Thread regarding Optum layoffs

@OP completely legal. Your job was eliminated. New one is posted.. business and life is harsh, believe in yourself, get strength from God, family and friends and keep your head up. Sometimes life's hard

What do you think is illegal about it?

As long as they change the job it’s legal. In this case it’s downgraded and they would say less responsibility.

Remember that going to an internal department like “Employee Relations” or HR is not going to help. They are there to protect the company, NOT the employees

It depends, but on the face of it, it is probably legal as others have said. One question though, what is the retaliation aspect of it? Meaning did you allege something formally with HR while you were still employed? Employment lawyers will give you a feee consultation in most cases. And the vast majority of them won't take you as a client if they don't think you have a case. That's just step 1. It's a long road from getting a lawyer, contacting the company, and ever seeing any sort of settlement.

A major defense plant did this years ago. Laid of >300 mid to senior level engineers.
Three months later all positions posted as entry level. They all do it.
We were going to fight this but after exploring we decided to move on. These companies will push it forward years and years and we just didn't have it in us.

This is happening at major banks too. Basically the MBAs have gotten boards to agree: "Ai bro, just AI BRO. BRO, AI." And the boards determine that your job is worth far less as they genuinely think AI will do a lot of your tasks.

Do bears sh-t in the woods? This company does illegal sh-t every day

Depends on your state. In most of our HQ-oriented jurisdictions you are basically at-will. They can fire you at any time and unless you can prove discrimination you are just done.

The legal factor working against you is it is not the "same" job. If it is a grade lower its very likely the salary band is much lower too. Laying off versus giving a pay decrease is actually the more legally sound approach in any context I am aware of.

Always best to contact an attorney.

@OP Sorry for what you are going through, I was let go right before Thanksgiving, it's not a great feeling. Your exact situation may have happened to me.

I am no lawyer, but I have seen this happen enough, and not just at Optum, to tell you that it's most likely legal, or at least 'fuzzy' enough as to make it functionally impossible for you to do anything.

Basically by changing the grade level of the position on offer, it's not 'the same position'.

And unless you have a contractual agreement that says otherwise, as an 'at will' employee they can let you go, and hire someone else right back.

@OP - call a couple employment lawyers ASAP! This way you will know if you have a case. Best!