Thread regarding Ford layoffs

How Is Everyone Holding Up?

Just touching base with all you strangers who are in the same boat as I am. How are you holding up? Wanna tell your story?

I was let go on Monday. I didn't see it coming. I was on the most profitable ICE program beginning six months ago and before that I had plenty of EV experience since 2018. Product Development EPLM.

I had been with the company over 10 years and had never had a bad review (Achievers and two 'High' Achievers when they used to do that - not a TA, but a higher bonus than regular Achiever).

Sunday night after 9pm I received a meeting notice for a 1:1 with the LL3 - whom I had never met or spoken to. My heart sank.

I haven't felt angry. At least not yet. I suppose I am feeling sad. I am absolutely terrified about not having an income. I'm trying to keep my spirits up and brace myself for the road ahead.

If I had to guess why I was selected? I'd say that my salary was on the high side - at least among my team mates. And my age (mid 40s) seemed to balance out the 55+ cuts and mid-20s cuts. And as much as I hate to admit it, as others have commented about not having someone pulling for you - I didn't have a 'buddy' relationship with any of the LL5/4/3s that I had been working for. I believe my LL6 would have pulled for me, but it sounds like they had little or no idea what was coming.

Ok, that's the end of my rant. If anyone else wants to share their's - just to get it off your chest - let it rip!

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| 3860 views | | 16 replies (last August 25, 2022) | Reply
Post ID: @OP+1inKD1Km

16 replies (most recent on top)

To the original poster - If I'm not mistaken we were teammates at the time of your layoff. For what it's worth, the planning team is reeling - total shock at your release - still scrambling to rebalance the workstreams and meetings you led. Though we didn't work together long my perception was that you were diligent, talented, effective and anxious to do good work. It's a real shame to see you go on a personal and corporate level. I wish you the very best and earnestly hope that you (and all others caught up in this mess) find your feet quickly and rebound to a new role that compensates you well.

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Post ID: @1ntk+1inKD1Km

Just hurts to do something you like for so long at one company and then just be discarded like an old sock.

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Post ID: @1ebi+1inKD1Km

Doing good. Best day of my life was getting out of the Big 3's automotive employee disposal program.

Never looked back since.

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Post ID: @1rim+1inKD1Km

Here’s the deal:
This plan was put together over 4 years ago. First it was 7000. Most in Europe but 600 In the US. Those 600 were the ones that would be 55+ by now so would have pension rights. Now is part of the next planned 8000 to go. Again they are targeting people just under 55 to avoid their legal pension obligations. 23 years will get 25% of the lump sum you would have got with 30 years. Embedded in all this is Bill Fords obsession with diversity. So white males are a particular target. Farley is saying “we have too many people” yet the last 4 years hundreds of new college graduates have been brought in. I have not seen one of them on the list of people hit. They have no pension rights, are gullible and unaware of how poor Ford treats their employees when they are done with them.

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Post ID: @1vpn+1inKD1Km

We are not being told the real reason behind this. I was let go as a SW Engineer in ADAS which is next generation driver assist technology applicable to ICE NOW and EV LATER. Before the layoff, we didn't have enough people and were having to rely on contractors and companies like Bosch (that is not cheap!). Many of the cuts therefore make no sense. I loved Ford, had been there 2 years. I turn 65 in a couple months but was not planning to retire. Was let go Monday 8/24/22. Total shock, thought I was safe. My performance was good, always finished work on or before it was due. I always stayed positive and supported all decisions even if I privately disagreed. Anyway, I"m still getting pings from headhunters in linkedin and although most are contract jobs, I've done that before and sadly, will have to do it again. It stinks that Ford takes away the SSIP matching funds for those not having 3 years! Good luck to all!

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Post ID: @1vcx+1inKD1Km

Was cut Monday morning after 23 years. I liked my job and was doing good work, but I was let go. My past supervisors and managers have all retired. No one knows who I am anymore. No one was pulling for me. Quite a few Os and TAs over the years.

I was sad on Monday and Tuesday. Today I am feeling hopeful. Yes it sucks as I wanted to end my career when I was ready. Now I am looking to the future to see what life after Ford is like.

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Post ID: @1lba+1inKD1Km

Engineers who are cut from Ford make it count
Go to competition and make sure you take market share from Ford!
I've been doing this since 2008 successfully!
They said with this layoff you are not worth keeping so show them with number that they were wrong!
Make It Count!
Numbers don't lie!
I have contributed greatly to take mid-size SUV segment away from Ford successfully!
I think they're going to cancel Edge and couple of small SUVs now partially because of my work!
Marks field Way Forward BS I still remember that!
Ford Management should know that I am a better engineer than them!

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Post ID: @1ouj+1inKD1Km

Drained honestly. Saw so many good people disappear with little regard for their efforts over 10,15,20+ years of service. It's definitely been a week of being checked out for most everyone left standing. I don't know what flavor of Kool aid we will see next week with all the meetings to give the corporate talking points but I'm over all of it honestly. Been looking for positions already. Will probably get out of auto altogether.

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Post ID: @1cyz+1inKD1Km

The ford where the rank and file would do the right thing and correct mgr errors no matter what stupid decisions the layer of clay of middle management would make is gone. Ford mgt u made ur bed now u will lie in it

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Post ID: @1prl+1inKD1Km

Just move forward. Update your resume, connect with recruiters, be open to different industries and be willing to move.
A friend of mine cut during GM’s Voluntary-turned-Involuntary Severances (Nov18/Mar19).
He left end of Nov18; posted his resume on LinkedIn. By February 1st, he and family relocated to Arkansas, now a Director of Automation/Robotics.
He’s never been happier!!

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Post ID: @wdl+1inKD1Km

I don't know what Executives tell themselves to sleep at night. Company and quality running into the ground on current watch and by lack of leadership. I read an article JF said we need to buy new talent right now it takes too long to retrain engineers. If the company is not nimble or skilled for what the objectives are the leadership at every level has failed - not its hard workers.
Do you fire whole assembly plants 3000 at a time and go find new Auto workers? No because the UAW won't let you. But no one is stopping Ford from gutting whatever salaried they want to. Who said it has to be ICE or EV? If Ford can't make a decent ICE vehicle in the top 5 picks in any segment but F150, how will EV do better? People do not have trust in Ford. Sad

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Post ID: @ubm+1inKD1Km

Contractor, still employed (for now) - I'm actively applying for other opportunities outside automotive. A lot of really great people were let go and I'm not sticking around to join them. Fu-k this.

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Post ID: @tqb+1inKD1Km

@fke+1inKD1K1
Your response was unnecessary. The OP is sharing his/her thoughts. Respect that.

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Post ID: @mlu+1inKD1Km

You didn’t see it coming. Where were you in mars. Ford laying of 8000 employees was all over the place.

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Post ID: @fke+1inKD1Km

I’m doing great, thanks for asking!
Still pulling in $20,000,000 per year!

  • Jimmy Car Car
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Post ID: @wbk+1inKD1Km

People were let go from different departments including EVs. Too many hard working and dedicated employees lost their jobs as they never mattered. That’s 3000 people who will most likely never buy another Ford vehicle.

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Post ID: @tjp+1inKD1Km

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