Thread regarding UnitedHealth Group Inc. layoffs

@hc+1jmasa297 Anyone who takes the package can’t legally speak to you in any capacity for about 4 years. Those of us who stay also can’t speak to you since it is built into our contracts.

Hi all. My name is Tara Bannow and I'm a reporter at STAT News. I'm sorry you all are dealing with this. I'm trying to learn more about the Voluntary Resignation Separation Program. If anyone is able to talk to me, please email me at tara.bannow@statnews.com. Thank you!

Does anyone know why the company is offering a buyout opposed to just straight out laying off? Is it public relations reasoning?

I'm on long term leave of absence and was called earlier today about this. I'm glad I Googled this to find this site. Woman who called me had absolutely no info, just told me to send an email. Received an email shortly thereafter telling me I will get another email in a few hours. I thought it was maybe just me and others on leave of absence, but sounds like it's massive requests to resign. I wish I knew how much money they are going to offer. I've been with the company since August 2006. Do we get to keep our medical insurance, and if so, do we pay our current premiums or COBRA? I'm on Social Security Disability so not eligible for unemployment.

Could someone clarify....if they lay you off, dont you still get the severance? So whats the advantage to the buyout?

Previous comment saying to cash out your HSA and FSA is misleading. UHC FSA is self-funded per paycheck. If you spend more than you’ve contributed they’ll just deduct the unpaid portion from your final pay. Similar if you spend the entire 2025 HSA employer contribution without working the whole year. Your HSA is your money - you don’t lose it and there are tax and penalty implications for removing it for non-medical purposes prior to age 55. Similar with 401k.

If there’s extra severance, it may be worthwhile. Maximum unemployment is not a lot.

I’m currently on a paid leave of absence and unable to access my work computer. I received only a vague notification from an HR-Direct representative who barely spoke English and couldn’t provide any clarification. I would like to attend the ‘meeting’ that everyone is referring to before making any decisions regarding this matter. Could someone please provide me with more information? Any assistance would be greatly appreciated.

I would only get $384-3300 from unemployment benefits in my state vs $22,000 via the VRSP. I was also shocked (really shouldn't have been though) when I started job hunting last night and found that many comparable positions are now actually paying more than what UHC is currently paying me. It's an easy choice for me.

I have been laid off several times---including UHC. Most important thing is to stay calm and plan your next moves. You have more options than you think. Believe me.

A couple of things. If you have any CME money, use it. If you have money through the FSA, spend it all. They give you all that money up front on Jan 1. Cash out any HSA money. That is your money. Go to the dentist now. Get your eye exam now. Get your meds filled for 90 days.

You can get health insurance through the Obamacare. Your health insurance may be subsidized at a lower cost. However, COBRA though UHC is also an option and may not cost as much as Obamacare.

Read what they want you to sign carefully. Is there a restrictive covenant? Can you go to work for a UHC competitor? Is there a non-disparagement clause? That means you can't say anything bad about UHC, including social media. Can you get a letter of reference for your direct supervisor? Do they intend to authorize your request for unemployment benefits? Some of these companies will fight unemployment claims. Is there any help with job retraining, resume building, etc.? If there are any questions, an employment lawyer can look over the document.

An employment lawyer I went to said, "it is always possible to negotiate a better deal." Might have a better chance of getting a better offer if fewer people take the package, but you might still want to try to negotiate. How about payout for PTO? Try to negotiate a better deal, if possible.

They will offer EAP services. Those are free to you and the support is helpful. Take advantage of the offer.

Remember----this is not personal. This is how they roll. It su-ks but you will get through it and there will be something better very soon.

I’m currently on a leave of absence from work because my third child was born. I’ve been with United HealthCare for over a decade, and today I received a call informing me of this. I’m deeply saddened by this news because I can’t afford being unemployed, especially without health insurance. Two of my children have serious medical conditions. God, please help us. I’ve been crying all day, and my kids keep asking me, Daddy, what’s wrong.

To the person who is contemplating su----e, please call 988 right now, please. This is not worth your life. You matter.

Praying for everyone who is feeling anxiety tonight. I am reminded yet again that corporate greed takes precedence over the mental health of employees.

Praying for who mentioned su----e. Don’t let this company take your life. Please seek help. Please reach out. Talk to someone. I will be praying for you.

Did anyone else catch that she said If you submitted, you will work until May 1st and if you did not volunteer, you will work up into a future date. So does that mean that all of us that got the meeting invite and attended the meeting meeting that if we do not volunteer that hey by the way eventually you will loose your job no matter what.

For the person who mentioned Su-cide, I am praying for you. I don't know your story. I can't imagine what you are going through. Please know that you will get through this. I have been laid off before, and realize that there are so many stages of grief. Please reach out to someone. Talk to someone. I will pray for you tonight and going forward. God bless you! For those who believe in the power of prayer, please join me in praying.

@bd+1jmasa297 Please don’t do that. Things will be hard but not impossible.

Was everyone affected notified already or are there more scheduled calls to come??

Not too far down on this thread was a person who referenced suic--e. This can not be ignored.

