀

Smile and wave. You can still leave your LinkedIn alone for a month or so.

alCan

Contributor

Account Executive

Thanks oldcloser. Very risky, I thought, because a reference check will inform when the separation happened, no?

Sunbunny31

Arsonist

Sr Sales Executive 🐰

If the reference happens after you get the interview and have otherwise sailed through, no biggie. They can only confirm the time of your employment (if you're in the US). By the time they get to employment checks, you should have had the opportunity to connect with the hiring manager, who would only look for egregious behavior as a reason to not hire you. Leaving your employer is not egregious behavior.

alCan

Contributor

Account Executive

Thanks for the sequence, which makes sense. Cheers

Pachacuti

Politicker

They call me Daddy, Sales Daddy

Obviously don’t quit when there’s money on the line.

Personally I’d take the $30k and then file for unemployment.

alCan

Contributor

Account Executive

Thanks for your answer.

Beans

Big Shot

Enterprise Account Executive

Take the cash out, and job hunt, keep your linkedin active with the current position and speak to it as if you're leaving on your own accord.
Ensure your reference from the current org will hold the story, assuming you've built strong internal relationships.

alCan

Contributor

Account Executive

Beans, good advice and have a good day.

poweredbycaffeine

WR Lieutenant

☕️

$30k is fairly small after taxes. However, something is better than nothing if you fail the PIP and don’t have a job lined up.

What’s your appetite for risk?

alCan

Contributor

Account Executive

I will fail the PIP sadly. My bigger concern is the next position, how to position with prospective employers and whether interviewing while employed is a better strategy (or not).Good point about 30K and taxes and something better than nothing, still thinking about my interview positioning more because the 30K won't make or break.

Kosta_Konfucius

Politicker

ERP Sales

What is the difference between the minimal severance + month salary compared to the 30k?

I would lean towards the 30k given I assume it's more and you don't have to fake work and 100% focus on landing a new role.

alCan

Contributor

Account Executive

Thanks Kosta. I think the difference is 25K. Still, I worry about looking unemployed vs looking employed.

Kosta_Konfucius

Politicker

ERP Sales

In that case I would take the severance with that big of a difference especially if you aren’t confident with the PIP.

That’s basically 6 months salary if you are getting 5k for the month on the payroll during the PIP.

Also you don’t disclose that you were PIPd but looking to work at “new” company because they are amazing.

alCan

Contributor

Account Executive

Kosta, thanks for the thoughtful advice.

GDO

Politicker

BDM

I would take the severnance

alCan

Contributor

Account Executive

Thanks, GDO.

Sunbunny31

Arsonist

Sr Sales Executive 🐰

Nobody says you have to take that employer off your LI page or resume right away. And if you're let go tomorrow, there isn't anybody out there who needs to know that your employment ended Oct 6, 2023. It will ultimately be that you were employed through October.
I wouldn't worry about it. Grab door #2, and start selling yourself.

alCan

Contributor

Account Executive

Sunbunny31, thank-you for the answer and taking the time.

Sunbunny31

Arsonist

Sr Sales Executive 🐰

Best of luck to you!

Hdizzle

Contributor

Commercial Account Executive

Take the 30k for sure. I personally think, PIP is basically a way to tell you that you are out - don’t risk that. I’m sure you’ve tried your best and such companies don’t care. Other companies would love to have you onboard

Revenue_Rambo

Politicker

Bad MFer

If the 30k is more than your base + reduced severance it a no brainer. Take the money file for unemployment and GTFO.

alCan

Contributor

Account Executive

Done! Thanks, John

Lameo

Fire Starter

Account Executive

As someone who is currently laid off… never had the courteous of a PIP and only got the a damn WEEK of severance, take the 30k and run.

Job market is competitive right now though…. I’d start your search ASAP.

CuriousFox

WR Officer

🦊

Would you make more money if you stayed vs take the severance?

alCan

Contributor

Account Executive

The severance is app. 3 months' pay.

wolfofmiami

Opinionated

🐺

Take the cash out in GME. Escape the matrix