#anxiety

That’s not a light from an opening, it’s a train

I've never been laid off, I have no idea how these things work and I have a bad feeling about today.

So nervous about today, I can't function!

I'm going to be such a mess before it finally happens. Not gonna lie, this feels like psychological torture to me.

I have worked for some difficult people over the years, but the two worst managers I ever had were both at Chevron. I am still dealing with the anxiety and stress that came from working under them, and I am not sure I will ever fully recover from those years. My current manager is okay, but I'm scared she'll leave and then who knows what I'll get stuck with again.

We've been through so many layoffs in the last few years that I can't even feel stressed or worried anymore ahead of the next round. I'm just numb. I honestly can't tell if that's a good or a bad thing.

Even when we're supposed to be safe, there's always that thought in the back of my mind, ever since we were completely blindsided one time. I just want to be able to focus on my work once again without stressing and worrying, but I don't see it happening any time soon.

But I'm in a tough spot right now, and getting laid off would be devastating. I can't even think about looking elsewhere because life has been throwing one thing after another at me for months. The constant worry about work just makes everything worse. I'd love for things to be different, but they're not. I'm just hoping no big cuts happen until I get my head above water.

Has anyone else had the experience of just not being able to cope with the persistent concerns of both not being able to keep up, plus the feeling that their own impending notice is a forgone conclusion, just waiting to happen?

Several months ago, I had so much anxiety, over my VP having an ongoing conniption fit over the set of metrics my team produced, not "aligning" to the "strategic message" being tried to "crafted", for an "incredibly important executive meeting"; that I worked myself up into such a panic, that I got in an automobile accident. I'm not saying the accident was 100% due to my state of paranoid stupidity at the time, but it was a major contributing factor.

My spouse ordered me to go to the doctor, and I broke down on how much of a mess I was psychologically. My spouse explained to the doctor, on how I was a completely different person than I was years ago. We went over life's issues, and framed out how I got here; and surprise, one of the biggest root cause issues was deemed to be my ongoing fear of being restructured.

The doctor placed me on several medications, several for anxiety, and several because since working my behind off for the past few years, my behind has grown to twice its original pre-Cisco size, due to a healthy diet of carbs and sugary Starbucks drinks.

I've been on these meds for several months, and am loosing weight. I feel much better, but to be completely honest; I know longer give a crud about this place. I don't like the people I work with, I really do not like my leadership. I don't know why I believed for a long time, that this was a fantastic place to work. It su-ks.

We have talked it over, and am going to try to stay as long as I can. It is refreshing to not care. Yes, I will do the work, be expect the bare minimum.

Sad because this company is being ruined by the greed of a small population of enabled executives, who just don't care to slice of whatever population of employees are needed to make their pockets fill up even faster, for the sake of the AI evolution.

If you don't like the message above, well aren't you just living with your head in the sand. Hopefully our paths won't cross, because I don't want to work with you, or worst, for you.

I am a bit surprised no one has posted or discussed this yet here. A serious question for those familiar with the Albany IBM site and the broader Anderon situation:

Do you believe this ultimately benefits or harms Albany IBM over the long term?

From the inside, the process has not appeared especially transparent and, at times, has seemed remarkably improvised. Basic questions regarding leadership structure, governance, and operational accountability remain unclear. Who precisely is leading the organization? What does the executive structure look like? What is the strategic vision? At moments, it feels less like a carefully designed transition and more like an initiative being assembled in real time without sufficient planning, vetting, or institutional coordination. It is odd this has not been communicated yet.

At the same time, the situation has clearly created significant anxiety internally and has already had visible effects on morale, trust, recruitment, retention, and the broader reputation of the Albany site. There is also a growing perception among some that this may function less as a meaningful corrective effort and more as a mechanism for diffusing accountability or relocating longstanding institutional problems elsewhere without fully addressing them.

That said, structural disruption is not inherently negative. In some cases, it can expose deeper cultural or governance issues that genuinely require reform.

Curious to hear others’ perspectives: is this a necessary and constructive reset, or does it ultimately risk causing more long-term damage to Albany IBM than improvement?

I never thought it would come to this - me hoping to be selected for layoffs after so many years.

Just woke up in the middle of the night. Feel aweful. Was having. Dream about fighting a bully who was kicking me in the nuts.

Workers anticipate increased job stress. This stress is projected for the year 2026. Fears of potential layoffs contribute to this anxiety. The rise of artificial intelligence also plays a role. These concerns are impacting the workforce.

https://www.usatoday.com/videos/money/economy/2026/05/21/job-stress-surges-in-2026-as-workers-fear-layoffs-and-ai/90194523007/

I can't accept it's over. I'm just waiting for the other shoe to drop.

I am one of the impacted associates . Was promoted earlier this year then suddenly let go. Two weeks later, I’m still stuck in my room dealing with constant depression and anxiety.
How is everyone else coping with the sudden change . I clearly didn’t see this coming , falsely assume my rockstar status insulated me

All the wellness messaging in the world doesn't mean much when people are stressed about possible layoffs. Nothing says healthy workplace culture quite like anxiety, rumors, and employees wondering if they are on the next list.

It's not just the layoffs, it's knowing what the job market is like right now. Being laid off is bad enough, but when so many people are already being cut and there are so few available jobs... I've never been this worried about losing my job in my 20-year career.

