<human>: I'm an Electrical Engineer. Back in March my employer said they are closing our branch and consolidating the engineering departments to Europe to focus more on software since that is where the market is heading. There are approx 70 employees at my location all of which are now looking for jobs. They have not given us a specific termination date but they say that they expect it to be some time mid to end winter. Additionally to receive my severance package I must stay until the unspecified termination date. 

Since then various employees (including managers) have left to  new jobs, and the work load is getting spread across the remaining employees. To help fill the gaps in management, one of my coworkers was promoted to manager. He has gone from being a friendly colleague to being demanding and overbearing basically overnight. Asking me to work more hours, confronting me about being on my phone, etc... 

I have never been laid off before. Morale among the employees is terrible. I am feeling very unmotivated, and uninterested to work in this new environment. What can i do to find a new job since I dont know the exact termination date and I would like to receive the severance package? Is it possible to leave early and claim a severance package anyways? The severance package is about 2 months pay. How do I tell my new boss to back off and quick letting this promotion go to his head? Is it okay to tell new employers that this is happening?
Any advice is appreciated.

Can you provide a brief rundown of the text in within 3 sentences?
<bot>: Company is closing my branch. A friend got promoted and now hes acting totally different. I want to leave but I want the severance package. What do I do? How do I tell other employers?