Brittany Pietsch, a former employee at the tech company Cloudflare, shared her layoff experience in a gripping TikTok video. The video features a call with Rosie, an HR rep, and another guy from HR. They start by telling Brittany she didn’t meet performance expectations, but she cuts them off, arguing she didn’t have enough time to prove herself. As the video unfolds, it’s clear that Rosie and the other guy struggle to answer Brittany’s questions about why she’s being let go. They use vague language and don’t provide specific details about her situation.
Interestingly, Brittany’s manager isn’t on the call. This could be because letting employees go is a tough and emotional task. It might also be a way to shield the manager, who seems to have given Brittany positive reviews before her layoff.
This video is a must-watch for all employees. It gives a real insight into what it’s like to be laid off and could help you negotiate a severance package if you ever find yourself in that situation.
If you want to negotiate a severance, it’s crucial to stay on top of your company’s performance. If your company is publicly traded, make sure to attend quarterly earnings calls. If you work for a private company, keep an eye on internal performance metrics and management calls. The worse the company’s performance, the higher the risk of layoffs.
Don’t wait for HR or your manager to bring up the possibility of a layoff. Be proactive and start the conversation yourself. This puts you in a better position to negotiate a fair severance package. Offer to help with the transition and ask for a severance package similar to what other laid-off employees received.
Remember, laying someone off is hard. By bringing up the possibility of a layoff, you’re making it easier for your manager and showing that you’re willing to help with the transition.
Brittany’s video is a stark reminder that job security is never a sure thing. It also shows that HR is primarily there to protect the company, not you. So, if you want to negotiate a severance package, be careful about what you share with HR.
A severance package isn’t just a check. It can take many forms. For example, my wife, a high-performing employee, negotiated a six-figure severance package. She got a full-time salary for several months while only working two days a week. She also got a standard two-month severance check and six months of free healthcare. After a six-month break, she was rehired as a consultant with a much higher hourly wage.
This shows that severance packages can be flexible and negotiable. It also highlights the importance of maintaining good relationships with your colleagues.
If you’re thinking about leaving your job, consider negotiating a severance package. I did this in 2012 and it covered over five years of living expenses. This gave me the freedom to travel and focus on building Financial Samurai. The sense of freedom I’ve experienced since leaving the finance industry has been priceless.
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