Thread regarding Optum layoffs

@ka YES!!!! Not ka but wanted to jump in to the convo because this happened to me last year. Finish on good terms and disappear!!! You don't owe them anything - do what is best for you. Even though this situation su-ks now, if you are confident in the value you bring you will end up in a much better place, making more money and being less stressed.

@k8 So basically if you want out take the severance and run?

@k5 There is also a 2 weeks post exit period where they can cancel the severance if you apply for a job decline. They do not post this in Sparq, but those of in HR are in the know. You will only hear this in the redeployment meeting as we are not supposed to share in writting.

@j6 for those who are interested in remaining with the company be very careful. In many companies there is a loophole in the contract language stating that if during your severance period your now former employer comes back to you with an offer and you don't accept it then they have the right to cancel your severance payout. I used to work in HR and this is ones of the reasons I left. Companies are only look out for themselves. HRs priority is finding the best talent at the cheapest price. They dont value you - they value thier wallets. So my suggestion is start applying when you are ready and put UHG/OPTUM on your resume in big bold letters because I agree with an earlier post that having those letters makes you that more valuable to a recruiter.

@j6 it's almost impossible to stay in the company or switch jobs in the company unless you know someone. Likely your managers (due to being in management) knew enough people within the company to land a job.

I moved once in the company, and I applied to 80 internal jobs before finally getting one. I know other people have had similar experiences where they applied to 100+ internal jobs before getting an offer. It seems most internal jobs are posted as a formality. They often have specific person in mind already when they're posted.

I had managers laid off in September in my department and almost all of them seem to have found new jobs within the company. Was told they have a team that tries to get you a new position within the company so if staying with the company is something you decide you wanna do that might be an option for you?

I received the call on PTO the same day I was having a surgery. It was a routine procedure but it didn't help my blood pressure. So don't with this company. Sorry for the employees and the underserved customers/patients.

@ex 15 for me. :(

@OP Same here. They had the nerve to notify me on my day off too. Thought something was up though because my dir asked me to confirm my cell # out of the blue earlier in the week...asked twice actually.

I agree with @f6 - working for UHG (aka the #1 healthcare insurance provider in America) looks great on your resume and can immensely help you going forward both in getting a job and asking a higher salary. Not to mention Jan to Mar is the first major hiring season of the year - other companies are anticipating are their own team members are planning on quiting due to unsatisfactory bonuses they offered so HR starts to posts new roles in anticipation of other layoffs. This is the world we are in right now - layoffs are so common and being a "lifer" until retirement isn't either probable nor financially smart. I've been laid off twice - first time i was totally devastated and the second time I was indifferent because I knew the more companies names on my resume made me value. During the interview process when I was asked about why Im currently unemployed and told them I was laid off they were super understanding and somewhat happy knowing I can start sooner than later. This layoff isn't going to hurt your chances of getting another job in healthcare- it will help you more than you think.

@f6 - I don’t mean to sound rude and critical of your post. I have to say,
my experience speaking with other companies once they know I work for Optum, they don’t respect Optum nor UHC,,,,they are not hailed as great at all rather the opposite.

@fg You echoed exactly what I was thinking. Same happened to me. People who were not part of the "Clique": were chosen for the layoff. This is how Optum operates

I made it to 5 years and received the no notice call on Friday morning where my manager faked emotion.

What makes me upset is if you look at my paper trail, they have no cause to lay me off. Every one of my performance reviews has been glowing. I'm the only one in my group to actually complete the AI training and incorporated it into one of our projects recently like the company is pushing for. I'm also the only one in my group certified in all the tech we use.

The only reason I was let go was because the team is full of a bunch of lifers who've known each other forever from back when they were in offices. I never felt part of the in crowd.

@f4 yes agreed it’s just business .look at the NFL coaches who have been fired after doing so much for their teams over a decade or more . If your team does not make it to the playoffs you’re gone !! So while the OP did a great job for over a decade ..if the overall business did not produce then sadly good folks get cut too!

