For those who got laid off, did your manager/vp meet with you in person, or did it happen on a call. Was it individually or in a group? With all the org restructuring going on I’m trying to prepare for every scenario…
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Did this happen in Minneapolis either at The Plaza or 800 Nic ?
I've heard of this same scenario at those locations.
This was...at least up until a couple years ago, included in the 'standard' USB HR training guides for laying off certain levels of employees (14 and below).
Late on the day before or on Friday for a Monday RIF, Managers were sent an entire set of scripts that they were 'required' to use but many did not.
But having seen some of the scripts simply by chance I know that they are quite detailed and possible reactions or surprising responses, were planned for and advice was given on possible things to say, in order to break the ice, warm them up, and there were pages and pages of script options for almost every scenario.
At the same time, I also just happened on the scripts for laying off grades 20 and below and they were almost more funny, because what grade 19 or 20, doesn't, know layoffs at their level, are coming?
So Jack...how was your guys golf trip this weekend...did you hit it long and straight?
That's the 1st question after putting a sudden meeting on their calendar, sending them an IM, and if no response with 15 minutes, you are told to text them, in order to expedite an acknowledgement of the meeting, and all this is to be done directly after confirming their calendar is open at a certain time, and then you are immediately to send the pre-written templated meeting planner and IM...un quote.
My 1st response was HOLY MOLY THEY HAVE LAYOFFS DOWN TO A SCIENCE...
And my discovery was just prior to Covid and then following, every time someone I knew would be laid off...eventually I would ask them what their Mgr said at first and then how did they give you the news, were there any 'sigh's' that you could hear in their voice and as long as someone could remember the discussion...my questions were answered 100% of the time, exactly as I assumed they would be.
Yeah it was really weird...I get all these notifications at the same time, and once we connect for this seemingly fire drill, suddenly I'm asked about how my long weekend went and did I do anything fun...
Like WTF...usually then followed by the person I had asked!
@xa 1944 CIA Simple Sabotage Field Manual - Declassified
https://www.cia.gov/static/5c875f3ec660e092cf893f60b4a288df/SimpleSabotage.pdf
@eb The alternative is understanding that the employer-employee relationship is adversarial, and that employees need to band together to protect themselves from the employer and have solidarity with fellow employees before they come for you next. Broad work slowdowns, stoppages, lockouts, and so on are proven negotiating chips against an employer who would sp-t on you just as much as look at you, so long as you have people controlling the chokepoints for the business, or sufficiently large numbers that the employer can't do business without workers. Sadly, management works for the employer, not for the worker. There may have been rare exceptions to that rule in the past, but it is by design that the exceptions to that rule have been drummed out of the company. Management is just as mercenary as a worker acting alone, they'll do what's best only for themselves. They'll fire, PIP, mislead, and string along anyone, because that's what employers want them to do, and they'll be fired or be managed out themselves if they don't.
@vt sorry for the situation, was this a recent action or in the past?
I learned my position was being eliminated over the phone, ironically in the lobby of a Tires Plus store. Though, manager was 175 miles away, and he got it too. We were both 59 at the time
@c7 You sound like a person of very low intellect.
@c7 Not true. Over the past few years some people were basically "made" managers if they wanted to keep their jobs. Also, in the area I worked in, our old school managers did everything they could to protect us and support us in doing our best to continue to provide good customer service, in spite of the constant obstacles put in our way by upper management. All of those good managers have since either quit or retired to protect their mental and physical health or have been let go. Sigh.
@c7 what is your alternative suggestion to managers?
Gonna be real with you here, it doesn't matter if managers don't like it. They chose to become the pet dogs of the employer. Managers are not your friend or even your coworker. They only represent the employer, and when the employer says jump, they're there with a "how high".
In most managers’ defense, there is no perfect way to do this, and most hate this part of the job.
My manager scheduled a 1:1 and asked how my long weekend was and then told me my employment was being terminated effective 1 month from that date.
Last October my manager sent out a meeting invitation to the whole team late in the day for the following morning.
West coast team members had to call into an 8AM meeting to learn we were all laid off.
I'm glad this dumpster fire of an employer is in my rear view mirror.
When it happened to my area, we had a meeting set the next day to go to a different floor and everyone was told they were getting laid off. So our whole floor got laid off.
Not kidding when I say this, my manager did it in the parking ramp. I made the mistake of asking what the meeting tomorrow was about, and then he told me as we walked out.
Most I've known get a private meeting invite that's last minute.