24 hours since announcement and nobody is talking about it? 9 Month pay. Check out on 11/30 or 12/31. It was pulled from lifeatford, but I have a pdf.
52 replies (most recent on top)
To @6kcv+16D4btdz. Yes, same here. I just missed the "Phased Retirement Program" a couple years ago which was a sweet deal (18 months!). It was added unexpectedly to give some anointed individuals a golden parachute. That won't happen again. I am in the same situation as last poster but not married. Want to go to Philippines to correct that problem but S.E. Asia off limits to Americans at the moment due to C-19. So I am an "active" retiree. How much do you want to bet I won't get the offer because some bozo thinks I'm critical skill. I'll critical skill my @$$ until borders open up.
To tough= guy @6iry+16D4btdz
You know, I'm adult neouhg to admit you are right. I will forgo the VIP, wait until 2nd quarter to get the involutary tap on the shoulder (so will collect almost another 6 months' pay), still get 9 months separation, then wait a bit to collect unemployment (afterall, my layoff will be due to over-reaction, I mean "COVID", right? I know people whom did the exact same thing in 2019 when they got tapped on the shoulder). When the unemployment runs out in about 5 months or so, then will file for retirement.
Between my wife and I, we have nearly $2 million in cash, savings, and assets - because I do spend time & effort war gaming scenarios and outcomes. So, nice try, but not going to starve. It always pays to plan ahead and have a exit strategy. I don't feel the least bit of anything for Ford anymore, not after the 20 + years of c-ap and enough "causal" overtime that if added up would add another 2 years to my pension...nope, I am literally done and not going to worry about the company or losing a job anymore. Finally feels good after all these years to see a light at the end of a tunnel.
Of course the only thing that can screw it up is if Ford passes me over again like they did on 2019 (I literally voulnteer to get layed off, as I did not qualify in 2018 for the VIP as I was too young at the time) Knowing how Ford operates, that will likely what happens! That how sad it is to work at this company in this day and age.....
can you post the pdf? or the text from it?
@JustALOngTimerNot GoingToLIveAfraid -
For somebody who considers this an elaborate hoax, you sure spent a lot of time looking at it and war gaming. The Freep is in on it too.
BTW, from your response, I wouldn't take it. You will starve elsewhere.
Make plans even if you don't plan on taking the buy-out. I'm sure that Ford has goals to meet on the headcount they want to reduce. If this isn't met, then the involuntary lay-off's will occur.
Good luck everyone!
: @5rjo+16D4btdz I learned long ago that the management team is not intelligent enough or motivated enough to do things like psych-ops
Every disastrous decision or action at Ford in past 3 decades that I have been aware of was due to one of the following:
management incompetence
or manager attempting to eliminate a competitor for a promotion.
Most were due to sheer incompetence. This includes technical incompetence and people skills incompetence (unable to distinguish between employees who are snake oil salesmen and a truthful competent workers.
One of the things I admired about Mulally was his ability to see thru the snake oil salesmen .
Unfortunately Bill does not have this trait.
I'm doing what poster @5rjo+16D4btdz is doing, but one better. Selling hosue and moving the fam down south. Wife's mother is down there already, and is having health issues, so we have to move closer as Mom is too old and not health enough to move up here, and wife's lousy brother is too busy to worry about his own mother.
The change of sceenary will do all of us good; moreover, I have already talk about it with my L6, adn he is cool with it since it is a family issue. If and When Ford demands IT folks show up in an office (even for one day a week) AND/OR they have VIP packages offered this year or more SRD next year, I'll already be in a retirement area, so with 25 years in, maybe I'll just do that insetad of showing up at an office - I don't fear covid as much as the stupidity and reduntacy that goes on in the company.
First, did the original posters (and the others who claim they also saw they same thing) every stop to think that maybe management is praticing psyops on all of you? I mean, if you have nothing better to do that check out Life@Ford on a random Tuesday moring, maybe management is sending a message to you to think long and hard about taking the VIP package when they come up, as you really don't have that much to do, right?