Wanted to share my recent experience ...I've been where you all are at and I promise you there is a light at the end of that tunnel. I was laid off from my dream Optum healthcare finance job and while it turned me from an optimist to a realist it also made me a much more competive candidate when I started job hunting not too long ago. Having optum on your resume is like having the golden ticket. All other healthcare insurance competitors are dying to hire UHG employees and if you stick to your g-ns they will pay you more than you make now and have half the workload. You just experienced the third most stressful life event and had the breath knocked out of you. Its is going to take time but you will end up in a better place.

It's just business.

9 years fo me, gain a lot of respect from everyone I worked with, and worked hard for every promotions, Friday it all end if in a call like
You said, hurts but I know they don’t care.

@dz There is nothing better that comes with the clarity of the moment when for that split second you realize that the manager is a potato head. Does not matter if she got ten thousands abbreviations next to her title. Most have no common sense.

Join the crowd. Seven years of long hours, mission first. What was the last thing said to me at the end of the phone call from my supervisor informing me that i would be laid off? "Have a nice day". I guess she slept thru the "emotional intelligence" training.

She could not lead a bunch of people to McDonalds. Even if she had gift certificates.

@cy it’s a week for every year. So only weeks. Pretty pathetic if you ask me.

Very sorry to hear.

It was a brutal Friday and I was also part of the RIF after 8.5 years in Optum, hard hours well beyond the 8, some weekends, worked through my PTO and put heart and soul in every role.

Last week I had my usual 1-1 with my supervisor and he was extra cordial with no red flags or clues. I have had consistent high-performance ratings throughout averaging a 4 out of max 5. It was just a shocking dry phone call from my supervisor with scripted language handed down by HR.

Bottomline: No transparency, very fake and just driven my merciless corporate greed and goals. Every employee is just an employee ID unless you are high level executive GL 31+ and taken care of by the old-fashioned buddy network.

It hurts really bad and I will spend sleepless nights and struggles ahead to fend for myself and family in this horrible job market. But I have to cope and come out strong.

Lessons learned:

1. Corporate America is Cruel
2. Try not to work for a huge corporation or Fortune company
3. Never trust leadership speak
4. Always have a plan B

Take care all who were affected.

10 years should get you a very nice severance

I too was laid off after 15 years 10/30/25. No warning, no explanation, nothing. Had a meeting with 15 other co workers. Notified of meeting was 10 minutes. I was very bitter as well. Take this time for yourself and everything will be ok. Unemployment is not much but it helps. Good luck to you and all of us who were laid off.

Sorry to hear this. I’ve been let go as part of RIF before after doing nothing but delivering and received no explanation. Su-ks. Don’t let it make you bitter and become ok knowing you will never know why it was you. One thing I learned when being RIFed was I won’t give more than they are paying me. Do your job but set boundaries. As the saying goes, you can love your job but your job won’t love you back. Good luck in this cr-ppy market!

Might be a blessing in disguise. Dude I know had his wife leave him because of this job.

I gave everything to the company and was let go after 12 years, not even a word of condolence. This just shows that you have to leave your feelings at the door when you start work and not worry about Optum after 5:00. They have no loyalty at all.

@a3 This is the first time I am seeing God's name spoken. Have faith and He will carry you through. You have to walk through the valley and He will get you over this mountain. Better things to come for you!

It helps to take the time off and decompress.

@a3 thank you

@a6 associate director

Stay strong! I would have reacted the same way. And you are right…no job is worth what you were putting in to it, especially when there is no loyalty. I hope you find something solid soon.

What role are were you in?

I’m sorry you had to go through this. Every difficulty has a blessing in disguise. Take some time to be with family and cherish what truly matters. I hope there’s something better for you soon.

Sending love. It’s going to be rough for a bit but things will get better

@OP when God closes one door, He opens another! Stay strong. Better opportunities are waiting you.