Does it really suck? His leave is getting paid and he's getting severance, which is essentially more paid leave. He can spend more time with his child. He might actually find it preferable. Having recently went on paternity leave myself, I would love to have more paid time with my child.

When does getting fired not suck?

Idk, if I got an 8-figure severance for being fired, I'd be pretty damn happy. I would say that definitely does not suck.

When you want to get fired or don't care.

My point is there's never a "good time" to get fired from a job you don't want to leave. GP doesn't like that this guy was fired on parental leave. OK so fire him on his first day back? There's never a time that won't "suck."

Paternity leave is likely worse, due to losing insurance coverage and other benefits that are useful and otherwise costly for a newborn.

Yes, there is COBRA and he is probably doing just fine financially, but significant unplanned changes in income/costs are never fun

When you have enough money to stop working and still be able to comfortably feed and shelter the next few branches of your family tree I'd say it doesn't suck so bad