Aflac carefully orchestrates the timing of their layoffs and it's done in an almost cruel manner:
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They have "Employee Appreciate Week" (EAW) which is a 5-day event. Each day, prize numbers are drawn for gifts/cash, employees are given a signature "EAW gift" (suitcase with duck logo, fancy soccer chair, jackets, etc), snacks are given out daily, managers coordinate team-building events/games, each day has a costume theme. By the end of this fun week, you've bonded even more with your team, manager and feel appreciated, valued.
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This week concludes with a big event at a convention center where employees win big prizes, professional comedian/host leads games/skits, leaders talk about how much they love you.
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The next week, employees receive a survey for Fortune Magazine's "best places to work" rating- what a coincidence! Aflac uses this "top employer" rating to drive good PR, recruit great employees - and they desperately need this good rating.
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Within weeks of EAW, in 2016 Aflac eliminated more than 100 jobs in Columbia, SC - 10% of the local workforce. Didn't matter if you received a stellar performance review - there was no warning. You go into work, get called into the boss's office where an HR rep sits - hands you a severance package and escorts you to your desk where you are to gather your things and leave immediately. You must turn in your company-issued cell phone, computer, badge immediately.
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Fellow team members who you bonded with just weeks before or worked with for years, came in to find your desk cleared out and were told not to ask questions.
There are no ducks that can bring humor to this situation. It is cruel in the way it's managed, timed and orchestrated. It is a bottom-line company, just like all the rest whose top concern is $$ - not their people. PS: Don't be fooled by the "Top 100 Best Places to Work" - it's a joke.
Originally posted by @NlceYne-myqg, but seems appropriate to be reminded of this, as this insidious approach has not changed one bit.