I realize that nothing will ever change as a result of anything expressed on this site. For lack of a better explanation, it primarily exists for purposes of letting off steam. And with the understanding that this site is named TIAA Layoffs, as a longtime associate I'd like to nevertheless share some more general impressions about the current state of the company. Agree with me or not, here goes....
The current culture is as bad as I've ever seen. Morale at all sites is if not miserable, then catatonic. Our vaunted in office "collaboration" is by and large a myth, as most employees subject to the three day a week hybrid model will come into the office just consistently enough to remain under the radar. The company is in a cost cutting mode, so it's understandable that past luxuries like company-sponsored travel, off site team building sessions or simple social functions like bowling or a attending a local ballgame have all gone by the wayside. Still, events like that, big and small, helped provide the glue and cohesiveness that kept our people engaged and engaged. And now they're gone.
Our current CEO and her inner circle entourage of senior leaders in reality provide no substantive leadership whatsoever. Her occasional dog and pony tent show revival meetings are loud and brash, but do little if anything to promote confidence in TIAA's future. My gut tells me that deep down she understands that better than anyone, even as she tries to project the image that she somehow cares about us as individuals. In reality she is all about embellishment and self-promotion, little else seems to matter for her.
A little further lower down the pyramid, a small army of senior and middle level managers (um, excuse me, "people leaders") have sold their collective souls and acquiesced to specific changes that they know in their hearts are not in TIAA's best interests. Still, the price of dissent, even in it's smallest form, would probably amount to career harakiri, especially in the current atmosphere where long-time colleagues just seem to regularly and without notice disappear. I guess better to go with the flow and ride it out for as long as you can tolerate it.
And as far as the record keeping side of the business, I sincerely wish the company success in it's partnership with Accenture. Here again though, I don't foresee that this is going to reap the benefits that have been touted so loudly over the recent months. On paper automation and AI are wonderful tools, but they will never replace the accumulated knowledge, experience and talent of the very associates whose heads are going to be under the block. And I'm not speaking just of the Denver office. Long lasting shockwaves are going to be felt in New York, Charlotte, Dallas and the smaller offices as well. The old adage that you get what you pay for is as true here as it ever was. You can cut salaries and replace tenured employees with entry level ones, but trust me, our clients are going to feel the difference. And I don't necessarily think that they'll always view it as a positive one.
Anyway, thanks for listening. I'd love to hear what the rest of you are thinking too. Stay safe.