The only reason we are sponsoring them is because the executives get free lounge and box access for free. So much for being "good stewards", "shareholder oriented" and "value creators". Couple this with free private jets, it's one never-ending party for the ultra rich. The rest of us get pink slips and anxiety.

Heard a rumor that there will be layoffs this Friday, and we’ll be asked to WFH that day. I didn’t put a whole ton of stock into it, but I was sent a photo of all of the CX and MX leadership going into a 2.5hr meeting today and it was set up by the HR generalist. Safe to say I’m officially anxious and not feeling good. My source is as an associate and a leader in the a space at BTD.

Anyone else heard anything concrete?

And by that I mean the impending 10K layoffs. Do you think that people will get invitations one by one OR will they opt for mass exodus via grandiose hands on call?

I am scared shitless. I need $. No good.

Honestly though im worried.

Has there been a single day in the past 12 months that we didn't have to worry about cuts? I'm pretty sure the answer is no. Even after the cuts are freshly over, we immediately start thinking about the next round, because we all know it's coming. How come we all allowed for this to become the new normal?

I just wish this was already over and done with. I’d rather it had happened on Wednesday and I knew one way or another than sit here for days letting my anxiety spiral. This waiting is the worst part of it. I really do think being left in limbo like this is inhumane.

We have a baby due in just a few months and I've never been this scared about job security. I can't afford to be laid off right now. Not with hospital bills coming and a new mouth to feed. Every rumor about cuts makes my stomach drop. I don't know how I'll be able to deal mentally with constant layoff rumors through all of this.

I feel nauseous.

The mental toll of participating in unethical decisions, and the pressure we're under every single day, is barely manageable. It leaves marks. But my wife could lose her job any day, my two kids are still in school, and I'm drowning in debt. So I endure. So my family can survive. And yes, I've tried to find something else, even switch industries. But it's really, really bad out there.

Only PIPs?

I wake up every day scared that today's the day. I can't concentrate. My work is slipping. Is anyone else feeling this, or is it just me?

Humans are not made to withstand so much stress on a daily basis. We really aren't. Even if our physicals health remains fine (and it rarely does) this all takes a huge toll on our mental health. I'm this close to quitting every single day because of this. There's only so much we can all take.

How worried should I be about the coming days/weeks?

I've been asking myself this a lot lately. Would I rather be unemployed and stressed about money, or stay here and be stressed about work every single day? Neither option is good. But if you had to pick, which would you choose?

As soon as the layoff rumors start, I can't sleep. I am consumed with anxiety, I can't focus, I can't stop checking my inbox. How do the rest of you cope with this kind of uncertainty?

I don't know if it's just me or my department. Morale is low and stress levels are maxed out. More and more duties added to an already busy day. Customers relentlessly wanting everything for free, rude, and entitled. Constant fear of being fired even if you make all of your metrics and bonus every quarter. I have worked for Wayfair for 5 years and have not one time have I ever not bonused. Trying to wrap my head around if you fall below one metric for one month you still get a ROD, but I digress.
My mental health wishes AI would just do the damn thing- or a morning layoff email.
Is the stress level climbing in all departments? I know frontline and MC has been getting beat up for months, sadly. How is everyone else holding up?

We're all going to lose our minds before it's done.

Despite everything they say, I can't take it for granted that it's done.

I am so confused and anxious... Is this layoff wave actually over?
I went through every single thread and what I am seeing is conflicting. People around me including my manager are clueless, rumors and guessing. Here I see that some posters say all impacted employees were already notified and May is done. Others report sameday notifications still happening, “quick catch up” meetings appearing, and leadership is refusing to guarantee no further cuts.... also - multiple posts suggest that phased restructuring will go thru June. Some say September. WTF???

Leadership isn’t about staying quiet when things get hard. It’s about having difficult conversations especially when their employees are struggling.

What’s disappointing is watching so many of them stay silent while the mental strain on employees keeps growing. Ever since Dan became CEO, the focus has been nonstop customer obsession and AI obsession while the human side of the company feels ignored.

Employees are exhausted. Morale is down. People are anxious about their future while incredible talent is being pushed aside in the name of efficiency.

Let’s hope state and federal governments begin putting real guardrails around employment as AI rapidly changes the workforce. Companies should not be able to aggressively cut human talent in pursuit of automation without accountability or protections for workers and environment.

At some point, companies need to ask themselves: what happens when we automate away stability for millions of people? Will all of this still feel worth it when unemployment rises and people can no longer support themselves? What’s most disappointing is not just the decisions being made but the silence of the leaders who see the damage being done and still choose not to speak up.

Technology should support humanity not replace it at any cost.

once you are made redundant, are you ready to go back in there? will jobs change or disappear at other companies too because of this AI implementation? "This company's issue isn't profit, it’s growth." The company must grow to remain competitive; if other companies adopt AI and have fewer roles, then this one must do exactly the same and, as it appears, these are years where they are only letting people go. Are you ready for a world where you just can’t make ends meet because no company will ever need a human doing the job? Am I being too catastrophic or simply this issue is not getting addressed enough with governments and the public?

Im sorry to everyone affected, the market is he-l right now. oversaturaded is an understatement, not to mention meritocratic hiring practices have been done away with in exchange for inexperienced workers who will listen better and take less pay/benefits. If you got hit today, get out there ASAP. Do not wait.