There are a number of posts on this site - possibly all by the same person - that make it sound like management is out to sc--w over the workers.
Let me assure you, most managers hate this process. Sure, there are a small number of easy decisions and obvious low performers, but most of the decisions that need to be made are heartbreaking.
Worst of all, no manager wants less people, especially when they know they still have to do the same amount of work as before.
Quit with the comments about no compassion and bad leaders. This su-ks for everyone.
16 replies (most recent on top)
@r6 Mgmt is an art. Here at our fine establishment, we don't let management manage. Middle mgmt has their hands tied - you can't fire anyone for performance unless you spend the next 6 months building a case against this person. Unless you are a director level, you can only suggest ratings up and those are calibrated away often. Then the individual doesn't know (formerly) who gets differentiated which means the individual doesn't know what to do better in order to improve and get differentiated. Secrecy is the tool for subversion - same goes for salary. If we all had to disclose our salary, we would know what to strive for. How can you be a good manager if you can't show what 'great' looks like?
Corporate America is such a tangled web of complexity, all you can do in a corporation is get in the hamster wheel and walk the same direction as someone else. If you walk too fast, the other hamsters get mad at you. If you go to slow, we aren't allowed to toss you out of the hamster wheel, those are the slow hamster have to walk faster to make up for the slow hamster, without getting anything in return. What a mess we live in. All you can do is just try to be in the top 1/2 of performers and you should be mostly okay.
@qz I think managers, directors and supervisors are safe. Management is an art, and you don’t want to lose an artist. They are too valuable.
@qw Yep, and if my manager told me today that I am for sure on the list, I would immediately stop working and focus on my job search. I would come to the office every day, but I would work on my resume and job search. That would be my new “job”, effective immediately.
@q7 many managers and directors don't know if they're safe themselves, much less their employees at this point. They do read it. But they're also at risk.
What a d-mb answer. If your manager says your chance of being laid off is 50%, or 60% or 75%, it isn't helpful at all. the only information that helps is yes or no.
You can’t let people know they are at risk in a direct way. Even if you know them well you can just drop subtle hints. A manager can get fired for being honest. It is part of the managerial code. Ye shall never tell the truth.
Managers read The Layoff too. At the very least you could warn employees early if you are quite certain their job is at high risk.
I can only speak to my direct manager (director) who has been terrible during this process. Has done nothing to communicate, check-in, or support the team during this time. This is despite the plethora of resources the company has provide leaders to do so. CP compensates them more than fair to step up for individual contributors during times like this. The real job of these leaders is not about being in charge, it’s about taking care of those in their charge. To support those who are responsible for the job. Leadership is a choice it is not a rank.
Just do you work and carry on no matter what you say or cry or criticize you have no absolutely no control whatsoever over what happens pick your head up and move forward to your next step.
Poor Baby, got your manager feelings hurt. While good workers get laid off your sniveling incompetent manager or supervisor a s s will still be there.
Don’t tell people who are going to get laid off how to feel or what to say, just another sign of how you should not have been a manager.
@OP cry me a river. I can guarantee the employees being let go by all of the "kind hearted management" crew do not share your sentiments.
@op I am glad you said that. I think that is most generally true. Its been said on other posts, those that stay behind aren't just gonna be able to relax in the shade on Nov 12th, there is still the same amount of work to be done but with 1/4 the amount of people to do it. Maybe we will relieve work eventually, but it is not happening day 1. Until then, does ELT expect 80 hour weeks if your team went from 4 down to 2? How do you bridge that gap? Work has to slip, there is no other option.
Well I know the company managers on site care. However, those who make the decisions at site are bullies. I worked at Surmont 2 from commissioning until I left 5 years later. I was a steam plant control room operator and everyone I worked with will say that I was dedicated. I was rated high by my supervisors on every single semi annual review. I was control room all the time and I was great at my job, pleasant to work with.
Then I was told to go in the field for one week then the control room.
That’s when I left, at 56 years old. Ive never been demoted but upper management don’t care.
Found the middle mgmt operative here to reinforce our SPIRIT values! Thank you for your loyal service 🫡
Are middle and lower management now able to select talent? I thought it was still the upper management who gets to fill in the boxes all the way down. It is hard to feel sorry for the people who are guaranteed a job after all this is said and done.
Sorry, COP managers are an upcoming case study in how not to manage employees.