If anything, this whole COVID-19 situation has shown just how little this company cares about its employees. The first chance I get, I'm gone. I'm just worried that due to the crisis I won't be able to find a proper replacement job for quite a while.
Well, maybe I'll get lucky and they'll lay me off with severance...Who knows.
200 let go today
Leaving the company was the best thing I did for my mental and physical health. It took me nearly a year to find something new, and that was just pre-covid. But I can tell you - the freedom of not having layoffs constantly nagging in the back of my mind and shapeshifting leadership and decision makers has changed my life and health for the better. Start today.
As a former Optum employee, I just want to reassure you to hang in there- it can feel overwhelming to find another position but they are out there. Completely agree- networking is key! One of the perks of being at a huge company like UHC/Optum is that there are a ton of people out there who have worked here at some point in their careers. So, there is a huge pool of great people out there who have already escaped ;) They also know your worth and what you can bring to the table. You can’t just rely on your connections though, you also have to be prepared to roll up your sleeves and do some work. It is work- you need to treat job hunting like a full time job. If you haven’t applied/interviewed for a while (I hadn’t), don’t be afraid to ask for help. Hire a resume writer if you need. Be prepared to put in a lot of applications. It can be scary and overwhelming, and it can feel like you are getting rejected a lot. But, the end result is worth it. I landed at a different company, with a great team, for better pay. I’ve only been there for a few months but I’m sleeping so much better without having a RIF hanging over my head (and my team’s heads). I also like working for a company that I can believe in. I love my former coworkers and miss them, but I’ve lost faith in Optum and UHC overall. This isn’t just based on the recent RIFs - it’s also witnessing a lot of bad behavior by leadership over the years, especially towards women. So, it was time to go. My final piece of advice is- just believe in yourself and know there is something better out there for you. And you deserve better!
It can take awhile, but start with your network first and build that up. It took me about 4 months to leave Optum (on my own), but it was my network that came through in the end.
Good luck and no matter what, you made the right decision to leave Optum! Get ready for restful sleep and not dreading going to work each day.
I’m hearing layoffs are back on too
I heard there maybe some coming up soon, within a month. Requisitions are being closed up and next will be layoffs.