Thread regarding Optum layoffs

2-3 pay periods to process severance

I was a part of the recent Optum RIF. I am only getting 5 weeks of severance (since I started as a contractor and that time doesn’t count). Today was the first day I could sign my severance agreement and the email reply I received was that it would take 2-3 pay periods (not weeks, pay periods) to receive my severance.

That is one month or more. My last paycheck was yesterday.

You better hope you have 3-6 months of an emergency fund or you are f$&ked!

I’ve been laid off before and my severance was always paid on my last day or the next pay cycle…never had to wait 2-3 pay cycles.

How do they expect people to pay their bills? In my state unemployment won’t kick in until after your severance is exhausted, plus there is a waiting week…so the soonest I could receive an unemployment check is 6 weeks…about when a multi-billion dollar company finally gets around to paying my teeny, tiny severance!

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| 1671 views | | 12 replies (last August 13, 2024) | Reply
Post ID: @OP+1tOrYMAz

12 replies (most recent on top)

"UHG / Optum have become almost sweat shops since the British invasion, the RIFs lead to more work with no added compensation. Your complaint echos my and many others experience with HR, seems Optum has off shored enough jobs to the point of incompetence!
However, it’s your fault you took a job that had you living check to check, if you can’t save any money and create a rainy day fund, well that’s really your mistake. Learn to manage your finances better and choose your employers better, I don’t wish this company on anyone who is skilled and desires to specialize and grow within their profession. Tell your story, UHG may be hot sh-t company in Minniesoda, but there are many fine corporate positions available with much more growth potential for you elsewhere, hope it all works out for you!"

I absolutely agree with you...unfortunately, we got decimated by Covid, lost a business, and had a $400k loss...we have been attempting to build back our cash reserves, but have seen a decline in income since the company I originally worked for was acquired by Optum (I did not choose to work for Optum). I had more take-home pay before the acquisition because our benefits cost less and we received MUCH better annual bonuses and merit increases at the pre-acquisition company. I also work 3 jobs already, but yeah, had Covid not happened we would have been fine. My bonus with Optum wasn't even half of our monthly living expenses and the merit increase equated to approximately an additional $50 per month....so add inflation on to that and we were quickly living paycheck-to-paycheck versus having a $500-600 surplus each month. And yes, unemployment is nothing and I already picked up a side hustle that pays more per week than unemployment, but still not enough to sustain us since our cash reserves were depleted during Covid and after as my spouse had to make a career change and wasn't making the same amount of money. We were in the process of building back, timing just really put us between a rock and a hard spot.

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Post ID: @bhor+1tOrYMAz

i would of gone back to work

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Post ID: @ayra+1tOrYMAz

Having been through it before, some states have a rescind period -- meaning that even through you've signed the agreement, you could change you're mind and rescind you signature. My prior company wouldn't make a payment until after that period had elapsed.

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Post ID: @6lny+1tOrYMAz

It took 30 days before I received my severance.

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Post ID: @4uwm+1tOrYMAz

I wonder if you could whistleblower that. I don’t think State or Federal Government would be real happy about that. More people that call it out, the better.

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Post ID: @4kwe+1tOrYMAz

I was laid off in 2023, I have not received any unemployment due to the company told unemployment I was still working in 2024. I filed an appeal and now have a court date.

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Post ID: @3msb+1tOrYMAz

Please seek legal help. This is not right! I’m sure a lawyer would love to review your case.

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Post ID: @2yuy+1tOrYMAz

UHG / Optum have become almost sweat shops since the British invasion, the RIFs lead to more work with no added compensation. Your complaint echos my and many others experience with HR, seems Optum has off shored enough jobs to the point of incompetence!
However, it’s your fault you took a job that had you living check to check, if you can’t save any money and create a rainy day fund, well that’s really your mistake. Learn to manage your finances better and choose your employers better, I don’t wish this company on anyone who is skilled and desires to specialize and grow within their profession. Tell your story, UHG may be hot sh-t company in Minniesoda, but there are many fine corporate positions available with much more growth potential for you elsewhere, hope it all works out for you!

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Post ID: @2uiy+1tOrYMAz

Through many layoffs my experience is if you made a decent salary you get nothing for unemployment. After a couple rounds I learned build the war chest since it will happen again and live below my means. A couple pay cycles is not unheard since that cash like insurance premiums are tied up in investments that dont become liquid immediately. Have to worry about the books for next qtr already. People no longer with the company out of sight out of mind usefulness has expired. Rules of the jungle

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Post ID: @1jai+1tOrYMAz

I was part of the layoff in May and same thing. I know people who are having issues with unemployment because the company reported incorrectly that they where fired and not laid off. They are going on 2 months of no pay.

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Post ID: @1pvy+1tOrYMAz

At least you got severance they offered people reassignments to cr-ppy jobs and if you declined no severance

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Post ID: @1urb+1tOrYMAz

I hear ya. I was laid off as part of a mass layoff from a major real estate company 2 weeks ago. I signed my severance agreement on my last day but here I am, two weeks later, still waiting for the severance money. Even if you qualify for unemployment benefits, that can take a week or two to get started once it's approved.

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Post ID: @aat+1tOrYMAz

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