Recently, interns who were offered full time positions were only given 4 locations to work from. Telecommute and Remote is NOT an option, even for those who interned out of the smaller offices. The 4 locations are: Basking Ridge NJ, Boston MA, Eden Prarie MN and Hartford CT.
Is this a sign that for the employees who are not around those 4 locations, will be forced to relocate to one of those 4 locations or be terminated? What are your thoughts on this?
well for one thing there isnt only one optum building in EP theres like 5
Unless office space correlates with desired headcount 😉
There is way too many remote employees for their current office space, let alone just those 4. I guess they could move more people to offices near them but nothing has really changed for Optum / UHC in terms of remote / in office pre pandemic / post pandemic like other companies. They were always WFH for many. I wouldn't worry about it.
To anyone considering a job at optum, two words: run away!!! Run as far as you can from this place. You will find a better job somewhere. I guarantee you that. Work at Optum if you want to just be a number, or if you want to “improve” health care cost by burning money on inefficient engineering processes that upper management refuses to accept are broken. Work here if you want to be shunned for voicing your concerns or bring fresh ideas to the table. Innovation is always welcome, so long as it aligns with the outdated ideas rooted in place.
@2ihl+1ovqwYLY Dangerous assumption to make, we had layoffs for employees that were allowed to work remote earlier this year. Don't assume you're safe if you work remote. If this company will layoff its 5-figure remote software engineers (laughable pay for a fullstack dev with multiple YOE) then it'll layoff you. The penny pinchers at this company will do anything except layoff the bloated, useless management problem they have.
But that just means it's an opportunity to apply and work for a company that gives a damn.
“What does that mean for those who are CURRENTLY telecommute or remote, even if they are local? Half of my locally residing team telecommutes, yet some of us were refused the option. Doesn’t make any sense.”
They are trying to leverage “reduction by attrition”, so they don’t have to pay severance for layoffs. I would say that anyone who is being refused the opp to work remotely while others are allowed to do so, then you’re a target. Start looking now. Until then, ride the wave and get paid.
I would not recommend that anyone uproot your entire life for this company, unless you’re going to a place where there are other opportunities available to you should you get cut. Young people…there is no future for you with this organization. Caveat emptor.
Relocating to the big cities will bring up the cost living significantly. Optum and the gangs do not raise salary (I will even say at all) as they say during recruitment you will get raise and bonuses. It is all bs. If they force them ask for a salary adjustment and relocation coverage (highly likely they won't compensate for it). If there are no options on your table yet, get experience and quit or stay, whatever you like more. If you have other offers, consider them.
Try the Philippines!
https://fb.watch/mXpcmeo6vU/?mibextid=IEuiuR
RUN as fast as you can the other way and find a job at a company that values you and its workforce. Go to a company that appreciates you for what you bring to the table regardless of where you live or work. Go to a company that doesn't exhibit strong arm tactics.
I agree with the other commenter. Do a full background check on the company and their reviews. Check sites like Glassdoor and read the RECENT reviews. They are Horrible. Look at United Health Group, United Health Care, and Optum and all the other names. TRUTH
I think you are over thinking this. They probably just want interns to have the experience of an in office environment. My VP has said there is no plans of returning to Office and Optum was work from home friendly before Covid so I highly doubt they’re going to make people move.
Banks are in crisis over commercial real estate. With today's technology, there's no need to go into an office setting. I think if your company is forcing you to work in the office and you really don't have to, this could be the reason why, to help the banks with their commercial real estate and mortgage crisis.
What does that mean for those who are CURRENTLY telecommute or remote, even if they are local? Half of my locally residing team telecommutes, yet some of us were refused the option. Doesn’t make any sense.
I would avoid any big city now that certain people are being relocated to all cities and communities. No housing. Traffic. High rent.
Think twice before you make a big change like that. Just like when you get hired, the company conducts a thorough background check on you. You should do the same on the company. Spend some time researching how this company does business. Research employee reviews, lawsuit brought on by this company, fraud, consumer complaints and most importantly the moral and ethical behavior of the company. You'd be surprised by what you find. It might not be worth it.
They take out large leases with their real estate baron cronies and then try and get people to come to the office. Ex. Basking Ridge used to hold like 2000 employees, now maybe 40 show up