Thread regarding UKG / Ultimate Kronos Group / Ultimate Software Group Inc. layoffs

Scott and Viv must be shaking their heads

For those that came up through the Ulti ranks, it is really sad to see how things have come together since Scott decided to sell to H&F. Things have gone downhill from there and what was a unique culture is now completely lost. My first inkling of the culture being destroyed was after our merger with Kronos, pretty much only "K" sided senior leaders made the cut. So many red flags since then and now we're to the point where the old Ulti culture has been snuffed out.

I never understood why Scott sold it out the way he did. How much money do you need? Wouldn't there be other ways to cash out if he was ready to move on, without throwing the whole thing in the dumpster?

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| 1451 views | | 9 replies (last July 23, 2024) | Reply
Post ID: @OP+1tkwYOKG

9 replies (most recent on top)

I agree it is not a K vs U thing. The point being though that the death blow to Ultimate and its culture could be traced back to the purchase by H&F, while the end of Kronos could arguably be this ugly layoff event. I came up on the U side and have made many close relationships with K people. But what is left now is unrecognizable to U or K legacy people.

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Post ID: @kles+1tkwYOKG

The best leaders from Kronos were also let go in the past few rounds of layoffs. Please don't make this a K vs U thing. Kronos was also a fantastic place to work before the merger.

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Post ID: @8ogn+1tkwYOKG

Thanks a lot for the kind words Viv . Happy for you that you cashed out. You deserved it and more. But please don't lie and say you didn't cash out. My respect for you will decrease. Or are you now thinking like the top 1% for whom tens of millions of dollars bonus is, uh, nothing.... and for the rest 99%, a few thousands in severance thrown at our faces, is enough?

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Post ID: @6noq+1tkwYOKG

This is the part I can’t reconcile:

“We were tired and it was time for us to live our lives and just didn’t want to do it anymore. “

OK, then trust that you trained the right people to keep the culture going. Trust that those you brought up the ranks were given the tools to run it for the next 30 years. Step aside, sell your stock to do those other things and admire your creation, as you see your hard work thrive.

Or, sell it for top dollar to outsiders whose only motive is profit maximization.

As a hiring manager I remember Viv telling us you better bring quality people into the organization or we would answer to her. Protect the house. When the time came for Viv to step aside I thought the culture reigns would be handed to an insider that shared those values. Didn’t see the dump and run coming which still makes me sad. I guess I miss it because I knew how special it was.

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Post ID: @3wue+1tkwYOKG

My heart breaks for all affected by this and previous layoffs and all that has transpired and changed. We didn’t cash out. We created something beautiful for 30 years and took care of everyone and created life long relationships that will cherish always. We were tired and it was time for us to live our lives and just didn’t want to do it anymore. We never saw this coming because believe me, we never would’ve done it. Ulti was a special place and will always have a space in our hearts. Ulti was a unicorn, this is now corporate America. There are many leaders out there who care for their people and are successful running companies. I know everyone will land on their feet and the Ulti network is strong and supportive. We are all fortunate to have experienced Ulti. My daughter in law was also laid off after 10 years and was performing stronger than ever. There is no rhyme or reason to this. Stay strong and never ever think we didn’t care🫶

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Post ID: @1rpo+1tkwYOKG

I think viv might of cared somewhat scott culdn't give two sh--s, made a butt load of cash, I don't blame him though would 've done the same thing and just enjoy life. fu-k work lol

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Post ID: @1gkz+1tkwYOKG

No they're not, they cashed out.

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Post ID: @jrn+1tkwYOKG

Let's not forget, though, that the sale to H&F cashed EVERYONE out. I know many of us didn't have a lot of shares, but many did. And market timing-wise, that was peak low-interest PE buyout days that got ULTI a pretty premium over what it was trading at.

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Post ID: @qnt+1tkwYOKG

Couldn’t agree more! I am old legacy where we truly mattered. Heartless company now. Has anyone even seen a severance package yet? They sure are eager to get their equipment back but are we getting anything at all?

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Post ID: @qgg+1tkwYOKG

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