Please do not say that. Things will work out. It doesn't seem like it now, but please don't consider it.

They do not care about quality so don’t waste your energy thinking they do. The only thing they care about is money.

Hi from what I remember from my last layoff 2000, the unemployment does not start until your severance has been exhausted. In other words you get 3 months severance pay then you can start collecting unemployment on month 4. We were told the voluntary service was like 12 weeks for 9 years of service but the involuntary was 1 week per year so that would 9 weeks.

No kidding, wish I was getting the offer.

I don't understand why most here are upset about having this OPTION. The meeting today could have been to walk you out the door instead...like has been to THOUSANDS of others recently.

I do understand how this creates worry for the future but this will result in fewer people being involuntary cut.

I have been with company for 3 yrs and grade 23 the payout is a total of 7 wks look at the chart in the link they provided it’s equivalent to about $5600.00
Tx unemployment is cap at $591.00 a wk
In the long run if I can’t find a job at least my unemployment bank will be way more than what is offered an help me try to maintain bills

@be+1jmasa297 MN does not allow unemployment for voluntary layoff (see below) and has generous unemployment benefits. people may want to take this offer but check into your state's unemployment prior to making your decision:
https://www.bertelsonlaw.com/blog/2022/04/can-i-get-unemployment-if-i-voluntarily-accept-a-severance-package-before-i-am-terminated/

Get rid of our damned offshore centers. No one understands them and they're wrong a lot! That'll save ya.

I have been told that if you take the package and work through their date of 5/1, after your severance is paid out you can them apply for unemployment.

Been there 19 years and can't afford retirement, truly contemplating su----e

There is no requirement in the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) for severance pay. So how can you trust this company to pay you severance if you decide to stay and get laid off.

if jobs are going overseas, what about the clients that have contracts to keep all the work onshore? Does it mean that account management team is safe?

HARD DISAGREE!!! In FL unemployment only pays out $32 to $275 per week, and only for a maximum of 12 weeks. That is only 15% of what I would receive from the severance package. Plus with the severance package, at least I can job hunt & interview through May 1st. For all we know, once they have their total number of employees voluntarily resigning, they could just fire the rest of us and outsource our jobs to offshore already. I trust them not, and I stand to lose more by not taking what they're offering now.

Also while I was looking at current open positions with other companies online tonight, I'm finding a lot of comparable remote positions that are paying at least the same if not more than what UHC is paying me right now.

I work in rework hospital claims and we are over a month behind on claims. They are offering overtime and my sup says she’s never seen it so behind. So how the he-l are they gonna catch up and respond to these providers if they lay everyone off?

Guys, be aware that if you get a lump sum payment, they’ll cut lots of taxes off of that. I once received a $10k bonus, and I only saw $6k of it. Just something to think about.

Until you get fired for production or not following ppl ones and procedures. Then you get nothing!

I should have listened to my gut. I knew that UHC would do this to us. They paid all that money because of the Cyber attack and then some. They cut members benefits and us Frontline workers had to listen to members cussing and complaining all day. And now they do this to us??????? Wow. Regardless it's time to look for another job!!! If you voluntarily resign, you can't get Unemployment. I am a single parent and my child has alot of medical needs and conditions and this wþill sadly affect my child and my family. If I don't find another job I won't be able to make rent, or pay bills. Why didn't UHC give anyone any notice? This act should be illegal. They should be sued!

The VP's conduct during the meeting was utterly unprofessional and frankly, ridiculous. They disabled all our mics and the chat, clearly anticipating questions. It's no surprise there's been a significant push for offshoring, as it is evidently more cost-effective than retaining internal employees. The underlying message was clear: accept the offer or face inevitable layoffs. After 10 years I think I’m completely done with this company!

Wow live and let live people!! If you don’t agree a simple I don’t agree if anything but angry people snap off shut up!! Like their thoughts are the only way of thought, closed minded!! Be respectful and kind you don’t have to agree you are welcome to tell everyone what you think and you shouldn’t be attacked either.

If UHC is pushing for voluntary resignations, a union could potentially help protect employees by negotiating or pushing back against these efforts. A union strike might also apply pressure on the employer and affect their decision-making process.

Unions often advocate for the rights and job security of their members, and they can use collective bargaining to negotiate better terms or conditions. If the voluntary resignations are seen as a way to reduce workforce size improperly or pressure employees, the union might challenge this approach. They can organize strikes, legal challenges, or negotiate with UHC to prevent job losses. The specific influence of a union in this situation would depend on the terms of the union contract and labor laws in place.

Oh shut up. Any payout is better than what will be offered via unemployment. Unemployment caps out on payments way below what you are used to as normal pay. I have worked at other companies and the buyout is the best offer you are going to get then it all goes downhill after that. Your future employer could care less if you took a buyout obviously you have never done this before. In my state if you get any severance buyout or forced out you get nothing for unemployment so a moot point. Read the writing on the wall if you eligible they want you gone.

Is it strange that I had zero idea or notification of this even existing? No info from anyone I just had a regular day.