Anonymous
08/29/2025 20:09
Subject: Got laid off, now they want me to volunteer
I had a former company lay me off and then a few weeks later asked for my help. I loved replying that my rate was $1000 per hour with a 40 hour commitment paid up front. They paid it!
Anonymous
08/29/2025 19:30
Subject: Re:Got laid off, now they want me to volunteer
Anonymous wrote:Never. If you choose to respond at all, I'd tell them you're not in a position to provide your services without compensation, but that you'd be willing to contract for the desired work at your hourly rate of X. They can take it or leave it. If they leave it, you're no worse off than you were before. If they take it, you'll be better off in two ways - you'll have income from the activity, and you'll begin to build a credible resume as a individual contractor in your field.
This
Anonymous
08/29/2025 18:59
Subject: Got laid off, now they want me to volunteer
Anonymous wrote:This is really more a of vent, but I got laid off in the mass of federal contracts that were terminated by DOJ, and while I never blamed my employer nor had much ill will toward them, that has now changed. They literally just reached out to me to ask if I'd be willing to do some "pro bono" work for them, as their remaining staff lack the ability to do what I specialized in.
On a scale of 1-10, how awful is the ask? At this moment, I'm still unable to secure employment, as most of what I'm qualified to do went up in smoke with all of those contract cancellations and now there are just no jobs in this field. (Domestic violence related). I'm working myself into a frenzy of being so pissed off, and wonder if I should be talked off this ledge?
10, the most awful
I would tell them to go f*** themselves
Anonymous
08/29/2025 17:27
Subject: Got laid off, now they want me to volunteer
That's crazy and also illegal. It violates the Anti-Deficiency Act.
If you want to be a little occupied and fill a resume gap you can surely find a real nonprofit with a worthier cause.l to volunteer for.
If you want to be a little occupied and fill a resume gap you can surely find a real nonprofit with a worthier cause.l to volunteer for.
Anonymous
08/29/2025 17:18
Subject: Got laid off, now they want me to volunteer
Anonymous wrote:Looking forward to the previous employer’s response…
She apologized for asking. That one I left on read.
Anonymous
08/28/2025 22:07
Subject: Re:Got laid off, now they want me to volunteer
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Is it something that can be explained in 1-2 hours or are they talking multiple hours/days/weeks? If the latter I would not do it pro bono - but would offer my services on a contact basis. Then they don't need to hire you back as a full-time employee.
No, we're talking multiple meetings and ongoing work.
Hell to the no then. They've made their bed...
Anonymous
08/28/2025 22:07
Subject: Got laid off, now they want me to volunteer
I think I would have emailed back “wow. Are you serious?”
Anonymous
08/28/2025 22:06
Subject: Got laid off, now they want me to volunteer
Wow. Just wow.