Wrong. You have to be employed - meaning Active Employment - to be on H1b visa. Severence package is no excuse to stay in country.
IANAL , but please don't say anything you don't know about law. If you overstayed yourself you broke the law.
this is wrong advice. Don't do this. If DHS gets notified you will kicked immediately and put on ban to US entry for 1 to 3 years depending on offence.
Read story of girl from Mexico ( techie girl) who overstayed.
i'm not at Microsoft. But, think from prospective that someone could be having life event. Some put years worth of efforts that including physical, mental energy into MS ( or previous Nokia ) , planned something and now potential job loss could be trigger to disaster.
I understand your point. However, its not necessarily people who are drag will get fired. Many smarties , especially one who keep to themselves will be included as well.
1. Any reason why executive pay can't be reduced and save these jobs ?
Why pay stupid executive million and millions dollars and chop jobs of these poor people ?
2. Who determines who gets to stay and who gets to be fired ? Fucked up ranking system ? Ass-Lickers ?
3. Anyone saying layoff are good should really take second look outside during daytime ( 9 - 5). Once you are in battleground of searching job its hell. Really , its hell. People don't fucking respond even though you have many blazing things to show. You know why ? Because , you may not necessarily be good fit ? Your age , Your cool factor , being fucking social comes into play. If you are in 30s and have given up coding , good luck finding something in management.
4. If you are on H1-B , its grand fuck. You get 15 days to leave country or find new job. Overstaying is illegal and you seriously jeopardize green card , stamping process. Many companies ( mine being medium size ) have automated notification to DHS about H1-B status update, cancelling petition, visas.
edit : Can't believe so many shills here. Let the downvote brigade begin. Have a good life.