#thegrassisgreener

It’s been exactly one year since my short meeting that ended my time at USAA. I stopped by here to see how things are going, and all I can say is I feel bad for everyone still stuck there. Even when I left, getting work done was already a nightmare, and from what I can see, it’s only gotten worse since then. If you can, I’d seriously suggest trying to leave. My layoff ended up being exactly what I needed to get out of a toxic place and find something where I don’t dread even the thought of work.

I was so scared to leave for a long time. I always thought maybe the problems were me. I've been gone for a year now and I can tell you with confidence it wasn't me. My stress is gone. My weekends are mine again. Leaving was the best decision I've made in a decade.

Several months ago, I was impacted by a layoff. At the time, I took it in stride - it gave me the opportunity to step back from a role that had become increasingly unsustainable, with a heavy workload, a long commute, and an environment that wasn’t particularly energizing.

I’m now a few weeks into a new position, and the contrast has been meaningful. My workload is reasonable, my commute is under 30 minutes, I’m in a bright, thoughtfully designed workspace, and the role offers a flexible hybrid schedule with just three days in-office. On top of that, my compensation has increased by roughly 50% for a similar scope and title.

I share this simply to say: The grass is greener on the other side. There are strong opportunities out there. It’s worth taking the time to find the right fit rather than settling for what feels ‘good enough.’ Frankly, Walgreens hasn’t been ‘good enough’ for quite some time.

Don't be discouraged if you are impacted today. Think of it like a new beginning ✨️

I got pushed out after 10 years when they got rid of WFH. At first it was a shock, and then came the endless job search. But I ended up finding a great new job, and honestly, there is freedom on the other side.

Leave if you can. You deserve so much better than that he-l hole. There is a whole world out there where companies actually give a cr-p about their employees. It has honestly been a culture shock.

I was let go last year and ended up at a much smaller company. The work fits my skills, the pay is a little less, but the people are great and management actually cares. Who knows if it lasts. Still, I'm just glad to be free of the torturous layoff cycles at Nike with no end in sight. So don't lose hope. There are other jobs out there. They might not all pay more, but they could offer something better - peace and a fresh perspective.

Incentives to stay is terrible. Oracle pays us below market and doesn’t guarantee job security. So what’s the point

A former coworker was laid off last year. I saw a post from him recently. He looks like a different person. Relaxed, smiling, actually happy. I'm not jealous exactly. Just aware that leaving changed something for him. I'm glad he got out.

Ex Nike here. I was at campus to meet a friend and the energy and people faces show the stress of the mismanagement company.

So glad I quit last year. My friend encouraged me to share on here for others life is better after Nike.

Welp - I did it everyone, and I have not one ounce of remorse or regret! After months of executives pushing me to work HOURS after my shift, just to appease others for their own benefit, I pushed my resume out and about and proud to say that I got my rear out of there! Grass is way greener on the other side, except mine comes mixed with sand and a nice ocean breeze! Don’t be afraid to look elsewhere for long term security, in my time with Onsemi I’ve learned that they’ll (executive level management) will never value you unless they have no clue on how to replace you if you perform critical work. After years of getting 3s on my PA despite being a top performer, I’m taking my talents elsewhere and they can take a page from their own book and learn to solve their own problems now! Guess if they mess it up they can always fill out a 5-why, but there goes that cushion that I’ve given them for ages! Wish nothing but the best for my previous team though, those guys were all-stars! Goodluck everyone!

Has anyone returned to the company after a layoff? It’s been a few years since I was let go, so interested to see if anyone has comeback and what their experience was like. I’ve realized the grass isn’t always greener on the other side. I’m also aware that the company is still going through layoffs so it may not be an ideal time to come back.

Don't sweat it, there is life after a layoff.

Keep a positive attitude and you will overcome this minor setback.

No, not at Truist of course.
After two consecutive years of $0 bonus at Truist I'm happy to report that the bank I am now with is giving me a 5-figure bonus + 4% raise (and I've only been here 6-months). Would have never happened at TFC!
Cheers to greener pastures.