Second, to the tough guy who posted the supposed VIP plan lanaguge that was removed from LIde@Ford website....except for dates and a few other minor details, that language looks the smae as the last two VIP offerings. In other words, standard corporate mumble jumble which could have been saved from 2018 when VIP was last offered and then a few details changed to fit the narrative. It literally proves nothing.
Third, whio really cares? Does it really matter? ? At the end of the day, to the people likely impacted (i .e. those eligible for VIP), it makes not a bit of difference if VIP is offered or not, or when it is offered. When it is offered, you review the package vs. your perosnal situation, and make a decision to accept or decline. The people who are eligible should have their sh– toghter so they should be preparred to move along...if not, that is on them, not Ford. Ford never promised any of us lifetime employment. In fact quite the oppisite....
As if anyone cares - but I know I am likley to get the VIP email if it is offered this year. I will be 56 this fall, and will have 22 years in this company. I may take the offer, or wait until 2021 and try to figure out when they will go with involuntaries and then just submit for retirement instead by end of 2nd quarter. I do know it will be my decision, however, and I will be preparred regardless. The rest of this year I will get my resume updated, focus on learning new skills instead of taking on a bunch of work, and sign up with a sh–load of recrutiers and job boards to get ready for whatever happens.
Everyone who reads this post has that same opportunity to get ready for whatever will come in 2021, so instead of b–ching about what may happend, just go ahead and take care of yourself first. One thing Ford does a better job tan most companies is this - if you have worked for them for a number of years, they will do a decent job of taking care of you so you don't crash and burn, you have something to fall back (if you have work at Fiord for 20 + years) on for about a year to make it not so bad. Plus, as someone added to this thread, many of the people who either took the VIP in 2018 or were SRD'ed on 2019 are doing OK.
FORD COULD EASILY CUT 20% HEAD COUNT REDUCTION. GSR AND MANAGEMENT. GO FORD? ALL THE BEST. DELIVER BEST QUALITY PRODUCT AND BE PROFITABLE. ALL EMPLOYEES MUST DRIVE FORD PRODUCT ONLY.
Waiting to see what’s offered in Canada.....
"They are doing this to avoid age discrimination lawsuits. This offer serves many purposes. It gets an older class of employees off the books in a "voluntantary" manner with what would amount to severance pay if it were "involuntary".
It also - again reduces high due to older employees off the books. It also targets pension eligible employees so that the growth of the plan stops - these defined benefit plans are very expensive.
Without a doubt an SRD follows right behind this "offer" more than likely similar to 2019 and will happen in May. This where they will get older employees off the books with higher salaries and potentially HC costs due to age and with less chance of age discrimination lawsuits since the VIP takers will help balance the SRD average age."
Ok so.... What happens if they get a low take rate with VIP? What happens if they don't get the people they want out with VIP? The problem with what you're saying is that there are A LOT of retirement eligible employees riding things out/sitting the fence, and Ford is banking on them taking the VIP. Given their numbers, there is a strong possibility there are a lot of VIP holdouts, and the package numbers to me aren't big enough to convince me they'll get a lot of hand raisers- more of the same. With the next SRD, they're probably still going to target those over 40, largely those that aren't retirement eligible. So Ford is back to the same place with the same problem and they haven't been able to help themselves in the past with the over 40 population. This will prove no different and by offering it to everybody I can start to get my arms around your rationale.
Remember you don't have to join or be part of a class action to initiate an age claim. There can be strong stand alone cases. The biases in involuntary actions are certainly a part of it, but it's by no means the whole ball game. What have their hiring practices looked like in the last x years? Were people who left the work group, especially those over 40, routinely replaced by younger workers? Did an over 40 employee who consistently got TA's for the last how many years routinely get passed over for promotion to 20 somethings? And on and on and on... Those part of the SRD who are over 40 can start to connect the dots, leading to an argument that there are anti-diverse practices in a diverse and inclusive policy environment.
