I don't know about the buffs, but I do see a mod on mod the sims called "More Layoffs" by batsandbabydolls. The post says it's a 1% chance of a layoff event even starting. It seems that if you work hard during the event, you are not likely to be laid off while if you slack off, you are. That's probably what those buffs do. Working hard or slacking off does not make an event start, however, so they don't do anything unless you've already rolled lucky on the 1% roll. I don't see anything you can do to increase the odds the event happens except for download that mod. If you have professional slacker, you will never be laid off during an event. If you are ambitious, you are less likely and if you are lazy, you are more likely to be laid off. I'm wondering if I will need to do my vampire trick with this one like I did for the teen aspiration to sneak out to a college party. I basically had my vampire teen hibernate in a coffin for weeks until it happened. For this, She'll have to hibernate in a coffin while going to work. FUN!