For those who have been through a RIF, were there any warning signs when you look back on it? Things like long periods of no hiring in the department, letting compliance go to the dumps, etc.? I get that there are a lot of rumors and opinions about this but for those who have actually been through it, I’m curious if in hindsight it was coming through stuff like that.
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There was a Townhall January, the week before my layoff notice. The guy with the South African accent, I don’t know his role, but he talks about the money and the finances, and I read between the lines a lot of gloom and doom and feeling like changes are coming. Sounded like layoffs. The next day we got a very cryptic email from Gail, which was full of corporate speak and said absolutely nothing except basically hunker down Because the storm is coming and it implied cuts would have to get made to meet the goals. Not in those words but that’s what I took from it. The next week I got laid off.
Being told about another position in the dept, applying and getting the position but not having any clearly defined job duties. Asking for work. Then all of a sudden your boss is constantly blowing you off.
In hindsight sight it was my performance review. I was always high on my goals and had metrics to support it. However, after 20 yrs the company said I was Deloping customer service and a number of other core values. Thereby bringing my overall score way, way down.
I was rif’d , went on to work over 4 yrs for a great company and recently retired. I was rif’d 3 times in my 40 yr career. Only once did I really see it coming. ( I could see the redundancies and overstaffing..). To that companies credit they kept the highest experienced and more costly employees. I truly understood and saw it as a business decision. The company - Kemper Insurance. I would recommend them highly, I was treated very well.
- the constant changing of projects and their scope
- leadership changes
- being rated partially meets for the 1st time in 13 years of working with the company (middle finger to forced ranking)
- my director telling me 4-5 months in advance that the team will be moving in a "different direction" and I should start looking for positions internally and externally
- The Rat being hired
- Finally, the 1:1 call on a thursday with hr and your manager
Reorganization of your department could be an early warning. Especially if your direct manager changes and the new individual doesn’t know you well or doesn’t understand the function.
My regular 1X1 was every Friday. One day, the meeting was moved from Friday to a day earlier, Thursday. Also, instead of our regular 12:30p 1x1 time, it was for 8:00a. That's when I knew.
I generated tens of millions of dollars for this organization. I thought I was safe because I literally generate money for the company but I guess my low six figure salary was too high in comparison to someone from India or PH.
As many other have said the random 1x1 meeting. Also the town hall meetings are all red flags in my opinion. Also the push for AI and more offshore training as well as them constantly moving folks around to different managers and departments but refusing to hire more staff despite being severely understaffed. No one is safe here. If your that concerned I suggest you start looking for something else now.
Step 1. 1:1 meeting with your manager
Step 2. HR joins few seconds after the meeting begins
Step 3. You get freedom from this stressful environment
Step 4: They tell you to leave for the day if you want to digest the news after a few HR pointers- 2 weeks pay and manager acts like he’s so sorry but he’s not as he’s saving himself and his staff vp
Step 5: It will feel it’s something wrong you did, a few tears or laughs and then it will sink in that it is what it is - grief, anger, acceptance etc.,
PitFallIsHere
@eb+1jh341kb4 That’s what they do. I have been in 3 RIFS. The first was in person with the manager and HR. 2nd meeting invite with manager and included HR. The third was a cluster of people on a Teams meeting. By far the most heartless and interesting lol. NONE had warning signs. NOW is see the signs and am fully prepared.
No rhyme or reason. Don't even worry about it because you'll drive yourself mad. If you get Rif'd accept the blessing. That's what I would do.
The manager is a d u m b a s s if they include the HR rep on the actual meeting invite with the associate.
A 1x1 manager meeting and a HR rep included on the invite = RIF.
When my area was asked to write down everything you do and the amount of time it takes, that was the indicator that our area was in for a RIF. Having open positions taken during each RIF, and then people as the year went on. My RIF indicator was a meeting moved to the Friday RIF day in October. I had a bad feeling all that week, but it was business as normal with my manager.... until it wasn't.
Why are je-ks downvoting people’s personal experiences with their rifs and the warning signs they saw leading up to the rifs?
when they asked to start training people from Carelon global solutions in India and the Philippines.
No use worrying about a RIF. Control the things you can control. I never thought I would say this but I am hoping to get RIF’d. If I dont get let go, I am putting in my notice after AIP and my next set of stock grants vest in March. High paying position but this company is going down the tubes. Looking into an industry switch.
When I was rif'd I did not see nor hear any warning indication. I suggest go about your daily work as a professional and do not concentrate on what may or may not transpire.
From personal experience, this is what I do every day.
I knew about 6 months before my rif. They took me off a high priority market and moved me to a low one. I was excluded from Uat testing for snowflake. Got a new manager that never had one on ones with me. Was treated like cr-p.
There are no set indicators. Just go about your day like a professional.
Your manager starts to ignore you.
Yes , a town hall meeting we had where they introduced Carelon global solutions on the Philippines what a ridiculous video. That’s when I knew we were sc--wed here in the states. That we would be replaced by Philippines
A sudden 1:1 meeting invite from manager after long period of silence.