Thread regarding Centene Corp. layoffs

Worried about people turning to self medicating

I am concerned about the level of stress Centene employees are under. One of my concerns is people who have a history of substance abuse and alcoholism may turn back to those ways due to being laid off or impending lay offs coming down the pike.
Some people may have worked hard and gone to rehab and therapy to help them with the illness of dr-g addiction or alcohol addiction. But now this company is a hazard and increases the remaining employees to turn to substances or risk taking behavior to soothe the pain. Even the ones laid off may turn to self medicating to relieve the pain.
I dont think this company realized out of the 2000 losses this week and the total 9000 rumored total lay offs by 2024-do they realize how much our mental health is affected. This is a blow for all those at Centene-those laid off and those not laid off feel the effects. And no one is saying a word. You are expected to work as if nothing has happened. That's impossible-we are human. We are not robots.
People may start abusing prescription dr-gs just to get through the day or night. I had no idea Centene operated like this!

by
| 1171 views | | 9 replies (last October 5, 2023) | Reply
Post ID: @OP+1oUmFWzU

9 replies (most recent on top)

Not only that, but it's a slow burn, even if we don't get fired in this round who's to say we're safe in 2024?

by
| | Reply
Post ID: @2elf+1oUmFWzU

Self medicating? That’s of no concern to anyone making these decisions. Unfortunate but true.

If this is the event that puts people over the edge, I think they stopped going to meetings and talking to their AA or NA sponsors.

The rest? They’ve been self medicating since WFH started.

by
| | Reply
Post ID: @1zdg+1oUmFWzU

Thank you for acknowledging this OP, because I don’t see many people talking about this. I completely agree with you. These 2,000 aren’t just numbers on a spreadsheet. These are actual people. With real lives, and actual families, who are the breadwinners for our families. Yes, we do everything in our power to save money and put money away in a savings account, but realistically, no one has 1 year of savings for all of their bills. (I know I don’t.) Some us are single parents, and we don’t have the luxury of depending on a spouse or family members for financial help.

I’m seeing on LinkedIn, that many people are out of work for 9 months at a time — many are approaching a year of being unemployed, because the market is just over saturated. Who can afford to be out of work for 9 months, while also trying to prepare for interviews, raise a family, make sure the bills get paid, all while staying optimistic.

Some of us are approaching our 50’s, and now we are thrusted into a market where ageism is very much real. Employers want you to be this unicorn, and have 10-15 years of experience, with the expectation of paying you below market rate, while also expecting you to be a fresh-faced 25 year old. It’s insane.

Alcoholism doesn’t just happen out of no where. It’s gradual. It’s “I’ve had a long day, and I feel anxious, so let me pour some wine in order to cope while the kids are sleeping.” It’s a progression over time, and the reason why addiction is so prevalent, is because it’s rooted in secrecy.

Not sure if ya’ll heard, but USAA just announced layoffs at the end of September, and one of their employers jumped off their headquarters building. He jumped off their parking garage in their San Antonio location and committed S. He was only 53 years old. Imagine spending decades at company, building a generous salary, and being thrown out to the curb in your 50’s because USAA is greedy, doesn’t want to pay you what you’re worth, especially as you near retirement. This isn’t okay. I’m so overwhelmed, and I’m trying to not spiral, but gosh it’s so hard.

by
| | Reply
Post ID: @1aly+1oUmFWzU

The audacity that they have had to have all of us employees sitting here just waiting to hear if we have a job or not.

by
| | Reply
Post ID: @1wqx+1oUmFWzU

I've never had a dr-g or alcohol problem but ever since this leaked last week I've had to tell myself, no self you can't take that whole bottle of clonazepam at one time honestly I'm scared what I might do out of sheer panic and grief if I lose this job. I've been here 11 years and I'm not qualified for another job that pays the same in my area and can't just move. I hope we all make it thru this mentally and physically intact.

by
| | Reply
Post ID: @1uum+1oUmFWzU

I sure wouldn’t allow this company to drive me to anything to hurt myself. I doubt that has crossed any minds. 9/10 were overworked, underpaid and tired of being harassed all day.

by
| | Reply
Post ID: @1pkv+1oUmFWzU

Thank goodness the voters in Missouri had the good sense to legalize w eed. I will be chilling with gummies and Yuengling (no bud light😂). If that offends you, too bad, so sad

by
| | Reply
Post ID: @1que+1oUmFWzU

I just abused the he-l out of some pre workout 🤷🏻‍♂️

by
| | Reply
Post ID: @1swh+1oUmFWzU

You saying that surely makes me want to get a drink now 🤦🏽‍♂️

by
| | Reply
Post ID: @vld+1oUmFWzU

Post a reply

: