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Surviving the Layoff, Part 4: The HR Files
We did it. The final episode of our Surviving the Layoff series is here, and it's the one we've been building toward.
Getting HR reps to talk to us was not easy. They take confidentiality seriously (and honestly, we respect it). We still interviewed multiple HR professionals (anonymously) across advertising, software, and direct-to-consumer product industries and compiled everything they shared into this episode.
If you've ever wondered what's actually happening behind the scenes when layoffs go down, this is the episode.
In this episode, Amanda and Katie cover:
What's driving the current wave of layoffs and why companies are still reluctant to name AI as the reason
Warning signs to watch for (and why there may be none at all)
How layoff lists actually get made: the 3-6 month planning process, the legal review, and who has final say
Whether you can opt in to a layoff and when it actually makes sense to raise your hand
The WARN Act (Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification Act) explained: which companies it applies to, what notice employees are owed, and how to check if your company has filed
The OWBPA (Older Workers Benefit Protection Act): your review and revocation rights if you're 40+ including the 7-day window you can never waive
Severance packages: what's standard, what's negotiable, and why HR reps say many people sign without reading the agreement carefully enough
What happens to bonuses, equity, and unvested shares and why you have to advocate for yourself
Unemployment in Texas: how it works, how it's calculated, how employers pay into it, and why your tax bill in April might surprise you
COBRA and health insurance: what the transition looks like and why missing enrollment windows is a costly mistake
Final advice from HR themselves: stay composed, don't post, don't burn bridges
Resources mentioned: Check your state's WARN Act filings at [dol.gov] and the layoff checklist available at lessthanexpert.com
Podcast Sponsors/Discounts:
Cozy Earth — 21% off with code LTE at cozyearth.com
Copper North — 15% off with code LTE at coppernorth.com
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By Amanda Talmadge & Katie HermanWe did it. The final episode of our Surviving the Layoff series is here, and it's the one we've been building toward.
Getting HR reps to talk to us was not easy. They take confidentiality seriously (and honestly, we respect it). We still interviewed multiple HR professionals (anonymously) across advertising, software, and direct-to-consumer product industries and compiled everything they shared into this episode.
If you've ever wondered what's actually happening behind the scenes when layoffs go down, this is the episode.
In this episode, Amanda and Katie cover:
What's driving the current wave of layoffs and why companies are still reluctant to name AI as the reason
Warning signs to watch for (and why there may be none at all)
How layoff lists actually get made: the 3-6 month planning process, the legal review, and who has final say
Whether you can opt in to a layoff and when it actually makes sense to raise your hand
The WARN Act (Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification Act) explained: which companies it applies to, what notice employees are owed, and how to check if your company has filed
The OWBPA (Older Workers Benefit Protection Act): your review and revocation rights if you're 40+ including the 7-day window you can never waive
Severance packages: what's standard, what's negotiable, and why HR reps say many people sign without reading the agreement carefully enough
What happens to bonuses, equity, and unvested shares and why you have to advocate for yourself
Unemployment in Texas: how it works, how it's calculated, how employers pay into it, and why your tax bill in April might surprise you
COBRA and health insurance: what the transition looks like and why missing enrollment windows is a costly mistake
Final advice from HR themselves: stay composed, don't post, don't burn bridges
Resources mentioned: Check your state's WARN Act filings at [dol.gov] and the layoff checklist available at lessthanexpert.com
Podcast Sponsors/Discounts:
Cozy Earth — 21% off with code LTE at cozyearth.com
Copper North — 15% off with code LTE at coppernorth.com
Zivo Life — 30% off with code LTE at zivo.life
Love Indus — 21% off with code LTE at loveindus.com
Tona Active — 16% off with code LTE at tonaactive.com
Akila Sunglasses — 10% off with code LTE at akila.la
Mantra Matcha — 15% off with code LTE at mantramatcha.com
Handful — 30% off with code LTE at handful.com