I'm not sure it's as easy as they'll just terminate you. If they separate you involuntarily and without severance, they can't control the eligibility of unemployment or the lawsuits. A lot if not all is governed by state law and very few "firings" exclude unemployment benefits. In fact there are times when those who voluntarily quit are awarded unemployment. To that, what would the company hang their hat on when other divisions (like maybe Credit) adopt a voluntary 100% remote policy? How about those in low cost countries who work the jobs remotely? How could they logically say that a 25 year+ GSR employee with a strong history of performance and strong performance during Covid now suddenly has to go back to the office for something absurd like 1 day a week, especially with documented underlying medical conditions? I know of a lot of people working from all over the country, and you're telling me they're going to come back to go into the office 1x per week??? I don't think so... I think the ship is sailing on a lot of this, whether Ford realizes it or not.
I hope they learned something from 2018-2019
In 2018-2019 the bloated “leadership” took the opportunity to protect their own and expand their own.
After the SRD our GSR ranks added eight people to do all the work our tech spec LL6 was doing (tech spec was SRD). We are still scratching our heads on how that made fiscal sense.
Farley if you are reading thru the boards you need to address the corrupt “leadership” bands.
Eliminate half the “leadership”. For example eliminate the level 3 and level 5 “leadership” bands. Everyone knows most of the “leadership” “work” is make work, not advancing the company’s goals work.
Then eliminate all the LL6 who aren’t contributing. There are tons who are retired on the job. Teams operate in spite of the poor “leadership”. Empower the people.
Then eliminate all the GSR who are retired on the job. I am not just talking about 60+ crowd. We have 30 year olds who are retired on the job.
2021 is going to be an ugly year in the automotive business as the other xross town rivals will more than likely follow suit to the reductions Ford makes.
SE Michigan is going to get hit preety hard next year.
"It still blows my mind that they won't be offering the package to everybody,"
They are doing this to avoid age discrimination lawsuits. This offer serves many purposes. It gets an older class of employees off the books in a "voluntantary" manner with what would amount to severance pay if it were "involuntary".
It also - again reduces high due to older employees off the books. It also targets pension eligible employees so that the growth of the plan stops - these defined benefit plans are very expensive.
Without a doubt an SRD follows right behind this "offer" more than likely similar to 2019 and will happen in May. This where they will get older employees off the books with higher salaries and potentially HC costs due to age and with less chance of age discrimination lawsuits since the VIP takers will help balance the SRD average age.
"I'm wondering how it's going to be received when I tell them, "Sorry but not coming back in any capacity."
This part is simple if you choose to not return you will be terminated. You will not be eligible for unemployment.
"It still blows my mind that they won't be offering the package to everybody, particularly those who have grave concerns around returning to the office in any capacity."
The SRD that follows will target folks they already have a list for within business units - these employees will be selected by People Management .
@3rbx Ford had a recall on the posting. Ironic isn't it?
Was it pulled or is it viewable only by those retirement eligible? It could still very well be there, and those non-retirement eligible wouldn't have gotten the email either. It doesn't appear that anything has yet hit the news wire so by all appearances nothing has gone out. The language in the post is the real McCoy.
It still blows my mind that they won't be offering the package to everybody, particularly those who have grave concerns around returning to the office in any capacity. This would give those at risk and or close to retirement age an out. By all appearances we're all coming back in modified form no if's, and's, or buts about it and the number of required days per week will only increase. I'm wondering how it's going to be received when I tell them, "Sorry but not coming back in any capacity. I'm 100% remote now and oh by the way I'm no longer in commutable distance." Do I further tell them they had the opportunity to offer the package to everybody but chose not to do it? This is going to be a problem for a lot of people and not just me. I do know there's a lot of people right now working from the UP, Lake Michigan area, Florida, you name it., and I bet they're too trying to figure out how they are going to have a similar conversation- just sayin'.
The way things are going @ Ford there will be no island. Everyone will be in the water.
@2ktz+16D4btdz It sure would be wonderful if we could vote people off the Ford island.
VIP was pulled from the web as it was determined that the company can't afford the rich packages anymore.
Layoffs without severance are coming. Don't even bring up PRP anymore - those glorious days are gone.
