Thread regarding CVS layoffs

@2rp
It wasn't just T@S.

ExDir hired from other firms too. It wasn't just H1Bs. Some had relationships outside with employees of these vendors.

Lack of oversight.

@1dm This has been a standard practice. Ask anyone in AZ they will know. Two director level people with their own companies have been sourcing contractors through preferred vendors. HR was notified and they conducted a namesake investigation. Digging into details of H1B;s of these employees would have led the source employer but they never bothered to properly investigate. Most of us employees were told not to say anything to HR unless they had proofs. Many of such sourced contractors are FTE’s with CVS now. Those who openly perpetrated this fraud are now promoted to AVP, DE roles. New leadership cannot be so naive to not know of their corrupt practices.They just don’t care. Similar questionable practices continue today. Why else are we asked to recruit contractors from T@S only. Nepotism is rampant. T#S and Baptis$ Heal## mafia which brings in and promotes their own folks. To justify promotions, flag ship products which were efficiently built by Non Ba$$$$t Hea### CVS leaders, and which was presented by Execs at Investors conference have been assigned to their cronies who then got promoted to VP. Entire teams have been reassigned to to the new leader to justify the position. DT and Exec leaders turn a blind eye towards such corrupt practices.

The H-1B visa program, originally intended to attract highly skilled professionals to the U.S. workforce, has increasingly been subject to misuse and misrepresentation. Many visa holders lack verified qualifications, and third-party staffing firms often exploit both workers and employers through substandard pay structures and credential inflation. These practices undermine the program’s integrity and displace qualified U.S. workers. To restore fairness and compliance, we urge the company to reevaluate all H-1B contractor roles and consider offering those positions to eligible U.S. citizens—especially those from underserved communities—who deserve equitable access to high-skilled employment.

@sx
Regarding hiring practices, I believe some corporations, such as CVS, may not be fully attentive to how their H-1B contract workers are sourced. A deeper investigation into the origins of these workers might reveal involvement of external companies managed by VPs or managers operating outside company policies and possibly receiving kickback.

This is fact. Lots of unofficial relationships outside of accepted contracting companies. I was pressured to keep subpar contractors regularly.

Shut up. You don’t know how qualified and excellent we are in India

Not too many cocky remarks from the engineers I see. Times up.

It is important to acknowledge some realities about the current H-1B visa situation. Many H-1B holders face language challenges; approximately half struggle with clearly expressing themselves without repetition and often rely on tools like Google or ChatGPT for coding assistance. They do require clarification from business analysts, yet they demonstrate a strong work ethic and a willingness to put in long hours to complete their tasks. This dedication often satisfies client expectations and justifies their employment.

However, what some may overlook is the cultural dynamic outside the workplace. Many H-1B holders, particularly from India, tend to form tight-knit communities in states like California, New Jersey, and Texas. They often celebrate festivals publicly and gather in groups, creating enclaves that some local residents perceive as insular. For example, it is common to see groups of OPT and H-1B workers gathering in front of movie theaters to celebrate Indian film stars or cultural events.

While it is natural and positive to preserve one's cultural identity, it is equally important to engage respectfully with local communities and cultures. Mutual respect and efforts to integrate contribute to stronger, more inclusive societies. Awareness and sensitivity toward these cultural dynamics can improve social harmony.

Regarding hiring practices, I believe some corporations, such as CVS, may not be fully attentive to how their H-1B contract workers are sourced. A deeper investigation into the origins of these workers might reveal involvement of external companies managed by VPs or managers operating outside company policies and possibly receiving kickbacks. It is reported that about 50% of Indians on H-1B visas may be abusing the program, while the other half suffers the consequences.

A practical solution could be instituting technical interviews at U.S. consulates in the workers’ respective fields before granting H-1B visas. This would ensure that only individuals proficient in their technical roles receive the visa. Additionally, it is worth questioning whether company VPs and managers conduct meetings in local languages like Hindi, Tamil, or Telugu rather than English, which could affect workplace cohesion.

@gw thank you ChatGPT

CVS IT is the worst of any company I've worked for in the past 20 years. Simple things like updating mainstream apps has resulted in computers being unusable for a day or more and most techs are unfamiliar with programs more specialized than Microsoft office. I can't say for sure where the breakdown is, but based on my experience with tech support, lack of qualifications seems likely.

Indian nationals entering the U.S. on H-1B visas may perceive themselves as highly skilled and educated. However, it's important to recognize that many of their academic credentials originate from institutions in India, especially Indian Technical college, Bangladesh, Pakistan, and other Asian or east European colleges, which while producing talented graduates often do not match the rigor, resources, or global recognition of top-tier U.S. universities such as Ivy League schools or other elite institutions.

Additionally, a significant portion of H-1B workers receive wages that are below the market rate for comparable roles held by U.S. employees. This wage disparity raises questions about the true valuation of their skills in the domestic labor market. While many H-1B holders pursue further education or certifications after arriving in the U.S., often through night classes or part-time programs. These efforts, while commendable, do not automatically equate to being “highly skilled” in a competitive and specialized workforce.

@e9+

“We” refers to those who support fair hiring, labor compliance, and ethical treatment of all workers including protecting U.S. employees from being sidelined by opaque contracting schemes.

Whistleblower protections under U.S. law cover disclosures about hiring practices that violate federal policy, misuse public funds, or circumvent labor standards. Favoring contractors overqualified U.S. full-time employees in regulated sectors is not “complaining.” It’s PROTECTED REPORTING.

The claim that H-1B contractors are inherently “more qualified” than U.S. FTEs is not supported by data. A 2021 Economic Policy Institute report found that many H-1B workers are underpaid and concentrated in lower-tier roles despite their degrees (Source: https://www.epi.org/publication/new-evidence-widespread-wage-theft-in-the-h-1b-program/).

In contrast, U.S. employees often bring equal or superior qualifications, along with institutional knowledge, cultural fluency, and long-term strategic value.
Employers are legally obligated to ensure H-1B hiring does not adversely affect similarly employed U.S. workers. Outsourcing this responsibility to third-party firms is a regulatory loophole not a justification.

While contracting firms may cover visa costs, the broader impact wage suppression, job displacement, and erosion of domestic career pathways is borne by U.S. workers and taxpayers. If companies refuse to absorb rising compliance costs, that signals a broken model not a lack of domestic talent.

@e9 The H1s are more educated, qualified, and flexible vs a FTE. Despite what you think.

Absolutely not.

Who is the “we.”

Educate yourself on what a whistle blower is. Complaining about who the company hires is not a whistle blower. All the hashtags are dog whistles.

The H1s are more educated, qualified, and flexible vs a FTE. Despite what you think.

The hiring companies don’t pay for the visas, the contracted company does. If it goes up to 100k they won’t pay and the US companies will struggle.