Optum did offer one nearly 10 years ago. are they planning to do one more round? they asked for volunteers who were 55+ and have completed 10 years, in the last round.
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@p4 I was bullied out by someone I could run circles around, my wage was very low for my skills- wasn’t a long timer. I wasn’t RIFd or fired. This is how they target older workers that don’t fit their ‘image’ for their team.
@ft when you were laid off you should have been provided w a list of positions and ages of others also included in RIF. This is to show it wasn’t age-based. They would get in more trouble and face heavy fines if it could be shown it was age targeted. Not saying you weren’t targeted, just doubt it was based on age. Probably more to do with your salary.
@ms not necessarily. Older EE have put up with minimal raises over years while younger EE had it good in prior years and got their asking price. So they came in as high or higher than many of us oldies.
All the top workers would be taking it. Your deemed too important to leave voluntarily. Of course not important enough to treat well as an employee in general.
@ms On the surface, that sounds like a good solution. The downside is that the company has to keep starting over with people who aren't seasoned and don't know what they're doing. Trust me, it shows.
@OP I think the only thing you can count on is getting the very least you could possibly get. You'll get nothing if they can swing it. Optum is looking to pay out less; not more.
@es I see your point, but Optum has already a massive tech debt in trying to move 70-80% of its tech positions offshore.
Wouldn't it make more sense for Optum to RIF older employees since they usually are more expensive than younger employees ? Then they could hire younger employees for a lot less and save the company lots of money.
@ft double check that. I think if you get laid off or fired after 55 years old
You can take your 401k without penalty.
@gw severance is different than i buyout
@es I know specifically of 2 individuals that left last year and received severance.
@cn I cannot wait for the younger group to reach 50! Better be financially independent. Can’t touch your 401k without penalty till 59.5 and better hope the markets hold!
Enjoy the ageism - I got pushed out, top review ratings and yeah my skills are super current. Python certified, Databricks AI certified and recently passed the AI/ML ARTiBA certification. What good all that work did me!!!
@es Optum is already in brain debt bc they keep laying off ppl w historical expertise and knowledge.
@ce in the one 10 years ago they gave 9k lump sum stipend for each insured person under the employee.
@cn many
@OP I work in HR at Optum corporate. I've been here 21 years. The last one offered was around 10 years ago and as I've posted before... There won't be one again. Simple, don't hold your breath.
Here's why. There is a high level of concern that if offered again so many would take it there would be a damaging tech debt left behind. The group here that would qualify, 55 and 10 years have so much empirical knowledge the fear is that the brain drain would be impossible to manage. Simply put, NOT GONNA HAPPEN at Optum, UHC yes, Optum nope
I think that was largely for Optum Tech and other select groups. Before I was laid off I asked if this would ever be offered again. The answer was always "no plans to. " Never say never but I don't think they will because there are some people they need to retain -- who likely would prefer to retire.
Other companies have offered similar packages and they’ve even decreased the age and years of service requirements.
How many 55+ are left?
I would too take it. One QQ if you don't have insurance through uhg did they paid cobra cash?
Would take that package in a heartbeat. Many would.
@OP was a good package last time.... 18 months cash for cobra, nearly 30 weeks + severance. only caveat that you cannot even come back as a contractor.