The definition of layoff is the act of dismissing employees. A displacement happens when a job is eliminated and the company AUTOMATICALLY places the employee in a job with a similar level of responsibility and pay. Aflac has eliminated jobs and outsourced jobs multiple times over the last 15 years. Each time, employees were "dismissed" from their jobs. Yes, they were effectively laid off. Those LAID OFF employees had the "privilege" of applying for openings within the company for 30 days after the lay off. They had to jump through the same hoops as any other applicant. MANY of the jobs available for the laid off employee are many levels below their eliminated job...and there is no guarantee that the laid off employee will receive any preferential treatment. When your job is eliminated and you are forced to look for another job (whether it is internal or external), YOU HAVE BEEN LAID OFF.
Remember the BancTec outsourcing project? More than 160 people were LAID OFF. Those jobs were completely eliminated. BancTec hired some of those laid off employees (at a loss of pay and benefits), others were able to find jobs within the company (although at a much lower level), and others weren't as fortunate.
Compliance LAID OFF at least 20 people a few years ago. Those employees were called to a conference room and told that their jobs had either been eliminated or consolidated with other positions. They weren't even allowed to return to their desks to gather their personal belongings. They had to turn in their ID badges and were escorted out of the building. They were allowed to keep limited system access so they could apply for jobs for 30 days. They were effectively treated as external applicants. THAT IS NOT A DISPLACEMENT.
Risk Management had "displacements"
Quality had "displacements"
Claims had "displacements"
There are so many other similar situations. Yet, Aflac continues to promote the lie that they've never laid people off. And those who aren't impacted continue to turn a blind eye and defend the company...because they have remained safe and naively believe they will never be impacted. The company promotes a cult-like culture and if you don't align with the "idol worship behavior" you are labeled as a troublemaker. There is no real, legitimate culture of diversity and inclusivity. All of the people who "drank the kool aid" are of like-minded thinking. Different perspectives are not appreciated or tolerated.
The only good news is...the economy is booming. Take back control of your individual thinking and value. Actively seek out a company that truly is appreciative of your talents. Get out before they force you out.