Thread regarding ViacomCBS layoffs

@nc This happened to me at both the senior manager and director level.

I'm only a lowly Coordinator, so I personally don't have to bear this burden, but the idea that line managers who depend on their already small teams being left in the dark as to who on their team will be let go until the day of is pretty callous.

I don't want to see anyone's life impacted by any means, but at least in this type of situation you would think they would allow managers to choose the names vs. not having a choice (not that doing so is easy by any stretch), as the managers would have a better idea of how their teams would function after such a loss.

I hope everyone tuning in here makes it past tomorrow!

@p7 you're so right. More people need to remember that they are just a number to the company.

Last year, the only people who were in the know before the layoff emails went out were HR staff for planning/costing purposes and line managers who were requested to submit their proposed layoff lists up the chain in around late May. - Typically, the layoff lists were suggested by SVPs or higher positions, but depending on the division, VPs might have been involved. The lists were only confirmed the week before the layoffs happened.

The HR planning process this time around was similar, but faster

From what I know, the layoffs scheduled for tomorrow are smaller than those in August/September '24, but they will affect all parts of the business.

If you are a line manager lower than SVP and you haven't heard anything, that doesn't mean you are being laid off; it could just as well mean you are not affected this time.

Keep in mind, a layoff does not necessarily reflect your performance!! It is purely a matter of numbers at this point.

@nm thank you. Prayers up for everyone.

I am a Director. Almost half my team was let go in September, and I didn't know about it until the morning of the layoffs. Granted, Director is probably too low of a position to be privy to any advanced info - just adding my experience here.

Good luck, everyone.

@mp That is definitely not true.

Hi! I am a manager who was formerly a manager in the 2020 and 2024 layoffs and had my direct reports laid off without my knowledge. I only found out from the direct reports themselves after they had gotten a phone call.....so I would say it could be likely that only high level managers (dept heads) know.

@mp there are way too many remote workers for that rumor to be true. Remote workers may have a higher chance to be picked, but should not be the main criteria.

There was a post on one of these threads that mentioned anyone who is fully remote and considered a telecommuter will be let go during the layoffs June 10. (Fully remote and considered a telecommuter meaning you live in a state and location where it’s not an option to commute to an office). Any truth to this?

a previous post said division under VH would be hit under streaming but smaller than september- no numbers or percentages given

0. 0

anyone know any percentages for streaming ? or any part of the company
the lack of communication is really scary

Why so many downvotes on the last post? I'm not a manager, but it's pretty clear that if they did know, they wouldn't (and probably couldn't) tell you. Why is that so hard to grasp for some of you? Common sense, people.

Yes, we may know, but we won’t tell you.

the past august september

@dz there’re august and September layoffs too???

august - your manager (no matter the title ) knows and will send a notification for a quick meeting if you are the one impacted - if they are as well then it's the next avail report
if they really don't know either the team isn't impacted or they are too
but they really do know and are unable to say. there was some direction from HR on what to and not say

sept- for some it was an all division meeting and then waiting for an email- i wasn't impacted but we waited for an all clear - our boss said they didn't know but clearly by who remained they did

i am surprised by the lack of WFH - i would much rather be home for this..

@a1 Can you explain?

@b8 I am a manager and I can confirm, I don’t know sh-t. If there was a list, I didn’t know about it

The lie being shared around is that “the List” will be finalized Monday

Who watches MTV nowadays?

Of course, managers know. They had to go through legal review.

Major award show Monday (BET Awards) I could totally see folks being kept in the dark until that’s over as to not distract from that.

I have direct reports and no direction about Tuesday. I guess either I’m going this round or the team isn’t part of this round.

I guess if managers / LT are actively making plans for Tuesday / next week that’s a good sign?

Confirming managers know. Ready to know whether or not I will or won't be included.

@OP my manager claims they know nothing, but cancelled a standing Tuesday meeting for their department … and start-dates pushed back a week by HR - good luck, folks

My manager said their manager was frazzled this week with everything going on so I imagine that yes they already know 😂

@OP yes.