Management is cutting my job after I automated 15 hours of weekly work, do I have to document it for them?

[u/Claptrap_5Z]

When I took this coordinator job, our team was losing fifteen to twenty hours every week just updating client logs and manually formatting spreadsheets.

I built a few simple macros and formula templates that cut all that data entry down to an hour. I thought saving twenty hours a week would free me up for higher-level projects.

instead, my manager called me into a meeting last Friday. She told me that because our administrative workload dropped, they are merging my role with a part-time position and letting me go. To get my severance check, they want me to write step-by-step documentation for every macro I set up.

I literally worked myself out of a salary. I should of just kept doing the data entry by hand like the last person.

Do I ACTUALLY have to document processes I created that were not in my original job description?

[u/APartyInMyPants]

Getting your severance check is contingent on documenting this process? That’s feels VERY illegal.

“Sorry, you know, I knew how to do that this morning, but I’ve now forgotten.”

Then go and undo all your macros.

[u/leros → u/APartyInMyPants]

Not illegal at all. The entire point of severance is to bribe you into doing stuff you don't have to do (signing agreements, documenting work, etc).

[u/APartyInMyPants → u/leros]

If you have it baked into your employment contract, then it can be. Depends on the wording.