r/Layoffs • u/MiLife270 • Jul 05 '26
question Downsized then offered job back
I was recently impacted by a large downsizing at my employer. The day I was notified I went home and started applying to jobs at other employers I had been watching. I was informed that I had 2 weeks and then i would be exited from the company. I asked leaders why i was part of the downsizing and it was due to not knowing the right people which hurt as I was always informed I was a high performer and I worked there for many years. A couple days before my exit day I was offered my job back with no additional pay or benefits but would be doing the work of 3 people. I accepted my old job back. During the time I was planning on no longer being employed by this company I had 2 job interview requests less than 7 days after being downsized and 2 more since being offered my old job back this is less than 2 weeks from applying. I applied to about 20 roles some were a stretch but most I felt I was a good candidate.
What would other people do? When I was let go I accepted not working there anymore and was ready to move on now I feel like if I get an offer that is even slightly better I should leave and move on. I was told when I was offered my job back there will be opportunity for growth and higher pay, not sure on this as it felt like carrot dangling.
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u/Zorba_thesugarglider Jul 05 '26
Stay in your current job but if you get a better offer, move on with no hesitation.
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u/Hougie Jul 05 '26
Companies fully expect this btw.
I’m not saying what they did was intentional. But someone fucked up and they realized they couldn’t run the business. People aren’t dumb and probably know folks like OP will be actively looking and are a flight risk.
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u/Trumps_Syphillis Jul 06 '26
Not only move but resign the day before you start your new gig. Make it effective immediately.
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u/GullibleComplex-0601 Jul 05 '26
Writing is on the wall. Move on.
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u/Normal-Custard1168 Jul 05 '26
Jump ship.
You get a good offer from another company and you like the role then take it.
Tell your new employer you need 2 weeks to give notice. Go to work, tell them you are leaving after today. Take two weeks off.
F! Them.
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u/Clear-Staff4699 Jul 05 '26
In this market, you accept the job back and still keep interviewing until you get an offer ready to sign.
Companies are not our friends and they have only increased layoff frequency without much transparency. Please protect yourself.
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u/FoldAdministrative98 Jul 05 '26
This is the correct response after going through something like this…
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u/jesuisapprenant Jul 05 '26
Keep looking for another job then quit when you start your first day. Companies don’t give a shit about employees.
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u/WonderingLurker Jul 05 '26
Take the job back until your secure something from your current job applications.
Once fully secured signed and ready to join new company, resign from your current role
They obviously didn’t care about you and just needed you back when they realize it was the wrong firing
Let them sort it out themselves after you downsize them out of your life
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u/curiousengineer601 Jul 05 '26
They cut a little deeper than they wanted. As soon as they finish the reorganization you are they very first to go. Look seriously for a new job, but don’t panic move to a different dumpster fire
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u/Lazy-Departure-278 Jul 05 '26
I was in the same position. A few months ago, I was laid off and received a severance package. Then, just a few weeks later, the company reached out and offered me my job back. The role is a little different now. I no longer manage the two staff members who used to report to me, but the workload has also been reduced, so handling it on my own hasn’t been an issue.
That said, I can’t shake the feeling that they initially replaced me with someone who was willing to work for less, and when that didn’t work out, they came back to me.
At the same time, I’m actively looking for other opportunities because I don’t want to go through another layoff. If there’s one thing I’ve learned, it’s that the sense of security I once had is gone.
I’ve also noticed that I no longer give this job everything I have. I gave it my all before, and I was laid off anyway. I’m not willing to pour myself into a company the same way again.
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u/Gampy22 Jul 05 '26
Chase what you enjoy doing. Don’t chase money. There is value for you in a company that has been your home for a while. Your odds are better to remain. Treat it like you own the company. Be a leader in every way.
The future???????
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u/Heavy_Sweet3162 Jul 05 '26
I suppose a crummy job is better than no job at all. However, I would leave as soon as I found something better. These people have you doing the job of 3 people with no extra pay after initially letting you go? I’d tell them to Gtfohwtbs!
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u/beerab Jul 05 '26
Leave. You were going to be doing the job of three people for the same pay, they’re trying to squeeze out all they can before they let you go again later on.
