Yesterday my boss told me they’re eliminating my position. They said I have two options: I can accept a severance package or accept a role in another department. This other role is the only other role they’re currently hiring for and it is not something I’m remotely interested in. I know I will be very unhappy in that position.
I’ve been with this company for 10 years and a few months ago they were acquired by a conglomerate. My role was reduced but they told me they still had a need for my role, until yesterday. With these changes I have been unhappy with the company’s leadership and have considered leaving but stayed for a few reasons..
My spouse and I have been trying for a baby for a year now and met with a reproductive endrocrinologist (RE) last week. We’re getting tests done (so far the tests we have had have all come back normal) and have a follow-up with the RE next month. With the RE’s intervention, I could be pregnant within the next few months.
The dilemma:
I could stay with my company, take the job that will cause extreme stress, stay on health benefits, hopefully get pregnant in a few months, take maternity leave, then look for a new job after. This seems the logical route, but getting pregnant is surprisingly very difficult (the things they teach you when you’re young make it seem so easy), and if I don’t get pregnant in the timeline I’d like (it’s already been a year), I could be stuck in this position for much longer than I want. I’ll be miserable and stressed (not helpful for TTC)
Or, I could take the severance package and look for a new job. The market right now is awful though and it could take months to get a job, no matter how many applications I submit. If I get a new job and end up pregnant shortly after accepting, I might not qualify for maternity leave benefits and they may think I intentionally deceived them about being pregnant.
I have until Monday to tell me boss what my decision is and I’m at a loss with what to do.