How to Ask Your Boss to Get Laid Off

There is a proper way to ask to be laid off.

Being laid off comes with benefits that quitting doesn't bestow. You may get a severance package, health benefits and readjustment help. You will also qualify for more aid through your local government. And you qualify for unemployment benefits. However, asking directly to be laid off could be harmful to your references. Being subtle about your aims when you request to be laid off can help you achieve your goal without damaging your reputation.

Instructions

1. Schedule a meeting with your boss. You can email, call or ask him in person for the meeting. Be respectful and tell him there is no rush.

2. Explain to him that you're considering a career in another city. Say that you enjoy working for his company, but you wish to take another direction in your work life. Tell him that you don't want to quit, but if there is any redundancy in the company's workforce, you want to volunteer to be laid off.

3. Work only on short-term projects. You don't want anything on your desk to be vital to the long-term interests of the company. It would increase its reasons to keep you as an employee.

4. Meet with your boss. Explain that you've heard layoffs are coming and that you want to reiterate that you'd be a willing candidate. Explain again that you value the company and your job, but that being laid off would give you a chance to relocate.

Tips & Warnings

• Approaching your human resources representative instead of your boss could be another, and better, approach to getting laid off.

References

• Main Street: How to Get Laid Off
• Wise Bread: How to Get Laid Off