Why waiting to get fired is not a good career strategy.

Waiting to be laid off instead of submitting your notice is a well-known practice that employees follow in Mexico. As I was further looking into the subject, I discovered that it is a procedure recommended by many blogs, websites, and even lawyers.

I know that in The US, for example, it's the complete opposite, and by reading many articles and watching videos on the topic, I found out that in The United States it is more likely to be recommended to hand in your resignation over letting your boss make the first move and let you go. The latter was not mentioned as a recommendation even once in any of them.

To be shown the exit is economically better compensated in both countries though it is not encouraged in The US, and to me it is clear why that is. I wish to explain and give some good reasons to the people who are considering making use of this strategy to choose another approach.

It is a waste of your time.

One can never know when the company will decide to make the call. It could be weeks or a whole year. While you keep putting in the hours at a job you don't want anymore, perhaps growing anxious or distressed, you could be going to interviews, networking events, change careers, or starting your own business.

Certainly, that would be a better use of your time and energy. So, assess the situation, make a plan and don't stay stagnant in a place that is not longer serving you.

It can hurt your reputation.

Knowing that letting you go is a decision that might cost your boss more than to keep you there, many HR departments choose to retain workers but go hard on them, so they get fed up and leave on their own. Exerting pressure on the employee is a common strategy that companies use. Only to drain you even more.

Moreover, this dynamic makes the environment become unbearable for both parties. Consequently, instead of exiting the company on a good note, staying and wait for things to get worse and get fired will probably have you end up in a toxic situation with your boss and cohorts, unable to ask for references at the end of it all.

Therefore, a better idea would be to do things the right way. Save up some money, get your resume updated, and properly notify your company you will be leaving.

You might have not worked out the numbers well.

Many get into this thinking that the severance they will receive will help them out more than quitting right now and finding a new opportunity. However, settlement can take months or even a year, companies will most likely make an offer that is not what you should receive but you will be cornered to accept it or keep paying lawyers and waiting a long time before you see the money. Be smart and start allocating all of that effort into finding new ventures rather than letting your time and money go to waste on legal fees and time-consuming processes.

Investing in your relations at work and your reputation is more valuable than any severance you could receive.

It might be concluded from this that we never know how life will turn out. In my opinion, investing in your relations at work and your reputation is more valuable than any severance you could receive.