June 27 2023.
So it has been one year since our leadership team fired so many people on that day. A 10 minute meeting and u were done. I cannot seem to get over it. I feel like FoMoCo will be the death of me from the threat of constant layoffs. The future is dark...
21 replies (most recent on top)
Nah...place isn't worth getting PTSD over, or ay job for that matter. If things are at that level for you, you really need to consider your situation. Reduce your debt and save 10k. Then if it does happen you can at least take a few days / a week to collect your thoughts and regroup. What your mind gives energy to thrives, so if you keep thinking you'll get let go, you just might. Concentrate on getting you job duties done and if it still happens then maybe it's out of your control. It's getting too much real estate in your mind.. Relax. Could end up being the best thing to ever happen to you, who knows.
The do hold positions with more authority. They perform employee evaluations.
They are superiors in the work place. Outside of work, all bets are off. But in work matters, the superiors are 'superiors'. They can deem you a poor performing employee and terminate your employment. That is a one way road. You can't do that to them. Because they are your superior.
You can simp to whomever and whatever you want. They might be your superiors but it's not up to you to make that determination for others. They are paid more than you and me. That's all. Weather or not they've earned it is another thing up for debate. You don't have to exhibit reverence for people based solely the position they hold in a company. If it works for you and you think it helps keep you safe, then by all means you do you.
"I would suggest a different company to work for regarding financial folks and engineering types."
Sound advice. I wouldn't say it's unfortunate though. I guess it is if you're safe and don't want to try something else, in which case that mentality will come back to bite you.
Unfortunately, the office jobs and engineering are going overseas at F. I would suggest a different company to work for regarding financial folks and engineering types.
Post ID: @2ooi+1te4gMLf
you're whats wrong with F.
OP sounds vaccinated.
They are your superiors. I treat them that way whenever I see them.
I've met Mr Farley before and I called him Mr and Sir. He has earned that.
And I also laugh at their jokes and agree with whatever they say. I make sure that whatever I say aligns with their opinions. It has kept me safe and employed for the last 15 years.
It used to be combat vets got PTSD for all the horrors that they witnessed. Nowadays it seems like people are getting it when they get nervous, their Latte machine breaks down or someone addresses them incorrectly. Man, the OP is soft! Grow a pair and get busy living or wallow in your mental softness forever. You weenies make me sick.
"Don't work on the weekends or after hours. It will get you nowhere with Ford or any other employer it's size"
A few wise woman told me years ago " 8 and skate"
'The behavior of senior management mirrors/ mimics the behavior they witness from the Ford family'..
I was trying to explain exactly this is on a call today. It's s not about any particular demographic or race or age. It's a culture of ineptitude that starts at the very top of this company and works its way downhill. I'm fairly confident that the LL4 level in my org 'gets it', cant speak for the 3s but for sure above them are a bunch of delusional id--ts that need to be broomed out sooner than 'damn its too late i guess'.
But they used the proper pronouns. Good to go then.
So you are on a layoff site whining about having “PTSD” from not being laid off? What the he-l is wrong with you? Try being one of the people who actually got laid off.
I was laid off from both Ford and GM.
I’m older, white and male. Do you know what I did? I went back out and found another job!
If you can’t deal with working at Ford, then sack up and go find a better job with a different company! Don’t sit there and let them mess with your head.
"Every time a superior wants to talk I get sweaty palms.."
They are not your "superior" and the sooner you stop thinking of them like that, the sooner you can start treating them like a normal person weather they like it that way or not.
As said here already, more than half the anxiety comes from not having a plan. Don't work on the weekends or after hours. It will get you nowhere with Ford or any other employer it's size. Work on you and a side hustle...something that improves you because ultimately Ford doesn't care when it comes time to trim headcount.
I was at Ford for over 10 years before getting canned in Aug 2022 SIRP.
The stress is very real. Even when you have a financial safety net and a desirable skill set.
I've thought about it, and here's my opinion why the stress was so common.
Ford didn't take a bail out during the previous downturn. At the time I was very proud of this. But now I think it lead to a nonstop financial struggle. Paired with poor decisions, this lead to a never ending financial struggle. Over my 10 years there, there was non stop layoffs or buy out packages. People, especially the GSRs, never felt real job security.
But most importantly, Ford is a company built on nepotism. At Ford, who you know is more important that what you know. For the last 10 years, I saw people compete and back stab to try to be one of the 'friends and family' of whichever leader they were working near. So that they would feel protected when the next layoff came around. As a result, nobody really collaborated. Nobody trusted each other. It was all an arms race to be aligned with the person who may be able to protect your job. That leaves most employees feeling miserable most of the time.
Good reply @wxd
This is so important. One needs to downsize their annual financial plan when one gets to your mid-50s.
You need to accurately understand your annual rate of spending, so as to accurately assess when you can retire or sustain time off between companies. Price out ACA insurance, get your grown kids OFF the parents dime, get your mortgage paid off, trim credit card balances.
Get your annual spending to a predictable understood amount, max out your 401k and Roth IRA, get financially literate and fit, and be a role model for others around you like the kids.
Stop whining and look in the mirror and ask “do you see a man or a boy?” (Or gender specific for women).
The answer is you. Like dorothy in wizard of Oz, YOU have the red ruby slippers and you need to recognize to fend for yourself. Like President Obama said, You are the ones you are waiting for.
The Ford family runs the company. The behavior of senior management mirrors/ mimics the behavior they witness from the Ford family. Make no mistake, BF wants to inflict as much pain and abuse as possible to the employees. We are simply his 'subjects'.
Go work for public service if you can’t handle the threat of layoffs. Corporations are driven by profit and will always look to replace you with someone cheaper.
Building on another very wise reply - PLAN AHEAD!.
Forget loyalty. The new normal requires changing companies every 3 years - LOL, look at Doug Field's resume!!!!!!
Do your job well, but do NOT expect to be recognized for your contributions and remember everyone is expendable.
Many of my colleagues were part of the August 2022 separations ( all were over 50 , pension eligible and approaching 25+ years at F ) and all landed better positions at far better companies - my bestie landed at NVIDIA and couldnt be happier $$$$$$$$.
IMO, the Ford family are ruthless, greedy a-holes, they could care less about their employees. Take care of yourself first and foremost, have your resume/ portfolio at the ready always!
I was part of the August 2022 separations. It worked out well for me because I was going to leave due to the pension lump-sum interest rates but most were not as fortunate.
I think people are under stress because they don't have a PLAN. Instead of spending your time worrying about the next meeting or layoff, take control of your life and create a plan with scenarios and next steps. Then do a gap analysis and focus on improving the weak areas. Put your energy towards improving your skills and looking for other employment opportunities. Did I get the best outcome? No. However, I pursued my plan and am in a better place without all of the worry.
Every time a superior wants to talk I get sweaty palms, racing heart and feel like I'm going to pass out. The people last year and in August 2022 seemed to handle it so well! How?!?