Thread regarding Optum layoffs

I've never been asked not to contact other employees impacted in a RIF and my leader is aware of contact. Plus, unless they take PTO the last two weeks you still work together during that time.

Managers salary grade 27 and grade 28 had no idea. Laid off 1/23/25.

Direct manager was laid off and notified rest of the team after the fact via text. I assumed after RIF call, they no longer had access to email and Teams. Who’s going to stop those laid off to contact colleagues? What can they do re-fire them??

“your second level manager does the dirty work hr may or may not be on the call speaking as well. Your direct manager is present as a heavy breather only since in most cases they are hearing who is gone for the first time when you hear it. They are not there to answer your questions. They read the script approved by legal and bye.“

^^^ not always how it’s done!

never been let go before and it shows. your second level manager does the dirty work hr may or may not be on the call speaking as well. Your direct manager is present as a heavy breather only since in most cases they are hearing who is gone for the first time when you hear it. They are not there to answer your questions. They read the script approved by legal and bye. Asking questions is just like asking why you got dumped in a relationship. You will never know just move on

I was told not to contact them and if they call, send them to human capital. Horrible. We have spent years with our teammates.

When my team was cut we had access to systems for two weeks, but we were told not to work. I did not touch my email other than to gather references, benefit info, personal stuff etc. Any conversations I had with people regarding the layoff, I did via my cell phone so there would be no possibility of them monitoring. I know it’s tempting to delete everything and vent to everyone, but be careful you don’t risk any severance you have coming. You can’t sign that paperwork until your last official day and then there is a waiting period after that.

Interestingly, I was let go this past Thursday. My manager told me to let her know if she could go anything for me. Was she not supposed to say that?

I have to say management is very bad, they are just horrible people. They always say “yes, yes” to big bosses, never think by themselves. They just want keep job, always agree even when things not make sense. They act like they care, but really they do nothing. It’s like fake and bullcr@p!

And good thing is, today managers who lose job now they know how it feel. They always fire people, give bad news, act like they boss, but now they no job, no power. Now they understand how it feel, no answer, no help. Maybe they understand now. Feels a little good.

The only person told not to speak to you is your manager. Depending on your situation it could either be a blessing or a slap in the face. Some of us had good relationships and being RIFd and then ghosted was a real gut punch. For many of us our managers sat silently on the call while we were let go despite us asking them questions. I understand a lot of companies do this as some professional liability protection, but it’s heartless and cold. But your coworkers do not apply to that same contract.

No, we are still working but will no longer have employment at end of March. We were not advised to cut ties with anybody laid off immediately. I also had friends/coworkers in other departments reach out to me after the layoff occurred to check in.

If you have genuine friends you will keep in touch. Go find coworkers and add them on LinkedIn to keep in touch for networking purposes. I don’t think anybody is being malicious or cutting people out intentionally.

poppycock. The reason why former teammates lose touch is they were not really your friend. You were paid to tolerate each other. No $ I dont have to pretend anymore People I liked that were let go we still remain in contact for years after departure. I still remain in contact with a manager at another company where they let me go a decade ago. How is management going to stop you on your personal devices. Management could care less they already looking for the next target to kn--e in the back to survive. And to be frank if you were on the ki-l list with term date 2/6 there is zero chance of finding a position internal. If you were a keeper they would have prost---ted your hide to another group before the culling. 3/31 term date that just means they believe you have some knowledge they need so a little more time to extract before they throw you away. Most managers dont talk to you while employed so why expect different after an event. Unemployment is like a communicable disease nobody want to know it exists and dont want to catch it. Cutting contact brings piece of mind

Hate to say it but if your teammates or manager aren’t talking to you after being let go it could just be they don’t care not to be mean but maybe they’re so worried about their own job they don’t have the time or energy to comfort you about losing yours

Who is going to stop you? I was only told the layoffs were confidential but we never signed anything and not to say anything to the current people who are still employed because not everyone comes to this site or knows about the layoffs and since managers and supervisors are being let go a they are allegedly given a chance to search for other jobs within the company and apply ( this is for those who were given a 2/6 & 3/31 lay off date) so if they find a new job they won’t want people to talk about they were almost let go and cause a stir. They also need time to transition the teams that were under them to new management or the famous “restructuring” they told everyone with the last big layoff they did last year. As far as people who were let go last week and not given the chance to search for another opening I don’t see any reason why you can’t talk to them Or reach out. You didn’t sign anything and neither did they. There was no agreement on that so talk to who you want.

100% yes. You are dead to them and don’t expect to have any contact