Credly

I was laid off from Pearson in 2022 after 14 years. HR told me it was a cost cutting measure. I got 42 weeks of severance but quickly found a new job at a better company for more money.

The other day, I was doing something at work and happened across a web site called Credly, which gives out digital nonsense, and it said "Credly by Pearson".

Credly was bought by Pearson in 2022, apparently just before I was laid off, for $200 million. In 2021, Credly had $10.7 million in revenue, offices in Manhattan, and over 110 employees, so they were losing money like crazy.

I wonder if I was sacrificed because of the Credly purchase.

I knew Pearson has purchased a lot of dead dogs over the years. Scardino, Fallon, and DJ Andy all used the company cash flow and credit for stupid gambles - and always at the expense of established platforms, retention, and bonuses.

In retrospect, what a mistake it was to work at Pearson. I haven't even thought about Pearson since the severance stopped arriving until I saw that Credly by Pearson site.

Comment! It's anonymous!

6 replies (most recent on top)

@bdlg -- and that is why you ALWAYS, ALWAYS, ALWAYS take the lump sum; they will have to come after you for it, and that is a legal hassle. Regardless, unless it is stated in your separation agreement that finding new employment is grounds for terminating severance, there's not much of a legal case for them to terminate your payments. (In my separation agreement, it was stipulated that finding new employment WITH PEARSON would end your severance agreement or necessitate repayment of a pro-rated portion of the lump sum. I got a full year's salary and took the lump sum, found employment immediately, then posted all over social media about it. They couldn't touch that unless it was specifically called out in the separation agreement that ANY employment would trigger cessation/repayment of severance. And I don't think I've ever heard of anyone doing that.)

Honestly glad they cut me they just had another round of layoffs. The leadership in sales and cs is terrible. I see them cutting top performers everytime. The VP of Sales & CS need to go. Truly toxic people. Vp of Sales there is totally s-xists as well as CFO. VP of Customer Success at Credly creates a culture of anxiety and puts people up against one another. so sad.

Credly was a smart investment as college enrollment goes down and employers are interested in microcreditials and skills. Some credly badges are worth college credits. I hate to know the purchase of credly cost some of our friends their jobs. Happy to hear you landed on your feet at a new place and you’re doing well.

Keep your new position to yourself or they will takeaway your severance. They've done it to others. I'd conceal some details of this post.

I actually thought that was one of the smarter of their purchases— as the overall global learning/credential market will only continue to skyrocket.

That said— can Pearson fold it in appropriately and have them ready to be a cash making machine?

Doubtful. Very doubtful.

I cant believe they spent $200mm on that piece of junk company. Is that really true? They've done d-mber things so I guess I wouldn't be surprised.

Thread regarding Pearson PLC layoffs

Credly

6 replies (most recent on top)

Post a reply