#unitedstates

N&S Locating Services LLC says it will lay off most of the employees who report to its Franklin County office after its biggest customer in the state, internet service provider Brightspeed, pulled all of its work from N&S.

https://www.wral.com/story/utility-services-provider-eliminating-126-jobs-in-north-carolina-after-losing-contract/22125315/

Arena BioWorks has laid off 30% of its workers 19 months after launching with $500 million and visions of bringing the Bell Labs model to biotech.

Changes at Arena BioWorks follow events that have shaken confidence in gene therapies.

https://www.fiercebiotech.com/biotech/arena-bioworks-19-months-after-splashy-launch-lays-30-its-staff

https://theconversation.com/state-department-layoffs-could-hurt-us-companies-ability-to-compete-globally-an-economist-explains-why-262988

And what’s with all the rumors about 30k being the overall target?

There will be a significant workforce reduction at the Bridgestone Off-the-Road Tire Plant in Normal. Neither the company nor the United Steelworkers union representing workers could provide a precise number of jobs targeted.

https://www.wglt.org/local-news/2025-08-21/job-cuts-ahead-at-bridgestone-tire-plant-in-normal

At least 600 employees of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention are receiving permanent termination notices in the wake of a recent court decision that protected some CDC employees from layoffs but not others.

The notices went out this week and many people have not yet received them, according to the American Federation of Government Employees, which represents more than 2,000 dues-paying members at CDC.

https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/trump-administration/least-600-cdc-employees-are-getting-final-termination-notices-union-sa-rcna226252

Are we going to get a new Tshirt?

https://www.thelayoff.com/t/1vN1ICdB
@1vN1ICdB

Title: Predictions for 2025?
Post Text: What's your prediction for 2025? The more unlikely, the more cred if it comes true. Go.

December 3 2025 by Anonymous | 218872 views | 33 reactions (+33/-0) | 41 replies (last 13 days ago) | Reply
Post ID: @OP+1vN1ICdB

## Replies

1. "tough luck"
   13 days ago by Anonymous | Post ID: @137c+1vN1ICdB

2. "June 1. Time for a mid-year review of the predictions. Many predictions have potential, but 'Mandatory all day BS indoctrination sessions on the New Frontier propaganda.' seems to be the most accurate, though technically, so far, it was a half day. Also, I believe the $1 billion in buybacks with little for the employees prediction is true. It might even be $3 billion in buybacks."
   June 1 by Anonymous | Post ID: @shv+1vN1ICdB

3. "MetLife becomes a subsidiary of Prudential."
   March 26 by Anonymous | Post ID: @g6z+1vN1ICdB

4. "All US Tech positions will be reduced/eliminated and pushed to India. Your job will no longer be necessary."
   March 26 by Anonymous | Post ID: @g4g+1vN1ICdB

5. "Get rid of pace and the podcasts. This one seems unlikely given links to new podcasts keep appearing on MML."
   March 23 by Anonymous | Post ID: @fqk+1vN1ICdB

6. "@ekg+1vN1ICdB get used to these compensation numbers at MetLife. My LOB exceeded their business plan in 2024 but fell short in 2023. I got the same low BS numbers both years, with no real explanation. My performance ratings for those years are both 'Successful'... Then update your resume and look for better paying jobs."
   March 16 by Anonymous | Post ID: @eq7+1vN1ICdB

7. "@ekg+1vN1ICdB reading is fundamental"
   March 15 by Anonymous | Post ID: @em7+1vN1ICdB

8. "It might be the lowest of the scores, but if you believe the execs, amazingly the scores go up for nearly every category nearly every year. Riiight. Next time, it's gonna go down."
   March 15 by Anonymous | Post ID: @ekg+1vN1ICdB

9. "@ds4+1vN1ICdB are you new? Compensation is consistently the lowest score on My Voice every single year... Garbage not to be taken seriously."
   March 10 by Anonymous | Post ID: @dx9+1vN1ICdB

10. "I predict that, unless rigged, some My Voice scores will go down in 2025, especially regarding satisfaction with compensation."
    March 9 by Anonymous | Post ID: @ds4+1vN1ICdB

11. "Trump comes down hard on Federal contractors that continue to have DEI and ESG programs. MetLife finally sees the light."
    January 22 by Anonymous | Post ID: @78w+1vN1ICdB

