http://www.thelayoff.com/t/1joMJ0TS
@OP+1joMJ0TS
Layoffs in Arizona Office
# Suddenness and Lack of Warning
Employees consistently described being blindsided without advance notice. Many emphasized the cold, impersonal manner of execution.
- "After 11 years working for Kemper I was fired via a phone call from HR. No warning, nothing. Just they are reducing the work force." ( Anonymous, Nov 4, 2022 )
- "I was at Kemper/Infinity for 15 years. I was laid off while on PTO. The place is a joke, good riddance." ( Anonymous, Oct 27, 2022 )
- "800 people let go today. Zero compassion from leadership. Heard it was a pre recorded message shown to those affected." ( Anonymous, Oct 26, 2022 )
- "Lost great people in Birmingham Total Loss today." ( Anonymous, Oct 26, 2022 )
- "Security was escorting out 2 to 3 employees yesterday at the Cerritos office." ( Anonymous, Oct 27, 2022 )
- "The Chatsworth office was also affected, about 4 adjusters without warning. Did anyone get offered a severance package?" ( Anonymous, Oct 27, 2022 )
- "SIU department also hit. Mike Hull and other managers and representatives. Shocking as our department was busy. Brought into a teams meeting with a generated message that we were laid off." ( Anonymous, Oct 26, 2022 )
# Pre-Recorded Announcements and Gaslighting
A recurring theme was the impersonal, robotic approach to announcing layoffs. Employees felt the company tried to deny this, further fueling anger.
- "I had the joy of the pre-recorded message today. That was so strange. They sounded like robots with zero compassion." ( Anonymous, Oct 27, 2022 )
- "Fact they are more concerned that ppl are saying it was a pre recorded statement then what they did to the employees speaks volumes. Takes gaslighting to a whole different level." ( Anonymous, Oct 27, 2022 )
- "The audacity of them to be more concerned that ppl are saying it was a pre recorded message then how they blind sided their employees speaks volumes. Puts gaslighting to a whole new level." ( Anonymous, Oct 27, 2022 )
- "Scared to go to the town Hall tomorrow. Dont want a prerecorded message saying we are fired." ( Oh, Oct 26, 2022 )
- "This company is by far the worse. I lost 3 people on my team. They did a pre-recorded message with no sympathy at all." ( Anonymous, Oct 27, 2022 )
# WARN Act and Legal Action
Many posts highlighted potential WARN Act violations, encouraging others to seek legal advice and join lawsuits.
- "Fellow Kemper employees, if you were terminated as part of the 10/26/2022 Reduction In Force at Kemper, please contact The Bloom Lawfirm @ 818-914-7397 to join a class action lawsuit for Kempers violation of the Federal WARN Act." ( Former Kemper L&D Member, Nov 23, 2022 )
- "I consulted an attorney and we have a case. Kemper violated the WARN act. Seek legal advise and don’t sign the severance release until you speak to an attorney." ( Anonymous, Nov 14, 2022 )
- "Check it out. Seems all let go in CA may have a case under WARN ACT. Yikes. They must’ve let all of HR go seeing that it seemly wasn’t looked into." ( Anonymous, Oct 27, 2022 )
- "After reviewing this case and the number of people laid off without warning, this places Kemper in breach of the WARNS ACT. Go gete'm!!! Know your rights." ( Anonymous, Oct 27, 2022 )
- "Go to https://edd.ca.gov/en/Jobs_and_Training/Layoff_Services_WARN. Help is available if you feel your rights have been violated." ( Anonymous, Oct 27, 2022 )
# Leadership Criticism and Executive Compensation
A strong theme is anger toward leadership’s behavior and pay levels, contrasted against employee treatment.
