Layoff Tactic: Fight fire with custard

There's always this dream of putting "the man" in his place and leaving with some glorious display of disdain. But in reality, it's usually better to be as professional as possible about it because that will serve you better long after the thrill of defiance has worn off. And when you think about it, thumbing your nose really only disgraces the person doing it, because if the company were such an incompetent/evil place, then why were you working there, and wanting to keep your job, after all?

Still, you really want to do something to strike back.

But if you absolutely know it's going to happen, and especially if you know when, it seems to me that it would be fun, and somewhat liberating, to go in and ask for a significant raise, and I mean to do it as sincerely as possible, with no sarcasm at all - as if you had no idea whatsoever that the axe is falling.

The boss(es) wouldn't be able to be certain you were acting with disdain, so your professional reputation would remain intact. But it would be so bizarre that they would surely feel some discomfort. And if you make the case persuasively enough, it will at least show them what a valuable employee they're losing, and might possibly even demonstrate enough gumption to save your job.