I left BNY and every day I'm thankful. What you all are going through to this day sounds awful. I hope you all find something better soon. You deserve it.

Just a little background, I had been at Cigna for 25 years until this past Thursday. I wasn’t laid off because of performance, but instead due to the ego of our director. The last 2 years since this director came on they have ruined our organization and created an environment of utter chaos, anxiety, back stabbing and I would say about 70% of the org looking for a new job. In my nearly 25 years at the company I have never had a leader be so bad. But, I think that is more a reflection of Cigna as a company since the ESI merger. The culture overall has become toxic and employees are no longer valued by the company. What I can say is that since last Thursday I have been getting the best sleep in a long time, little to no anxiety and feeling calm and relaxed. With the 9 week notification period and severance I have until May of 2027 to find a job and had been applying externally since before the JE. I am currently in various stages on around 10 different positions both FTE and Contractor and hoping to have a new less stressful job within a month. So I guess being JE’d isn’t so bad when you get a month vacation and then get double paid for about a year. That doesn’t include the better sleep and less anxiety and chaos. Thank you Cigna for the job elimination!

A rapidly deteriorating culture, a toxic manager, and the bad direction Humana was taking drove me away. I couldn't even wait to be laid off. I managed to land a job where my skillset was a much better fit. Almost no overtime, a decent manager, a great team, and sensible leadership. Here's hoping the first impressions hold up. But even just the change of scenery has made me feel ten times better. Do yourself a favor - look for something else as if your life depended on it.

I was laid off in December. There was no non compete agreement to sign. I had 4 interviews with competitors lined up after the holidays and accepted a role with one to start in February. I brought all of my knowledge with me. And I’m making 15% more. Life gets better after this dumpster fire.

Just to remind you - Your new life and colleagues post dxc will treat you so much better.

The dysfunction here got so bad I had no choice but to leave. Best decision I ever made. Found a place that actually respects its people and pays decently. So weird to say thanks to Waters, but the push was exactly what I needed.

I thought moving to a giant like BNY would accelerate my career. Instead, it's stalled it. The regret is so deep I'm actively trying to reverse course after just 18 months. The supposed "prestige" and extra cash mean nothing when you're miserable every day.

If there were any other options. But the way things are, most of us are stuck here until something else comes along. I'm absolutely furious at being cornered like this. I'm sure the corporate overlords everywhere are loving these circumstances.

I remember the bad days with ALL THE LAYoffs 2014 onwards when this site was very active. I guess with all the senior employees leaving for a better life/job, or with the thousands of layoffs. Those that remain are new employees, the WORST left over employees, or ones waiting for retirement. Well from what I hear from my friends, contractors, management nothing has changed,  I am so sad to see such a great company de-evolve into what it is today. I am so happy that I got the option to leave years ago to a new better life. For those that remain, I wish a better life at Enbridge, but unfortunately I do not see this ever returning to Enbridge.

Same BS? Or are they better employers to work for?

Landed a fintech job. Base is more than my total comp was and i’ll get to learn more tech. Telecomm is dead.

Telecom has been harsh on workers for years, and it doesn’t seem to be getting better. If you have a way out, take it. I made the jump and the difference is night and day. There’s a whole world of jobs that actually value you.

I've seen a pattern recently where several former coworkers who left a while ago for what they thought were better jobs are now quietly reaching out, asking about coming back. Their new roles had hidden problems, worse culture, or just didn't live up to the promise. It's made me think twice about my own plans to leave. Before you jump ship for something that looks better, it might be worth talking to people who've actually made the move. As bad as it is here, the reality can be very different from the offer letter.

Getting laid off from IBM ended up being a lot more freeing than I expected. At first it stung, but once the dust settled, I realized I’d been stuck in a place that was going nowhere. Constant reorganizations, shifting priorities, and leadership that never seemed to agree on a direction made every day feel unstable. It was exhausting trying to stay motivated when the ground kept moving under your feet.
Looking back, getting pushed out forced me to step back and see how unhealthy the situation really was. The stress, the uncertainty, and the endless talk with very little action had become normal, and that’s not a great place to be. I was able to focus on finding something more stable and rewarding, instead of clinging to a job that was slowly burning me out.