- "Poorly handled lay off. And you have Duane Sanders who makes millions. He doesn’t care about anyone but himself." ( Anonymous, Oct 28, 2022 )
- "Joseph Lacher made $8,222,255 in total compensation as Chairman of the Board, Chief Executive Officer and President at Kemper Corp in 2021." ( Anonymous, Oct 27, 2022 )
- "Duane Sanders made $2,883,135 in total compensation as Executive Vice President and President, Property and Casualty Division at Kemper Corp in 2020." ( Anonymous, Oct 27, 2022 )
- "Melissa Hill, a very talented leader, was making positive change but the good ole boy club has to get rid of the one executive female left. All remaining claims leadership is all MEN now. Are we in 2022 or 1960???" ( Anonymous, Oct 28, 2022 )
- "Duane Sanders in the townhall meeting literally just ended the meeting with 'Halt the Rumors'." ( Insurance, Oct 27, 2022 )
# Reputation and Toxic Work Culture
The layoffs amplified longstanding complaints about Kemper’s reputation, culture, and operations.
- "The reputation at Kemper has been awful for years. Few experience adjusters will even work at that company and Temps ( Contractors ) often decline placement there." ( Anonymous, Oct 28, 2022 )
- "Learning and Development ( L&D ), did their absolute best to train new hires through Kemper's revolving door. On Oct. 26th, all but 6-7 Trainers were laid off; including 4 Instructional Designers." ( Anonymous, Oct 28, 2022 )
- "Sadly, as a prior manager, I can confirm that this is not a place you want to work at if you value your sanity as I was regularly verbally abused by management." ( Anonymous, Oct 27, 2022 )
- "I used to work for Infinity/Kemper. Thankfully I jumped that ship while I could and work for a better insurance company." ( Anonymous, Oct 27, 2022 )
- "Get out while you can. Nothing out of their mouth can be trusted. Can't wait to see what BS they will spin out I'm the town hall." ( Anonymous, Oct 26, 2022 )
# Severance and Treatment of Employees
Anger was also directed at the meager severance packages and perceived disrespect.
- "My wife was let go. She worked there for 1 year and her severance was 1 week. That is disgusting." ( Anonymous, Oct 27, 2022 )
- "Thankful for the 2 weeks of pay and severance, still mind blowing." ( Anonymous, Oct 27, 2022 )
- "I don’t know how many were laid off in Dallas, but it was a lot. At least 5 managers in my unit ( including me ) and several adjusters. The meeting didn't come across pre-recorded to me, but after hearing I was being laid off everything became a blur after that." ( Anonymous, Oct 27, 2022 )
- "People have given 20 plus years to this company and this is how they were treated." ( Anonymous, Oct 27, 2022 )
# Industry Context and Aftermath
Some users pointed out Kemper’s financial troubles, industry perception, and job opportunities elsewhere.
- "Poorly Managed https://www.reinsurancene.ws/am-best-downgrades-kemper-on-earnings-deterioration/" ( Anonymous, Oct 27, 2022 )
- "National General is hiring 250 claims rep, also hiring many field auto reps across the US." ( Anonymous, Oct 27, 2022 )
- "Loya Insurance is hiring in San Antonio, El Paso and McAllen, Texas!! Not remote positions!! Submit your resumes!!!" ( Anonymous, Oct 27, 2022 )
- "Good roddanc3 I hope they get every legal action against them. And then the separation papers are a joke too." ( Anonymous, Oct 27, 2022 )
# Uncommon Opinions and Perspectives
Amid the broader consensus, a few remarks stood out for their uniqueness.
- "Please don’t name names when writing, this is an anon forum - personal info is not allowed." ( Anonymous, Oct 27, 2022 )
- "Blackout period, but I need to sell my stocks ASAP! I wonder if the Blackout applies to persons no longer with the company." ( Anonymous, Oct 27, 2022 )
- "Per Linkden MH was actually a Senior Vice President reporting directly into the President. She doesnt seem to have a good track record staying at companies." ( TheReal, Nov 13, 2022 )
- "Senior management in theft and fire were let go." ( Pip, Oct 26, 2022 )