Thread regarding UnitedHealth Group Inc. layoffs

I was told NOT to call, text or email. I lost a few people on my team. I waited about a week and reached out to those who i worked closely with and glad I did. I think that a company who creates a culture to ignore those that are struggling and hurting is disgusting and not the “values” they tout.

Let people know you are laid off and give them your personal email. It is interesting to see who wishes you good luck and who ignores your goodbye. I had many more best wishes than ignores so it is a good feeling. I think if I hadn’t sent my message out I would have heard from almost no one - they just don’t realize or feel awkward about it.

Friendship in the workplace is a misnomer. Coworkers are not your friends. Keep your friendships separate from the workplace. Your coworkers are just that, coworkers out to make a living for their own interests.

Your “friends” are now in India or wherever else UHG can find cheap labor. No respect for the people who made them successful. If I hear “We need to remain competitive” one more time I’m going to puke. The US laws encourage this corporate greed so don’t expect it to change.

Same, here. Those "friends" are just happy it wasn't them.

No one is reaching out because we do not have time. We’re expected to do the jobs of 5-6 different people. Our free time is reserved for the 3-4 hours of sleep we’re allowed a night now.

My team got hit in the Oct round and we were specifically told not to reach out to them and not to discuss with others ‘out of respect’. And I will be honest, I had no idea what to say. We got hit again in Feb and I was on the chopping block.
I will say, it was an eye opener. I immediately started reaching out to others I heard were let go. I really didn’t know what to say except I was sorry and I wished them well, providing my contact info if they wished to continue to stay in contact.
I had a meeting with a coworker who apologized cause she said she had no idea what to say, so she just didn’t. It hurts my heart to see how few people reached out, but I see it from the flip side too. It’s a tough spot to be in all around.

Some work friends probably don't know that you were let go. I've reached out to several coworkers that I worked with in other buildings (and other parts of the country) and they had no clue I was let go until I contacted them on Linkedin. Some people also don't know what to say or how to act around you.

Do these friends even know how to contact you outside of UHC? Do they have your personal contact info? Have you reached out to them? Some people are scared to take the first step so you need to contact them–that is if you really want to stay in touch with them.

The truth is if they were your friends they would have reached out to you by now. No, HR is not behind it. No, neither is management. How would HR or management even know if they did? They cannot “forbid” anyone from speaking to you, because again ask yourself how would they ever track that?

I’m sorry for what happened to you, I really am but I hope very soon you get angry. You get angry enough to go out there and get another job. Angry enough to thrive and succeed

There are some Class-A, Cold-Hearted betches at that company, period. No other way to say it. Only out for #1! There is no such thing as a team - at Optum but they continue to push that-

Hi! I feel deeply for your sense of loss. This is an opportunity. Wipe the slate clean of UNH. Don’t use their job finding service and don’t use their EAP program. HR is behind the intimidation of your coworkers so they won’t be reaching out. Big deal. UNH is a big buyer of data analytics. If you have an idea for collecting data, you can make it into a business on the cheap. You can monetize a lot of what you know. That is where the opportunity is. This is a transitional moment. When there is fear all over, entrenched businesses crave predictability. They want data sets. Start your own data business. Someone from HR and Administration will rank this with minuses so you will avoid it.

It's hunger games. People you never spoke to will be emailing you asking on leads. Just worry about yourself.

My manager with 20 years at the company was let go this month and we all reached out, have been checking in every day and scheduling meetings every chance we get to spend as much time as possible before transition cutoff. This is how it should be and I’m so sorry you never heard from your coworkers. Some people are awkward in situations like this and think reaching out would be in appropriate. Probably no ill-will, just a tough situation. And if HR is asking they don’t reach out, people may be too afraid to try.

There is some shady stuff going on there. I left (voluntarily) after 16 years. My leadership didn’t say one word to me after i gave my notice. It solidified my decision to leave. Consider yourself lucky if you get out , by your decision or not. You will be much better off than those left behind.

Face it. UHC is a c-appy company. Sneaking around. Instead of being transparent. They are criminals. Selling bad faith insurance. Who sell a product to a consumer without any intent of honoring what they sale. It's just disgusting how no one in administration has the balls to say, hey that employees been here 20 years, let's send them off with some pride, here's a fat bonus, ur severance package and yea we don't need u anymore but thank you.

HR really told people that they can't reach out to someone they used to work with...and people listen? Whenever anyone suffers a loss, whether it's a job or something else, isolation is never the answer. How selfish for HR to say something like that that to their employees. Isn't LinkedIn all about "advertising" yourself and networking with other professionals to enhance your career prospects? HR saying that, is all about protecting the company & nothing about the person being let go. Its awkward when someone is let go, and its uncomfortable to reach out to them, but I reach out anyway. I tell them that I'm sorry to hear they are being let go, and exchange information with them. I know one day my day will come, and I would appreciate the same support.

We were told by management to not reach out to those who were let go. To be respectful of their feelings and give them time and space. They also said us reaching out could feel like a slap in the face to those who were let go.

