About 6 months ago, my wife took a new job with an agency in our city that was advertised as a mid-level role that gave her new responsibilities that would help her specialize more in her field. But it ended up being a way harder transition than she ever expected (they basically dumped the whole practice of her discipline in her lap with almost no support) and it's been a rocky few months. She was committed to sticking it out a year and then looking for a new position after that. Or at least that was her plan.
Earlier this week, her boss pulled her into a meeting with HR and said she wasn't meeting their needs currently and offered to either allow her to resign + 2 months salary for severance or she could choose to stay and be put on an official improvement plan, which they'd terminate her if she didn't shortly show improvement. She has until Tuesday morning (first day back from Memorial Day weekend) to decide. I should note, she has about a 10-year track-record in the general industry (we both graduated in 2008) that's been pretty much spotless to date, including having 6 years at her last employer with a glowing recommendation.
By my calculations, the severance would be worth about $10k across two months pre-tax, while our state's unemployment benefits would max out at $16k across 26 weeks, though obviously less if she lines up a job quicker. Looks like it has to be a one-or-the other choice, as if she resigns that would make her ineligible for the unemployment. I should add that we only have our mortgage for debt and I can cover that with my income in the interim if push came to shove, though I would obviously love to avoid that.
I guess I'm just generally torn because I'd like to see her start somewhere with a better environment but would like her to have a safer transition period (2 months seems like a very fast timeline to try and find something new).
Part of me is thankful they're offering the severance, which companies are in no way legally obligated to do, but the cynical side of me thinks they also might just be trying to protect their payroll tax contribution by limiting unemployment claims.
It feels like they're offering her an opportunity to save more face + frame the departure in a better light, but it means less financial stability in the interim. Trading money for pride, basically.
TL;DR: My wife was given an ultimatum of resigning her new-ish job and getting 2 months' severance or quite likely be let go later and be able to collect unemployment. Advice?
Submitted May 26, 2019 at 10:28AM by BadNewzBears4896 http://bit.ly/2M8Ys8g
