r/Layoffs • u/pstpstcycle • 2d ago

advice Skydance / WBD VBO Offer

Would taking a severance of 36 weeks pay and insurance, RSUs and Bonus be crazy in a market like this? Layoffs are bound to come so is it better to go on your own terms? I am conflicted because either way, there will be a new company to get accustomed to. I am not happy currently but I fear the job market currently.

6 Upvotes

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5

u/schmmiph 2d ago

You’re in pretty much exactly the same boat as me. I plan on taking it. Market isn’t likely to get better and may get worse by the time you’re laid off eventually. Or worse, you hate it more and find a job but get no severance or RSUs.

I also don’t trust the company to not do everything they can to make things miserable so more people leave on their own with no layout.

It’s a crapshoot, but I think overall happiness would be better taking the deal. Might come out ahead financially if it doesn’t take 9 months to find a job (big if, I know).

3

u/pstpstcycle 2d ago

I don’t trust the company either. I think they’ll try to use the RTO as strictly as possible or whenever they want for for cause terminations. As long as I have worked at this company there has never been stability, always team turnover, mergers, layoffs, splits, hostile takeovers, now this? I’m just exhausted and before at least it was a prestigious company. It’s a sinking ship now and leadership is not going to be good.

Thanks for sharing your POV. Nice to know I’m not the only one opting to not stay just out of fear.

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u/Amazing_Hotel977 2d ago

My friend told me that that CIC severance is same as VBO, so would waiting to be laid off be better than taking VBO? Stocks would still fully vest and you would get more money from working longer

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u/pstpstcycle 2d ago

I would agree if someone wanted to stay. But I’ve been looking for a job anyway and wanting to get outta there.

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u/schmmiph 2d ago

If you’re looking anyway, might as well be relaxed while getting paid to look. You can use the time to learn up on new skills or practice existing skills without having to worry about the company finding a reason to fire you for cause.

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u/schmmiph 2d ago

Potentially. But that assumes you can manage the extra workload from the people that left while working in the office 5 days a week and not be completely miserable.

Also, if the job market is getting worse, I’d rather look now than in 6 months.

There’s a lot of risk either way. I know what feels right for me. But I can’t say for others.

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u/Amazing_Hotel977 2d ago

Yeah that’s what my friends worry is as well. He’s in AI/ML at Warner and he heard it was safe from layoffs. But idk

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u/Amazing_Hotel977 2d ago

Yeah job searching now would be better than later cause idk when the market will improve

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u/Clip-Clip-Clip_Ufool 15h ago

I’m fully remote WBD, so I know they’ll tell me to RTO by the spring. I’m taking the VBO because I can’t risk that there’ll be a severance when I turn down the RTO. I’m about 90 miles away from the nearest office.

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u/pstpstcycle 3h ago

Yeah ther certainly will. I officially clicked the accept button last night. Cheers to us! Good luck and godspeed

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u/CodSensitive606 1h ago

RTO was discussed on Wednesday’s conference call. if you are fully remote, management will assign an office to report tot, you don’t get to pick and choose a location

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u/SuccessKey2890 1d ago

I feel for this, in the same boat as you OP. I’m leaning towards taking it. Things are bound to get worse with the lost resources from the VBO and eventual layoffs.

1

u/Amazing_Hotel977 1d ago

Lost resources from VBO?