I was a B1 impacted last year as part of the “Valentine’s Day M---acre” on Wednesday 2/14. I was looking at thelayoff.com this time last year so I wasn’t completely surprised when the hammer came down. My manager pulled me into a conference room around 3pm. When I walked in, there was an HR rep sitting in the room. They told me that my position was being eleiminated and gave me a folder with documentation and my severance package. I was also told I’d receive my bonus and needed to return the signed severance paperwork by a certain date. They shook my hand and gathered my things and left. I was allowed to come back on Friday to clean out my desk and hand over my ID and corporate card.
I want to provide a few words of encouragement and just say that there’s life on the other side. The PepsiCo name carries a lot of weight in the job market. Three months after being laid off, I was able to secure a new job with a great brand. I have a more senior title and my salary is significantly higher than my old PepsiCo salary. Being laid off from PepsiCo was really scary in the moment but, in hindsight, I’m better off for it. I’m happier and I’m glad to have PepsiCo behind me (for many reasons). Keep your heads up colleagues. It gets better.