Job Doc

What are the risks of volunteering for layoff or furlough? Elaine Varelas weighs in

While many fear the words "layoff" or "furlough," there may be opportunity in them for some. There are considerations to bear in mind, however, for an employee who wants to volunteer for layoff when no reductions are at hand. Elaine Varelas explores the risk of these transitions on the individual as well as the organization.

Ask the Job Doc. Boston.com

July 22, 2020

3 minutes to read

Q: I’d like to volunteer to be furloughed or laid off. It’s the perfect time for me, it would be to my benefit, and the company can keep someone who really needs or wants their job. How do I even approach this and would it have negative repercussions if they don’t let me do it? Is this worth the risk?A:

Every individual has different reasons for thinking about the benefits of being furloughed or laid off. Most people with jobs don’t want to be in those positions, but for some reason you are in a position to think about what your options are. Some people in this position have another job to go to and are taking a look at maximizing the financial benefits they could get from leaving. Other people are considering early retirement options, and this might be the financial and benefit continuation bridge they need. Some may want to make a career change and want the financial support to be able to start that process.

Whatever your reason is, take into consideration that alerting your manager that you don’t necessarily want to be there anymore can signal dissatisfaction with the job, management, or the company. Some people have very good relationships with their managers and can entertain these conversations “off the record.” You may not have that kind of relationship, so proceed with caution.

If your company is having layoffs and putting people on furlough, volunteering won’t have as much of a negative impact as if you raise your hand for something that’s not actively happening at the organization. So if your company is not taking these actions, yet you stand up and volunteer to be furloughed, there’s an entirely different message. As altruistic as your thoughts are about someone else keeping their job, the consideration management needs to make is the value of the position – not necessarily people. And so consider, is the work that you’re doing of a high value? Have you been considered a high-value employee? These are the things that are going to influence management’s decision on whether or not they’re willing to let you volunteer for this kind of a benefit, and the implications if others start to do the same. Even in other volunteer situations, some positions or departments are excluded because of the significant need for the skills.

Also make sure you are clear on what you are volunteering for. A furlough separates you from the company for a period of time with the plan of being called back. While furloughed, you are not paid, your benefits continue, and you are not allowed to respond to emails or check voicemail; you’re entirely cut off from responsibilities at the company. If you are laid off, all relationships with the company end with no promise of rehire. You will typically be provided with some salary continuation, benefits continuation, and career transition support as well. Be clear on which one you’re discussing, because management may consider you for both based on organizational needs.

Furlough and layoffs have a significant financial impact on companies, so continuing benefits for employees although they’re not working is an expensive proposition. Providing severance, benefits continuation, and career transition support also has a financial impact on organizations, so companies may decide that if you’re volunteering, then they don’t need to provide you with any kind of support as you leave by assuming that you’re taken care of in some other way.

Paying attention to the status of your organization is smart in any economy. How are they doing? What do you hear the leadership talking about? Are they concerned about their financial status? Are they concerned about not making their numbers, or about not growing at the pace they anticipated? All of these issues would lead one to assume that at some point the organization will turn to some financial cut backs that may include layoffs to meet their financial goals. The financial situation and the health of the company is something that a good employee should be aware of, and that might give you clues to the rest of the situation.

There is no clear yes or no in this kind of a situation. Everything depends. It depends on the needs of the organization, it depends on your manager’s willingness to support your volunteer activity, and it depends on the company’s ability to move ahead without you in that role or to replace you. If they say no, then you may be at risk of being impacted by a layoff at some point in the future that’s not necessarily of your choosing.