Thread regarding Ford layoffs

Tired of the politics

A simple worker bee at the bottom of the food chain trying to get through everything. I don't discriminate, don't complain or put people through bureaucratic bs (not that I have much power do such thing anyway).
I like to keep head down and get my sh-t done, basically I love the ford os tenet about "take pride in the work".
I received multiple Exceeded with Met in all categories in recent PR, so I like to think my contributions were at least something.

I am no expert in my domain, but am passionate about skills and my work, and I have been fortunate enough to work with some cross functional peers who seems to be wizards in their domain (I genuinely idolize some of these folks).

Lately, it has become so difficult to endure politics in the team. I don't like politics and the usual bs power games that keeps happening here. TBH, I religiously avoid these kinds of behaviour. If somebody wants my help, I genuinely try to help. I don't hold or hide information thinking that it will keep me irreplaceable in the company.
But i see many people do these kinds of things.

I don't know who needs to read this, but please, approach your work in good faith, help others in good faith. If you can't help someone, at least don't hold someone else back. Politics won't take you far, being known to step up for others will. If your heart is genuine, you will make loyal co-workers in the toughest of time (or may be not, at least I don't feel like I made any, otherwise I probably wouldn’t be writing this).

It's so frustrating to see backstabbing and selfish work ethics from others. I mean, I get it, I am nobody's buddy or on fnf circle. But nobody will ever tell that they weren’t able to work with me, I have always made genuine efforts to work with everyone who needed me.

I am only stuck with Ford currently because of some personal situations, not really ready to grind leetcode and endure the soul su-king tech job interviews, but really it would be nice for once if things would improve for a better morale.

Thanks for putting up with my venting.
And I wish everyone goodluck on their life.

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| 1825 views | | 9 replies (last February 21, 2025) | Reply
Post ID: @OP+1jmgd61r8

9 replies (most recent on top)

@an+1jmgd61r8 yep, what i noticed at ford:

big manager: "my department is strategic. all you other clowns can be outsourced."

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Post ID: @hd+1jmgd61r8

@OP. I am guessing you are a young guy, full of idealism and hope. Let me tell you FMC is not for you. You should leave ASAP. I too hate politics, wanted to do my best, and helped around.

It may work for some people to turn the other cheek, but I am tired of it at Ford, because the only thing I got is two purple black cheeks. I am tired of the company taking advantage of me, so no more carrying my team while others are twiddling their thumbs.

I didn't mind sharing information, until some people took advantage of that to take over my project or gain brownie points with the higher ups. So now I do not share the insights, particularly the knowledge that took me time to acquire. Guess what? Since I changed, no more stealing projects from me, no more afraid of those that wait until most of the project is done to "take over", nobody talking about the details of my project with the higher ups, because they do not have the knowledge and they are too lazy to get it for themselves. Point for me.

During my time at Ford, I have met people. Some of them are very good at their stuff, like I am at mine. We have made good relationships, and we help each other behind the curtains. No red tape, no id--tic processes, just a chat, and we got each other's back. That's the people that get the job done. The rest are just trying to impress the managers with long and winding documents/processes/red tape, or trying to hide from the managers that they have not been doing anything. Another point for me.

I don't care about politics, not really interested in promotions, I am already at the highest salary grade for my position, and life is good, except when the stupidity from the upper management rolls down to my team. Another point for me.

I understand you OP, but the change must come from the top, like Mullaly, before there can be a change at the bottom. I am not changing back until there is a good reason for it. You do you, while I do me.

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Post ID: @fa+1jmgd61r8

Very hard to think of folks at ll1/2 level that are ready to roll up their sleeves and get into details. Not actual debug but least be very interested in details and ask questions that shows they grasp.
Current bunch seems totally incompetent. Hiding behind process.
I take it week at a time. Ready to the severance if offered. Else, do honest days work and collect pay. And not worry about where the whole sw is being pushed towards. It will come home to roost in few years. Unfortunately all these external hires would have moved on. So sad.

