So I've been wanting to quit my job at Target for awhile and things have certainly gotten worse for me after the layoffs a couple weeks ago. I am actually wishing I would have been let go and gotten the severance package. I wish it could have been me instead of someone who really wanted to stay. I am thinking about going to HR and asking if I can be laid off because I feel that I should have been a couple weeks ago. People that were more talented and had more experience than me got let go and now I am picking up some of their projects. Of course I feel guilty for that. So I need advice on if this is a good idea to approach HR about volunteering to be laid off since I know they are trying to cut people anyway. We were told layoffs in our department are over. I have been thinking about just resigning but not sure if it's the right time for me. If I got laid off then it would give me more time to find something new. Is this a terrible idea? What's the worse that could happen if HR said no?
21 replies (most recent on top)
Dude, your dumb. Go find another job and don't quit until you have another job. Just quitting without something else in line is not a wise choice.
Target india has the most inefficient HR & recruitment team..they spend 4 hours in cafeteria or in smoking zone...they are always busy having fun, eating, shopping online. The entire team needs to be laid off
Please DO NOT go to HR. You will end up with a flag in your file, and eventually be let go...to pursue other opportunities...without a package. I would keep this to yourself, do not go to your manager. Start looking elsewhere and give your 2 week notice just like everyone else who gets a new job. Good luck.
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It's a trap. Don't go to HR.
Companies that offer voluntary layoffs often do so with early retirement. There are eligibility requirements to prevent losing the 'wrong' people. They are dong this because they were planning to cut older workers and don't want to risk age discrimination charges. Otherwise, they will have to cut equal young and old to make sure there is no age discrimination. Target is not targeting older workers...they just need to cut people. Why should they offer voluntary layoff when it doesn't make sense for them? Op just want to take advantage of the layoff to make some cash.
I have heard about other big companies asking for voluntary layoffs and early retirements when they are looking to reduce their workforce. For some reason, Target hasn't done that. I think they want total control of who is going and when so I would not suggest going to HR. Believe me, I have thought about it as well but I don't think it's a good idea. Sorry I don't have a concrete answer, just my humble advice.
Going to HR and asking to be laid off is essentially the same as asking them to PAY YOU to quit - get it? Why would they do that? How do you think that conversation would end? The only thing they'd give you is a little white box.
Ok 87519, what is it exactly that multiple floors of HR does, that would be worth a fart out in the "real world" of work? I tend to agree with 87523. Sure doesn't seem like it's anything that increases shareholder value, sells more T shirts and toilet paper, or helps me accomplish more to keep the company successful (and hold onto a job). Just more meaningless busywork that would be cut in a nanosecond in a small business that had to be accountable. To be honest, the layoffs unfortunately are probably necessary in this bloated company, and ironically they're one of the few tasks that HR does that seems of any value since I've worked here.
Great Team Cards, status status status
Fast Fun and Friendly, the E's of excellence, Leadership expectations, Goals and Objectives......and all of the other time-wasting gimmicks and the latest corporate buzzword filled BS that keeps good people from doing work. There's been more over the years, but I've thankfully forgotten them.
The layoffs are the least of the crap that HR inflicts on us on a daily basis. You want a list?
Yea, 87500, because HR's only job responsibility is to conduct layoffs.....you're an idiot!
HR's main purpose/goal is to protect the company's interest. Employees's well being are probably at the bottom of their priority. It doesn't mean that HRs are useless. You just need to understand what their priorities are....it's NOT you!
I agree with the posters that said to keep your head down and DO NOT go to HR. As has been said many times, they are not your friend and are not there for you. Which leads to a question I've seriously wondered about. What leads people to go into that line of work, really? The designers at Target obviously love design, fabrics etc, Real Estate people enjoy negotiating and closing on deals, architects and engineers like to design and put together buildings.........but HR? Were these people picked on in high school, and feel a need to get back at their fellow workers? When they were little kids did they think "when I grow up I want to work for "the man", and stick it to everyone else"? I don't get it. Unless they don't have any other skills........
Target doesn't have a volunteer program. If you want to protect your colleagues, leave before the next round. Doesn't guarantee that they will be safe but it doesn't hurt.
Why would they give you severance to leave. You are going to leave anyways. They want people to leave so they dont have to pay severance.
Dont talk to HR, they execute, they do not make decisions on who will be let go. They will channel your mesaage up and distort it in a way thay will not be good for you. Best bet, talk ti your dir or VP and ley them know you would want to move on and make it planned and orderly.
How much vacation time do you have banked and how good are your external prospects? Go to HR and that's your cushion.
Inviting HR to help make the decision is as smart as asking an arsonist to tend the fire or a vegan to decide which cut of meat to bring to the BBQ. In others ... you will most likely not like the results (unless you like really big fires and tofu).
Most likely any HR rep you can contact isn't going to 1) be looking to help, 2) won't have a clue if you'd be doing anyone else a favor, 3) even know who is on a list (those deets are known at levels you most likely won't be able to connect with), or 4) tell you anything meaningful even if they could. I'd also question if your sacrifice would mean someone else in your immediate area or even in related team was spared.
The week of pay for each year of service has been fairly consistent over the years and I don't see that going away.
(Op) I am on my way out. I'm sending my resume out and working my contacts to find something new...
Sorry but I think it would be foolish to go fishing at HR, looking to net a severance package at this point. Unless you really intend to leave; in that case, you have nothing to lose. But if you think you're going to wind up staying DO NOT tip your hand to HR. They are not your friends. And the next rounds of severance may not be as lucrative as the Canada and 1700 lay-offs were - you may be throwing your hat in the ring for something you'll regret. Unless, as I said, you are on your way out the door anyway.