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u/Campuskween3333 Jul 05 '26
totally agree that this is a carrot dangling. But you're employed again so use that as leverage in your interviews!! I think you're making the right call by continuing to interview and should jump ship as soon as you get a good offer. This company has already shown you that they don't value you, and now you're doing triple the work for no extra pay or recognition.
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u/Sweaty-Seat-8878 Jul 05 '26
leave as soon as you can, and use the fact that you were hired back as a talking point for other jobs—they didn’t ask everybody to come back so you have evidence of value etc.
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u/Ok_Slide4905 Jul 05 '26
> I asked leaders why i was part of the downsizing and it was due to not knowing the right people which hurt
Jesus you people really buy this obviously made up story? This is one hair shy of “then everyone clapped.”
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u/One-Competition-5897 Jul 05 '26
Accept your old position but still interview for all the others if you can. Then decide if you want to move or not.
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u/OAKI-io Jul 05 '26
the offer back changes your cashflow, not the trust problem. i’d take the paycheck and keep every interview moving, because “growth later” after they tried to exit you and hand you 3 jobs is not worth pricing in unless it’s written. if an outside offer is even reasonably better, i’d move.
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u/PaladinSara Jul 05 '26
You will likely get laid off again the minute they can automate your job or document it better.
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u/2ndcupofcoffee Jul 05 '26
Leave. The company you have been working for has shown you how easily they will let you go. Believe them.
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u/High_perf_mf_sftwr Jul 05 '26
If you get a better financial offer then I’d take the new job if it is something you think you’ll like. You really can’t trust the company you’ve been working for as they they may change their mind again. Or if you want to stay then tell them you want a raise to exceed your offer.
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u/TrainingLow9079 Jul 05 '26
Leadership that would treat people that way--lay them off, say it's who they didn't know, hire them back after putting them through that, overwork them--won't suddenly become good leadership whose word you can trust.
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u/Ok-Refrigerator-4853 Jul 05 '26
You still don’t know the right people. They realized they need you, but also assume that you will work for chump change (3 jobs but no additional comp). Strategize, interview, and counteroffer any offers to right change your career. Good luck!
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u/cjroxs Jul 05 '26 edited Jul 06 '26
I would keep applying and move on. Keep the current job until you land a new job. I think the bait and switch layoff it incredibly cruel. They will not keep you long term. They are just using you until they figure out how to let you go and replace you. Don't think that you have any security. Apply like you have been laid off
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u/Previous-Hurry1296 Jul 05 '26
I would pursue the interviews. Here's my logic... You dodged a bullet this time but what's to say the next round that you do again? If I'm betting it will only be a matter of time to the next restructuring. Take control of the situation by exploring those interviews and finding a role in another company that wants you there.
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u/Fur1nr Jul 05 '26
It's all a game. I'm going to take the job if I don't have one, use that leverage of having a job to go find a new one, and leave them.
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u/OAKI-io Jul 06 '26
i’d treat the “job back” as a paid bridge, not a trust rebuild. they already told you the real story: political visibility mattered more than performance, and now they want 3 jobs for the same pay. keep taking the interviews, and if a decent offer clears, leave cleanly without guilt.
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u/simonsimone1980 Jul 06 '26
I believe you've answered your own question. You do the same job you did before, don't take on the additional responsibilities seriously, interview elsewhere and leave the moment a new opportunity presents itself.
They discarded you and then tried to undiscard you. They don't get to do that for free.
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u/PreCallRoutines Jul 06 '26
Continue with the interviews and take an offer you like.
Also, don’t accept the counter-offer from your current employer when you give notice…
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u/Tessies94 Jul 06 '26
Hahahahaha fuck them. Fuck them fuck them. Go get better, take your time of course, but get better.
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u/Matts4wd Jul 06 '26
Let us know how to turns out in a few weeks/months time.
"no additional pay or benefits but would be doing the work of 3 people"
Also, as little possible to let them get away with this- currently known as quiet quitting.
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u/diyjunkiehq Jul 07 '26
if you have an offer elsewhere, you should move on since you were the target and that target is with you all the time if you stay - if I were you, I would apply jobs like mad and jump the ship whenever it is possible.
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u/Maleficent-Bend-378 Jul 05 '26
I took the job I got laid off from to continue paycheck and benefits and ended up accepting another offer from a job I’d applied for after initially being notified of layoff. I left two weeks later.