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Post ID: @f7+1jmgd61r8

It was never a great company but we had engineers that were smart enough and cared about the product. Our products got too complex and nobody listened to the engineers.

Just think of the failures...DPS6, I4 Ecoboost engine fires/coolant leaks, NANO engine valves, Explorer Tires...Rover, Jag, Volvo and why even build Lincolns

Lets stop making cars...No Fusion, Focus...lets cancel the affordable Ranger...

Lets get rid of 30 yr pensions cause who needs anybody staying around for 30 yrs

Lets fire a whole bunch of lifers who know a whole heck of a lot and not even ask them what they were doing yesterday.

Lets create so much complexity and not share anything between products.

Jim Hackett and his potato chip bag UofM concussion riddle brain of a nut case

oh the humanity...

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Post ID: @es+1jmgd61r8

The first thing Mullaly did was ki-l off the politics and got everyone moving forward together. BF and friends and family ultimately did not like it. Forced him out, and returned to previos toxic behaviors and processes. As expected, here we are again. That's why you don't see JF getting replaced. They don't want to risk losing their power again to someone that actually wants to do the right thing.

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Post ID: @ck+1jmgd61r8

This is the new Ford. It's been behavior that has been rewarded. Friends and family was always a thing, but now treating non F&Fs like dirt is seen as desirable to get people to quit.

Ford would rather you quit than to let you go. Less paperwork, no severance, etc. It's so much cheaper for them to have those that are safe push those of you that they don't want to keep, out. And performance is not a factor!

Toxic? Sure! But Farley is gonna burn it all down to save himself.

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Post ID: @cf+1jmgd61r8

'Instead we are stuck with a-s kissers and liars running the show. Sorry to smash your rose colored glasses, but you know this to be true.'

It starts with wall street or the majority shareholders on Ford's board.
Focusing constantly on share price and whatever can increase it RIGHT NOW
including cheapening the company.
It is a society run by bankers or money changers.
It wasn't this bad decades ago.
People were more attached to their company and had some pride in it, somewhat.

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Post ID: @bm+1jmgd61r8

OP, I commend your integrity but you alone cannot change the culture. Look no further, just glance through the posts here - you will find people pointing fingers at each other and wishing others to be let go so that they themselves can be spared.

You will find:
Some want the elderly to go because they think the elderly do nothing but collect paychecks.
Some want the younger generation to go because they think the young ones know nothing about engineering.
Some want white men to go because they think white men are privileged.
Some want black and women to go.
Some want Model E to go. Some want GDIA to go. Some want Ford Credits to go. Some want Ford Research to go.
Some want their people leaders to go.
Some people leaders purposefully give a low rating to those with whom they don't get along well with.
Some want their peers to go.

...The list can go on and on. Literally whoever you are, whatever you are, whichever department you are in, there is someone in the room who prays for you to be laid off.

No wonder no one else in the country cares about us or about auto industry layoffs. We don't even care about each other.

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Post ID: @an+1jmgd61r8

@OP this was Ford. Not anymore. This post is cope, I get it, you are searching for some silver lining in all the madness. Let me tell you something: it won’t change until merit based advancement is restored. The last 10 years have created a culture too sick to survive. We have literal mo--ns running the show now where no decisions are ever made, it’s always: let’s bring this back next week, etc. etc. etc. If the leaders possessed wisdom decisions would be made more quickly so engineers could do their job. Because they are so unsure of themselves and cover their a-s (priority 1) the company is slow to react appropriately. Now its rush a low fidelity concept out the door and have stop ships, high warranty spend, and recalls. If the leaders truly possessed wisdom they could make expeditious decisions, it would vastly improve the execution and quality of the product. Instead we are stuck with a-s kissers and liars running the show. Sorry to smash your rose colored glasses, but you know this to be true.

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Post ID: @aa+1jmgd61r8

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