My group was not impacted at all by the last round of VIP offers a couple of years ago. We had too many open positions to begin with and quite a few people took the offer. After smart redesign we seem to have even more open positions across the organization. I would like consider this offer however 6 months severance without benefits won't take me to where I consider my retirement should be. I will take my chances with the layoffs next year and try to retire the end of of 2021.
Good luck to all!
Wish we could pick who at Ford takes the package.............signed the Supplier Base.
They are going to wait until the at least the 4rth of November 2020.
I Personally did see it posted on life at ford with my own eyes prior to it’s recent removal. I can confirm it was not made up. It’s gone now...
Here's you "made up" content:
8/25/2020
1/4
Voluntary Incentive Program (VIP) New
Description
The Voluntary Incentive Program (VIP) provides a lump-sum cash severance payment and other benefits for
eligible employees who elect to, and are approved to, resign from the Company under the VIP.
Key Considerations
To accept the VIP offer, you must electronically sign (and not revoke) a Waiver and Release Agreement
during the offer window; the Company will notify you if your acceptance is confirmed
If you accept the offer and the Company confirms your acceptance, your last day of employment will be
December 31, 2020 (or November 30, 2020, with People Leader approval if eligibility requirements are
met by that date)
Ford will provide information sessions for eligible employees, to learn more about career transition
services, financial planning services, retirement estimates and application process, and post-retirement
benefits. Registration details will be forthcoming
Acceptance of the VIP offer is not the same as applying for retirement; if you wish to commence
retirement benefits, you must make separate application to the National Employee Services Center
(NESC)
Jump to a Section
Eligibility
How will I know if I am eligible?
Benefit Overview
Program Materials
Key Dates
Information for People Leaders
Additional Resources
For More Information
Eligibility
You are eligible for the VIP if you meet all of the following requirements:
You were an active full-time or TWA U.S. salaried employee at work on or after September 1, 2020, and if
inactive as of September 1, 2020, returned to active status at work on or before September 30, 2020;
You were in a Leadership Level 3 – 6 or General Salary Roll position as of September 1, 2020, and
through the date of separation; and
If you were hired or rehired prior to January 1, 2004, as of December 31, 2020, you had:
Reached age 55 and had 10 years of credited service under the Ford Motor Company General
Retirement Plan (GRP); or
Reached age 65 and had 1 year of credited service under the GRP; or
Had 30 years of credited service under the GRP; or
If you were hired or rehired on or after January 1, 2004, as of December 31, 2020, you had:
Reached age 55 and had 10 years of service with the Company; or
Reached age 65 with 5 years of service with the Company; and
You are within a decisional unit that management has selected for participation in this voluntary separation
program and you have not been excluded from participation due to a critical skill or talent.
The Company retains the right to determine whether to offer the VIP to any particular employee.
8/25/2020
2/4
How will I know if I’m eligible?
Eligible employees will receive an email at their Ford email address on September 8, 2020, extending the
opportunity to participate in the program. The email will invite you to log into the Decision Manager application
to review the program materials. This includes eligible employees participating in the Enhanced Sabbatical
program during the offer window.
If you believe you should have received an offer email, but did not receive one, contact activity@ford.com.
Benefit Overview
The VIP provides the following benefits to participants:
Severance Benefit based on your base monthly salary and years of Company service
SEVERANCE BENEFITS
WITH SIGNED WAIVER & RELEASE
Full Years of Service Total Benefits (Mos.)
0-7 3
8-15 6
16+ 9
Career Transition / Reemployment Assistance until landing
Special eligibility rules if an Annual Incentive Compensation Plan (AICP) bonus or Ford Motor Credit
Flex Bonus Rewards (FBR) are paid for the year of separation
The VIP does not provide post-employment continuation of medical/dental/vision coverage or life insurance.
More details will be available in the program materials.
Program Materials
Program materials, including a detailed brochure, an electronic Waiver and Release Agreement, and a revocation
form will be available in Decision Manager once the offer window opens.
Please do not contact PeopleFirst or any other Company representative to request program materials prior to the
offer window.