That’s SAD dude! Remember this is still America and not even UHG can change the 1st amendment. I was laid off in December and I have friends sending me referrals and calling. Join LinkedIn and add those friends as connections.

I don't believe that your coworkers will contact you. Being laid off is like there was a death in the family. Only your true friends will support you and not someone you worked with at any company. Move on. When a door closes, God opens a window. Don't dwell on why people won't contact you, just dust yourself off and live your life to the fullest. UHC and Optum are not the only places to work. Peace to all who are suffering because of a few peoples' greed. Karma awaits those who hurt others.

Why do you expect them to be in touch with you? They are co-workers, not your family members. Even family members don't keep in touch. Why don't you take the first step and call them. What's the big deal. Use LinkedIn to keep in touch.

I read your post and it brought back memories. I was laid off in October of last year and it was like the people I thought were “friends” really showed me who they really are. I asked several to complete recommendations for me and I am still waiting and it’s been almost 5 months. What I realized is that the support I needed was not given by my so called friends. I had to depend on GOD who has never left or forsaken me. Take a week or so to digest what happened and then if you need to work, start grinding hard and apply, apply apply. I have applied for over 100 jobs and am just now getting interviews. Shake it off and know that the people who have not reached out were not your friends. UHC is a closed door and I am beginning to see how other doors can open. Based on all the comments, UHC has devastated the communities they say they are helping live healthier lives. They discard employs like trash and it’s sad that we don’t have any power except to move on to better opportunities. I am lifting you up in prayers and know that you are not alone. It will be hard but you can overcome this challenge. Don’t focus on the closed door. Focus on were you are going and not UHCs treatment. You will overcome and be blessed. I am trusting GOD for you.

I agree give them some time. I think they don’t know what to say. But from what I have been reading here the layoffs are not over yet. They are probably afraid they are next. The are probably working like crazy since you left and others. It is very sad to me so many are being let go and no news coverage about it. I am assuming this is occurring statewide. I wish you all the best and hope you find something else. It is not you but all about greed and using cheap labor. I bet they are walking on eggshells. Hang in there. When one door closes another one will open.

They keep communication about who was let go very quiet and people learn through word of mouth or when emails bounce back. If people didn’t have personal contact information for you previously, it’s very hard to get it after you’re gone.

There’s also that awkward sense of not knowing what to do or say when you’re still employed and a colleague is not. Consider reaching out via LinkedIn and I’m sure your work friends will connect with you.

Most (not all) of the people I encountered at Optum were: long time employees of UHG, they held information very close to the vest, were not helpful & came across as aloof, know-it-all's who would rather fight to the death 💀 than take a case.

My husband was laid off as well on 2/6 and he wondered the same thing. One of his co workers finally called about 5 days later and she explained that she couldn't talk to anybody, like she was in shock and some of her best friends that had been with the company for 30 years were also laid off. 27 people gone.
I think it's hard on everyone whether you stayed or were forced to leave. The ones that are left still have to worry about who is next and they also have to take up the load of the team members that are gone now. Good Luck folks. If anyone needs a good employee my husband is available to work!

I was let go Feb 6 and know that my co workers were told NOT to communicate with me - employees are nervous and intimidated. My true friends are my friends on our own time not work hours... those that delayed reaching out just didn’t know what to say and I completely understand.

I know what you mean. You spend almost more time with your coworkers than you do your family, even when telecommuting. You go thru family drama, births, deaths, illness, celebrations, etc. and you have a bond. I have not heard from my team lead in 3mo and 1 other coworker once. Maybe I just imagined we were friends. 😥

News of my layoff was shared by management with only my immediate team members which was a very small group. And then for once they didn't gossip to spread the word. I said goodbye to a few people who I worked with often but who were outside of my team and none of them had a clue until I told them. So it's possible that some people haven't said anything because they have no idea yet.

I'm so sorry you were let go; I was part of the July/Aug 2019 wave after 20+ years. There are a number of factors to explain the lack of contact, some which have already been mentioned (awkward, embarrassed, relief).

Think about how many times you really talked to these co-workers outside of work? If your only real interaction was on calls, through jabber or in the break/lunch room then chances are those are the ones you won't hear from. Then think about those that you only were in contact outside of work, was it always at work events/get togethers? if so, then you may lose contact with them as well.

In my experience it’s very likely that your former co-workers won't get in touch, in most cases it's 'out of sight, out of mind', some it's that life gets in the way. I had very few who actually kept in touch and those that did were ones that also were laid off but to be fair, I also had friends AND family outside of work who also never checked in on me. Being laid off is lonely, depressing and isolating, if you know this going into it and develop a self-care/self-awareness plan to manage it you will be ok.

Best of luck and know you can get through this.

I think people feel sad and awkward and don't know what to say. Or, so relieved it wasn't them, they are embarrassed to talk to you.

Maybe they were let go too? Also, it can be hard for people who are still employed to approach the laid off person. What would they say...better you than me? Give it a bit more time and I bet they will check in