Layoff Question
There is plenty of uncertainty around this issue caused by inadequate wording of the new laws which allow different people to view it differently. Based on what I have heard and read (from lawyer websites and other users in various forums) here is the summary:
Optimistic (Recommended) Outlook : Don\'t think about getting laid off. If it happens, you will probably get some notice period. Hope that this period will take you past your 180 day deadline. If not, persuade your company to postpone the layoff date (my company was considerate and considered many cases). Once you are past the deadline date, you can breathe easy. Then all you have to do is to find a similar job with similar pay. When you do, you have a choice of either reporting it to INS or not. The new law says you have to notify them even though there is no formal document. Basically we are in guinea pig mode. Good luck to us all.
This optimistic view can be taken another step higher and you can say that you can even change jobs BEFORE 180 days. I have seen some discussions in murthy.com where she argues that the new law just talks about adjudication within 180 days and nothing about the exact timing of the job change. I would not go so far as to recommend this view. But if, god forbid, you end up in that situation you have no choice but to explore this avenue (I hope you don\'t have to, good luck).
Pessimistic View (not recommended) : The ways of INS are too contradictory and arbitrary. This whole thing is a matter of chance. How else can you explain the fact that they raise RFEs for pay stubs etc. when GC is for a future job? Ultimately the particular officer who handles your case can turn out to be a real grouch and create problems.
I am in the same position as you are (worse, I am still waiting for EAD card and an RFE has been raised for it). I am sure there are plenty of others.
Take it easy.