1. My partner got a job 500 miles away. But I was thinking about leaving anyway because the company was involved in a merger, terms and conditions were worsening, and they were offering a generous voluntary severance package. I was also getting itchy feet as I'd been there a long time but there was no progression due to several rounds of redundancies and a flattening of the hierarchy.
2. Currently on "garden leave" and not allowed to have any job offers on the table before the severance deal is agreed or they will not pay it, so I am currently unemployed. I'm hoping to change career direction a little so am expecting to have to take a substantial pay cut. Luckily my partner will be footing a lot of the bills until I get back on my feet.
3. I was there for 6 1/2 years, which is the longest I have been with one company. I applied for Voluntary Severance in March, it was accepted at the start of June and I officially leave in 2 weeks time, so they had about 4 months notice but I only had 6 weeks.
4. My current and most recent former line manager (I've had 4 over the 6 1/2 years...) will both provide excellent references on request. I also got very generous severance pay (6 months pay tax free).