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i was given the option to take 1 month PIP or take 1 month severance. I took severance but not quite sure why they offered me pip. I am guessing something do with unemployment benefits?

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You did the correct thing. The PIP is to cover their butt that you really were a bad employee and you were not wrongfully terminated. The laws vary wildly state-to-state but generally if you're PIP'ed out you can't claim unemployment or wrongful termination.

At least in Washington state, that's not the case. When I was PIPed out of Red Hat and claimed unemployment, benefits were approved.

"You or your employer said you were fired.

We decided:

You were fired, but there was no misconduct. You gave your best effort, but you were unable to do your job as expected.

When you are fired but there is no misconduct, you are eligible for benefits."

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