Key Dates
September 8, 2020: Offer window opens
October 23, 2020: Offer window closes at 5pm ET; requests for a November 30, 2020 exit date should be
submitted to your People Leader for consideration
Mid-November (exact date TBD): You will be notified if your acceptance has been confirmed; exit date
confirmation may be provided separately
November 30, 2020 or December 31, 2020: participants’ last day of employment
Information for People Leaders
8/25/2020
3/4
People Leaders will play an important role in successful implementation of the VIP.
People Leaders can click here for more information.
Additional Resources
Information will be added to this section regularly; check back often for updates!
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Right Management (career transition services)
Financial Engines will sponsor webinars at the following dates/times in support of the VIP:
September 17, 2020 (Thursday), 11 AM ET
September 22, 2020 (Tuesday), 3 PM ET
September 24, 2020 (Thursday), 12 PM ET
Learn more and register here
The NESC will be conducting information sessions on “Leaving Ford” for both General Retirement Plan
(GRP) and non-GRP participants. Watch for registration details soon!
For More Information
For questions related to the VIP, please contact PeopleFirst once you receive an offer.
For questions related to the retirement process, contact the National Employee Services Center at 1-800-248-
4444 or www.myfordbenefits.com
Rating
1
2
3
4
5
Comments
NOTE: If you wish to submit feedback on this page, please rate and provide a comment
8/25/2020
4/4
Submit
: @2qlz+16D4btdz You have more faith in management team than most.
I have not been impressed with the management team, or their decision making capability.
Most decisions seem to be made on how the outcome can advance their own careers and line their own pockets.
I tend to agree. There's been no rumblings and nothing leaked out to the media. I also find it hard to believe that leadership would be stupid enough to do layoffs right before a presidential election when the incumbent's signature issue is American manufacturing jobs. Bill would get absolutely torched by Trump and the right.
It's now been nearly four days since this "VIP Plan" was posted about on here. There has been no announcement from HR and no indication from anyone "official" that this is true.
Look, I'm sure it's possible we're all about to be laid off, but this kind of rumor gets posted here every three months. And a number of posters on here admit to having been SRD'd or laid off years ago. Do you think it might just be possible that someone is making this stuff up?
In 2008 After all the job cuts Ford vowed to operate a lean headcount at PD. In 2011 Ford began hiring like crazy which Ford should have resisted. Today at Ford it is worse than in 2008.
yep, big reason I retired this year. The SRD in May of 19' allowed an army of LL6's and 5's who had no idea what we actually did as a group to "redesign" the way we did business. These were the same group of managers that were responsible for the chaos that had gone in our group on for more than a decade.
After the SRD I met the LL6 I was assigned to - who I had never met before. One of the very first things he said to me was "look we all know what this SRD was all about...... it was to save jobs" and it struck me very odd since I knew they didn't save my job. It wasn't long after working with him I realized the LL6 was right - they saved his job.
There are way too many trackers in PD and not enough doing actual work. I can’t believe how many people in meetings with $150k+ salaries tracking and “supervising” and only one GSR delivering a tangible output. SMH
How on earth would I share the pdf?
Involuntary will be brutal for those just short of 30 years and not quite 55. Huge savings for Ford to push you out the door.
$hit! I won't be 55 for a few month's and the pension lump sum curve is huge over those next few months. I am money ahead waiting over taking 9 mos. pay.
Heard 2018 voluntary was disaster for a few powertrain plants where close to 40% took the package. The person who told us this is now Manufacturing VP. I keep thinking there will not be another plan exactly like 2018.
What's next —Brilliant Re-Design ?
This is just a ridiculous unending fiasco. Say they have too many people....offer packages....cut heads ALL THE WHILE hiring in more people. Only to end up after this cycle with more employees and management then they knew they needed in the first place. This is why we fail over and over.
@1gjk+16D4btdz Did they even cut 10%? I seem to remember Ford cutting far fewer employees than GM did. I expect Ford to not announce the involuntaries until after the election, as they would get seriously sideways with Trump on twitter.
People are our #1 asset. Thank you for doing all that you do.......
Don't know what happened re: the 11am announcement. Management
LL4 told us this. They already know. Also said if enough people didn't take VIP it would become involuntary.
"It's supposed to be officially announced tomorrow at 11am. "
Any word?