This has been cooking so long that it has lost shock value. My zoom meeting is on Thursday. If they tell me I am laid off, should I act like I am shocked? Or just show no emotion?
I want to hold my head high and walk away with dignity. What type of a response/demeanor would convey that?
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@2jom+18cJv2Co - funny. Would you also let them know that Cape Fear is your favorite movie?
It happened to me this summer with the PIL. I was calm in the meeting, then I made a list of the people who I loved, who taught me, trained me and cheered for me inside the company. I called every one of them and told them why they mattered to me and my career. It felt great and I've been living off the good vibes while I retool for my dream job.
Respond with their home address
Don't worry about your response. No one really cares. You are never going to see those people again, they are never going to talk or even think about you again, just like no one talks about people who retired or laid off after they leave in the 30+ years that I am here. Out of sight, out of mind. No one cares, you take care of yourself and your family.
My understanding is there will be a follow-up communication.
This 'Involuntary Separation' Feedback Form is something you can fill out.
Curious... why is it stupid to turn on zoom camera?
Message giver is prescripted response. I wouldn't turn on zoom camera for the call. That's stupid.
You should cry and tell your manager why - your huge mortgage, your children at school, your debts, how will your family survive now. While this won't change the decision, it will tell your boss what it means to lose a job.
I agree with a lot of the posts on here. I would add that it is going to be tough emotionally when you do hear it. That is a completely natural feeling, so just be prepared for that to be a possible outcome. Some people on here say show no emotion, but you really can’t know how you are gonna feel until you hear it. Don’t be afraid to ask if you can set up a follow up meeting to ask you questions, that’s what I did. I really couldn’t ask my questions in the moment when I was told in July, it was a lot to handle in the moment, but I able to ask the right questions and express my gratitude to my supervisor in that follow up w/o any issues. Best of luck in the job search, I started my new jobs three months after my layoff! The job market is better than what you think, still plenty of companies in the area hiring so make sure your Linkedin is active, apply through your university’s career portal, and take advantage of the outplacement services (regardless of the stage in your career you are at); the resume review was the best thing to come out of that for me.
Act professionally (might be one-sided, but do it).
Ask questions.
And, as another earlier poster suggested:
Once all has been said and there is long awkward silence...
When the communicator says the next word,
hang up.
Goodbyes are for 'communicators'.
Been there.. in Summer, troll lady supervisor informed I was not performing, just because one PM back stabbed me with 1 liner statement which I squashed it.
Don’t let anyone stamp on your pride and your professionalism.
Not worth!
Trust me, pasture is greener outside this bleeding organization.
I will focus on asking about job hunt assistance. What is done is done. Asking why is pointless. No answer will satisfy. Just focus on moving forward. Best way go do that is yo ho all in on job search. Find yourself a new job you love and with time you will forget this temporary pain.
When it happened to me in July I did not cuss or act with any emotion, because I did not want my supervisor informing the manager that I went off. It just wasn’t worth it, and honestly, it doesn’t matter, it is the same outcome.
Another reason I controlled my emotions is because I did not want to give the manager any personal satisfaction, or to discuss my reaction to her cronies.
It was all bs anyway (PIP) and I know my worth, work, and that I’m not defined by this id–t that is a manager, that had the ability/control to eliminate who she wanted to get rid of based on her personal feelings.
I walked away with my dignity, integrity and with class.
I think you said it best. Hold your head high. Also, remember this is NOT PERSONAL.
Without a doubt the people PIP this past summer were not all bad performers.
Also, know you will be leaving with about 1,000 other involuntary folks in the US alone. Not counting Canada, Europe, and UK.
And, don't forget all the poor folks left behind...it will be a pressure cooker with lots of extra work
with a pay cut and no foreseeable raises. You might leave and land a better paying job
with less stress. But again, you might not be leaving. Whichever, you are not alone. So, don't stress until it happens and then
Hold your head high!
I think you answered it yourself - hold your head high. Understand that some people will be frustrated and sad, but it will always work in your favor to be the better man/woman, be grateful for the chance to work at XOM, and just ask about next steps. If you have a close relationship with your communicator, feel free to push the edge and ask why you (I guess moreso why your role), and maybe even ask for a letter of rec or for them to serve as a referrer for the future.
Show no emotion and if you are in Texas, record the phone call. You never know, the recording might be useful in a future class action lawsuit.
In most cases, it is not against the law to record a phone call in the state of Texas as long as one party in the phone call consents to the recording. This is because Texas is known as a “ one-party consent ” state. As long as one person involved in the phone call agrees to allow the call to be recorded, then no crime has been committed.