Y'all. Optum/UHG/UHC whatever you want to
call the entity is a giant joke. Utilize your benefits and get a new job lined up. Do not sacrifice a relationship with your spouse
or children or friends for some weirdos across the country or world behind a computer. I promise the grass is greener.

I was making $135,000 as a Project Manager at Fiserv and will be starting my new job on Monday for a competitor making $150,000 to do THE SAME JOB! It's no secret that Fiserv sc--ws you with their below-market merit increases and bonuses but they also pay well below scale. It's VERY hard to find something at this time of year but I anticipate the job market will open back up by mid-January so start looking now.

My service position was eliminated after 37 1/2 years! I was planning on retiring in a few years, it turned out to be a blessing in disguise! I landed a great job that respected my field service experience with far better pay! I wished Ricoh had laid me off years before!

The grass IS greener, if your not actively looking to leave Ricoh, you should be! I wasted way to many years in this dying industry.

I feel for everyone going through the RIF right now. I was there, high performer for the company, bled for the company, and there I was dismissed.

If they offer it, take the enhanced severance package. This package gives you 50% more but means you can never work at Verizon again. I asked where I could sign instantly when presented with the this option.

I found another job that pays me 25% more than when I worked at VZW, and I was a high performing leader. Honestly, VZW is a sinking ship. If you aren’t RIF’d this go round, start looking for something better. The grass is greener on the other side.

The sun will shine again, and brighter once you are out of the VZW shadow.

Didn't you guys leave yet? Glad I left a few years ago!

Is anyone else thinking of finding a better opportunity else where if your still at Target?

I left SF about a month ago but stayed in the industry. I learned that SF was 10x more toxic than I thought… They underpay you, trap you in roles that make it harder to be competitive outside the company, and ruin your physical and mental health.
Senior leadership at SF has turned into a complete joke. I no longer feel embarrassed when asked where I work.
I hope you all actually take the leap and rebuild your lives by leaving that he-l hole.

After how everything was handled during layoffs, I spent every available minute looking for something else. After they kept us in the dark and acted like we were disposable, I knew my time here was done. Now I can finally move on and I’m not going to be looking back.

I left earlier this year:
Mainly because I could no longer accept the toxic culture. It took me nearly 2 years to find the right job. It was hard.
But I found it.

Here is what I learned since joining a new company.
Yes, Ford treats everyone poorly.
Yes, other companies care about expertise.
Yes, you have to learn new things

But the grass is currently greener in other places and the environment is less toxic.

This is true from the entry worker to upper management.

If you are unhappy: jump. The water is not that cold.

If yes, how long did it take for you to recover?

And I come back in here to validate that I was right about everything …. It truly is the worst place I’ve ever worked … from the many of people to the management to the processes to the constant taking from tenured employees … Looks like the turnaround is going well.

You only get one life. And when the realization hits—that you spent most of it working for a company with no real purpose, serving a cause that added no value—the regret can be overwhelming.

Most people will not wake up until it’s too late. You may not realize the cost of wasting your time, talent, and spirit in a manufactured corporate illusion until you are staring at the ceiling in your final days.

And in that silence, you might remember the beautiful world around you that you completely missed living in shadows of fake company culture:

the adventures you never took, the passions you silenced, the time you traded for titles, meetings, and made-up metrics that meant nothing.

EM sells you a culture—but it’s not real. It’s a carefully constructed façade of progress wrapped in ad-hoc slogans and shallow incentives.

Beneath it is a hollow system, where human potential is sacrificed daily for shareholder returns and surface-level prestige.

You may think you're winning—climbing the ladder, getting promotions, fitting into the mold. But the mold is the trap. And by the time you realize it, the real you will be long gone.

Choose carefully. Because no title, no paycheck, and no pension will ever give you back a life unlived.