A quick survey here for those have been laid off from UHG/UHC/OPTUM: what is your salary expectation for your next job?
If looking for internal positions post your layoff notification chances are they will exploit you and offer you way more less than 90% of your current pay. Why UHG - do you reduce my insurance cost when I am healthy or jobless?
Its a catch 20.
@Ndnp+164UCsSD - You are correct in that most of your old direct reports have already been laid off. The most recent was in February of this year. BPQM as a whole is a shadow of the department it was in 2017.
I was also part of the June 17 layoff. I got a seasonal insurance job within a week. Stayed there about 6 weeks by choice and started a new full-time job this week. I'm a 50 year d female with a MBA so age has less to do with it. Drive and will were what for me thru two months of job hunting 7days a week. they stay easier together jobs when you have a job but seeing no job helped me in that aspect.
I was laid off from BPQM nearly 3 years ago from a leadership position (Sr. Mgr). Devastated at first, but best thing that could have happened to me! I was hired by another insurance company within a month at a higher level position (director) than UHC with a 22% increase in salary. Within a year, I received 2 merit increases (any annual bonuses higher than anything I got at UHC) and am making 44% more than I did at UHC. I feel valued and as if my executive team recognizes my contributions.
I was a high performer with 10 years tenure and a solid reputation, not even 40 years old - I loved my job and didn't see it coming. I would've have shouted UHC's praises to anyone that asked back then, but no more. It can (and very likely will) happen to you.
The grass may very well be greener - laid off or not, know your worth and don't be afraid to explore other options. You may just find an employer that appreciates you and will compensate you fairly to boot!
The person who doesn't think age is a factor must be from management! Layoff's aren't personal, its about the numbers. You can be outstanding and give them your all and still be fired/layed off without warning and it happens in companies all the time! At the end of the day, if the company has a history of mass layoffs multiple times a year, it says a lot about the company. When you're over 40 it also means it will take you a little longer to find a position.
Age is just a number and not reflective of whether you will be hired, fired, or retained. You have to be exceptional, you must be smart, and you must be willing to do extra work and put in extra time as needed. Try it...it’s the right thing to do. Remember pay and PTO come and go, but UHG is a great place to be! Be smart!
I was laid off in Dec. prob bc I was on the wrong side of 40. I took some time to reflect on what it was I wanted and DIDNT want (like travel and stress). I’m interviewing with a local company w/ under 300 ppl and EXCELLENT benefits. The pay will be far less but it’s at the end of the day it’s not so much about the $ now, it’s my sanity. I need a company that values employees more than their big salary. A place thats set on building their people not laying them off.
Hi - I was in the June layoff wave. I found a new position within 5 weeks using my LinkedIn network. I have the same base as Optum gave but have a 70% bonus potential that is linked to my performance only. Say adios Optum! It’s not as scary as it seems to hit the market right now! Good luck to all!
Layoff is just a stage in life, it's temporary and definitely not forever.
I didn't see a bad part of it if you are strong enough - you get severance pay, a period of free time, and a better job later. NEVER SELL YOURSELF SHORT
Same thing happened to me and I’m a male. I’ve modeled in the past and still do. However, I was abused and harassed by young and old females in power. I was told I would abide and was afraid of losing my job so I complied until I found another job- now working primarily with males.
I was a female account administrator at the aetna in woodland hills california where I experienced the same problems. Do not ever apply there.
I was harassed and abused. They only help friends they are with out.
Such a lot of people were rude especially to each other.
This is a warning not to go there. If you are looking for somewhere else to go.
Like others have mentioned don't sell yourself short. I was laid off in november and was offered a new position in March. I asked for 15% more and got it.
I was laid off effective 6/17. I started a new job, same title, making $10k more. DO NOT SELL YOURSELF SHORT. I asked for $14k more and got $10k!
I was laid off in March and haven't started looking for jobs yet. Money's not an issue as I've always saved most of what I made and the extra unemployment money has certainly helped, so I figured I shouldn't put myself at any kind of risk for covid if I don't need to. I know UHC has already made some employees come back into the office, and I'm just not comfortable with a company having me do that right now. I'm also not crazy about the idea of starting a new job working from home, but I may just have to deal with that. I figured if a company can't respect why I don't want to work right now then that's not a culture I want to work in anyways. Once I start looking I won't accept much less than I was making at UHC though
When I got laid off in October 2019 I was just hoping for option A. Ended up kind of getting option B within a month of my position being eliminated (15% more). I was too young (29) and too early into my actuarial career to take a pay cut
It's ok to take a job that pays less than what you were making if it helps to pay the bills until we're out of the covid situation and the economy picks up. Your next position doesn't have to be your dream job or a big career move. If you just need a job and a paycheck, then accept a position that's offered to you because no one says that you'll have to stay in that job forever. You can stay for 9 months or 2 years. It's really up to you. There's no rule that says that you have to stop looking for something else so keep applying for jobs. You need to do what's best for you.
I was let go last fall and took on some freelance and contract project work. It wasn't the greatest situation around the holidays and new year but it paid the bills and I had some money coming into my bank account. I got a job offer in April and I asked for 10% increase because I was underpaid at UHC. I now have a much better paying job, better benefits and more vacation time so option B worked out for me.
Don’t sell yourself short if you can afford to give the job search some time. If you think you deserve a higher pay, seek it out within reason. I know many people who got laid off and found their next opportunity to pay 5-15% better (sometimes more). It’s not necessarily about being greedy. you have to take care of yourself financially & even the smallest pay bump can help significantly with saving for retirement.
I would also add age to this post. If you are over 50, your odds are much less to get a new position unfortunately. I hate to say it, but I’m sure I’ll get to C soon enough.
At first, I took A. Then after receiving multiple "no longer under consideration" auto-emails, I took C. Until one day, a recruiter reached out and asked for my salary expectation. I said a number (C), then the recruiter asked me is that amount really good for you? (seems like too low) So I told the recruiter what I made (honestly) in my previous role, and the recruiter said that was a good amount (A). Eventually, I received the offer with A. With more offers coming on hand, I started to think about B, and regretted that I should be more confident in myself on my abilities and ask for B. People are greedy, that's so true. I thought I was not a greedy person by not asking for B after my layoff, but have to admit I AM greedy. When you dont have something, you are eager for it. When you finally have it, you start to think about something else.
I was hoping for A but ended up with D after 7 months. In my case D means higher than previous and better benefits)
Are we limited to just one answer? When I was first laid off (just prior to Covid) I was hoping for B. to make up for all those years of UHG c-appy raises. Now, I'm hoping for A. but leaning toward C. and just getting desperate for any offer at this point. I have been careful to apply for jobs that I feel will keep me close to what I was making but can't be as picky now due to my state's unemployment rules.
I look forward to seeing other people's replies. Hopefully others have more confidence!