I was the only person on a team of seven that had their position eliminated. My performance management reports were always positive and I was praised as a top performer yet I was laid off due to policy changes regarding co-location. I was not given the option to move to another team or commute at my own expense. My severance was dangled like a carrot and EVERYONE made it clear that the only thing I could do was go away quietly. I eventually did just that but at the time I was shocked about how quickly and dramatically my work life changed. Soon after my entire team was disassembled. I still can't explain the range of emotions and the personal hit I felt when following the notification I began to be shunned and treated as a pariah by my manager and pitied by teammates (many of which were still calling me requesting assistance) To add insult to injury many of my former colleagues have called me since my departure to inform me that all of the management associated with making the job cut decisions had changed and under completely new LOB. More importantly I learned that Merchant Services had not enforced the co-location requirement after my position was eliminated. Again, that was noted as the sole factor in their decision yet I was the only one out of seven that this was being applied to. I am not going to elaborate but let's just say JPMC really shouldn't be receiving the accolades they are getting from the LGBT communities.
Final thoughts
To those already laid off: Learn from this and move on. Avoid communication with those still actively working in Merchant Services because you may hear something negative and the reality is that there is nothing you can do about it.
To management: Fully understand lay offs happen but your entire process needs improvement
To those left behind: Hopefully this post has shed some light on what others have gone through. May you never have to endure this experience.