Thread regarding Oracle Corp. layoffs

@ab only had about 2-3 days notice to prepare a list this time - in mid March and then there was about 1.5-2wks before doomsday.

M5 here. Didn't have to provide a name and nobody from my org was impacted, though other fellow M5s/M4s reporting to our had to based on util/customer projects/forecasting related to staffing needs. It is really up to leadership as to whether they ask their managers for input or not. They are less inclined to ask for input if mid-level management are impacted.

@de M4 manager here - I set out who I really needed to retain to enable me to support certain key areas and was ignored - those folks were let go. I have no idea how I am supposed to deliver support in those areas now but TBH it seems quality delivery no longer matters

@g2 M3 here , not true , I was asked to give a name , depends on the org .

@OP 100% leaders had input prior. There is then a HR vetting and scoring process

Give me a job, give me security
Give me a chance to survive
I'm just a poor soul in the unemployment line

@de Not this time. Managers had zero input.

my direct manager cried a river when his best buddy was let go under his watch. I think the buddy have gotten too much RSU over the years so made him a big target for cost cut

@bt This is the first theory that actually makes some sense.

This is not rocket science. OF COURSE your direct managers have input. A dollar amount of salaries to be cut is pushed down from the higher-ups, and the direct managers get to provide their list of employees to whack. Higher-ups make the final decision but usually just take the list from the lower managers. This is how direct managers can easily get rid of those they don’t like or want on their teams.

This list was on budget. If you made too much you were gone…

@c1 to add to this. In September the SVP's mostly did this with their operations leads. No imput from M6's and 5's. Also, by sending the email notificaitons, they didn't loop anyone in too long before this event occured. Cold stuff. Notice how few M7's were impacted.

https://x.com/TechLayoffLover/status/2041002641803632762?s=20

Former M5 here: it depends on the org. I used to have input. The last two years, my VP had no interest in my thought as they are shaping the org.

I was part of the shaping last week and am no longer there. My M4 directs had no input either. My org restructured, reshaped, moved around. Zero conversations.

FLM here — I had no input, and MY boss/director (M4) had no input.

You should be aware that most teams do a stack ranking in December/January. This year, one of the considerations was “AI competency”. The people I lost from my team were not the bottom performers, but did have the lowest scoring in “AI competency”. This wasn’t universally true and was not the only consideration, but something I am confident is now part of their decisions.

Back in August managers were given a list from well about their VPs of people - they were given limited ability to swap out people. This time they were given an dollar amount to cut by so they did have flexibility. That being said, it can also depend on the department - sometimes management above your manager make determinations and push it down. There is no definitive answer.

If you have higher salaries and unvested RSU you are in the list. Your managers comments are not needed.

At some point your manager’s input won’t really matter and it may already be to this point. AI monitoring is going to dramatically change the white collar work environment. If your manager says you are a great employee and AI can’t correlate this it is going to cast a doubt on your manager’s assessment. A positive from this is that it will rein in favoritism and nepotism. Incorrectly reporting on the accomplishments of employees will get managers removed.

Look at it this way, when you go to the grocery store you put items in your cart and then go to the checkout and they tell you how much you owe. With AI monitoring your work everything you do will get added to your work cart. At the end of the pay period they can add up your contributions and compare it to the paycheck you are going to get. If your work cart total is greater or equal to your paycheck you are fine but if it comes up short consistently you will probably be deemed unnecessary and released.

It’s a harsh new world when big brother is watching everything...

@a6 "Learn to not give a sh-t about work. It is not your identity."

I agree with part of your statement that your job is not your identity. However, you need to care enough (or give enough of a sh!t about your work) and do quality work commensurate with your compensation. Ask yourself "would you pay you the amount you get for the work you do" if the answer is no Oracle has or will likely come to the same conclusion.

Assume that they are using AI to monitor aspects of your productivity and behavior. The majority of companies are to some level. They may not be using this for decisions yet but they are learning how to fine tune it. If you do it from your work device ie, PC, laptop, phone, email, messaging, your work... it is fair game to being monitored. Assume they read everything (bad spelling and grammar make you poorly educated). Also assume that they know when you start and stop work as well as breaks. Devices that move your mouse or scripts that hit keys for you are easy to detect.

You don't have to love your job, your manager, or coworkers but you do have to live up to the commitment you made to do your job. They pay you on time. In the US, you can quit without notice and they can fire you without notice. WARN only applies to larger numbers from the same site.

Layoffs have reduced careers to just a job. A lot of us aren't happy about this but it is a fact of life and the new normal. It should change your out of work behavior too. Stop consuming like there is no tomorrow. Don't accumulate debt and create an emergency fund that can carry you 6-12 months. Keep your skills current and develop a network. You may be looking for a new job tomorrow and every couple of years going forward. Oracle isn't the only employer doing this.

Last time They were and the list was prepared 3 months in advance to get it cleared by the legal department . Don’t know about this time.

The real answer is no and yes. No because you direct manager probably did not give final yes/no to letting you go. Many cases exist where manager was also shown the door - or will be shown the door soon. Yes because managers have to submit your annual evaluations which do give a sense of your performance, contributions and impact of loss. Do note there are many employees who were let go with Outstanding and Exceed Expectations. Do you really believe a manager will get rid of reports who make them look good?

Some additional factors which most people can't accept and company will not admit are definitely part of who stays/goes

1. Age - no job for old men/women (ageism is real, and I don't mean 60+, I mean 40 (North America), and in some Asian locations 35) - you cost too much (health care benefits) and you don't fall for the company games - we are family, work overtime for 0% raise, hustle culture bullsh-t
2. Cost - do you get paid more than your peers (time of hire 2020/2021, tenure, great performance...does not matter to the accountants, you need to go!)
3. Likeability - does your manager's manager like or hate you? Does not have to be performance related - can be positive or negative sentiment based on race, religion, age, gender, sports team you support, or just the way you laugh or look (we want eye candy in the office - sorry for offensive language I have heard this said by a VP - creepy ba----d)....
   ** Likeability beats competence any day
4. Collateral damage - they need to cut you for your age (young), your race, religion, gender, location to ensure the layoffs cover all sections to avoid a lawsuit that a single category is targeted....

Now a little rant....
Nothing personal it is business. Business is not charity. As an employee understand that everything is transactional. Your manager is not your friend. Your coworkers are not your friends. You just work with these people for eight hours. Those who love and care for you exist outside the company while you work there and after you leave or are thrown out on your ar-e. Do not do any charity for the company - extra hours and more than your role (without compensation increment). Also for those who work in Asian offices - don't ki-l yourself for your job. By making the impossible possible by working 20 hours you are making all of us suffer because that becomes the baseline. Don't die for this company. Replacement job post (or now your coworker getting all your work dumped on them with AI) will happen before your body is cold. Learn to not give a sh-t about work. It is not your identity.