12. "@4aoj+1vN1ICdB you misspelled India."
    January 12 by Anonymous | Post ID: @5ya+1vN1ICdB

13. "The prediction 'MIM gets sold and 95% of employees get terminated' isn't looking good considering that MIM has bought two other companies. I could see maybe, 'MIM gets spun off as a separate company' as a prediction."
    January 12 by Anonymous | Post ID: @5wq+1vN1ICdB

14. "@szgx+1vN1ICdB Seriously? I hadn't heard about that. Is that why the execs sport those insulated vests? Turn the heat on, MetLife."
    December 31 by Anonymous | Post ID: @ssbf+1vN1ICdB

15. "MetLife at 200 Park realizes their electric bill has significantly increased, due to MANY employees needing to use individual space heaters... Met refuses to put the heat on at 200 Park."
    December 31 by "It's an old building" | Post ID: @szgx+1vN1ICdB

16. "I predict extensive re-organizations company wide, and especially in IT. Happy New Year."
    December 31 by Anonymous | Post ID: @suwk+1vN1ICdB

17. "MetLife fined for money laundering... CEO moves to Dubai and refuses to return to U.S."
    December 17 by Anonymous | Post ID: @eiih+1vN1ICdB

18. "Management compiles new cut lists and start writing up targets for Met policies never communicated to employees."
    December 15 by Anonymous | Post ID: @cdfi+1vN1ICdB

19. "CEO authorizes 10% staggered layoffs from his California home."
    December 9 by Anonymous | Post ID: @6vif+1vN1ICdB

20. "MIM gets sold and 95% MIM employees terminated."
    December 8 by Anonymous | Post ID: @6crs+1vN1ICdB

21. "Let's Talk Live becomes less frequent and then stops entirely."
    December 7 by Anonymous | Post ID: @5fdv+1vN1ICdB

22. "@4wld+1vN1ICdB and a dental plan option that isn't MetLife Dental!"
    December 7 by Anonymous | Post ID: @4kgz+1vN1ICdB

23. "I predict that in the 2025 Annual Benefits Enrollment, the number of folks picking United Health Care will drop by at least 75%."
    December 7 by Anonymous | Post ID: @4wld+1vN1ICdB

24. "@4jbk+1vN1ICdB the comments are factual though, so no violations there. Inept AVPs are in fact, inept."
    December 7 by Anonymous | Post ID: @4eof+1vN1ICdB

25. "HR migration to Asia completed."
    December 6 by Anonymous | Post ID: @4aoj+1vN1ICdB

26. "HR identifies the names of all Layoff posters and fires them for code of conduct violations. 'Inept AVP' and 'woke' posters are the first to go..."
    December 6 by Moazzaz&Partners | Post ID: @4jbk+1vN1ICdB

27. "Reduced chances to win a CoPilot license in a lottery because budget is consumed by beefing up protection for executives."
    December 6 by Anonymous | Post ID: @3sft+1vN1ICdB

28. "Mandatory all day BS indoctrination sessions on the New Frontier propaganda. co pilot communications from the very elusive HR and Marketing tokens."
    December 6 by Anonymous | Post ID: @3cpq+1vN1ICdB

29. "Class action lawsuit for age discrimination."
    December 5 by Anonymous | Post ID: @3kwz+1vN1ICdB

30. "Commerical Real Estate investments come home to roost ( on Pappy )."
    December 5 by Anonymous | Post ID: @2mwy+1vN1ICdB

31. "Sell Australia and Japan businesses. Entire legal department given 90 days to move to Jaipur or lose their jobs..."
    December 5 by Anonymous | Post ID: @2jdb+1vN1ICdB

32. "6th Floor at 200 Park to also be subleased so the scared C Suite can all WFH safe and sound in their gated mansions. P.S. The 200 Park office 'refresh' is such a joke."
    December 5 by Anonymous | Post ID: @2xgy+1vN1ICdB

33. "Stock market tear locks in guarantees. A subsequent stock market drop hurts 'the firm.'"
    December 4 by Anonymous | Post ID: @2gzw+1vN1ICdB

34. "At least $1B in stock buybacks while telling us there's no money for worthwhile raises."
    December 4 by Anonymous | Post ID: @2hau+1vN1ICdB

35. "EMEA business or parts of it get put up for sale."
    December 4 by Anonymous | Post ID: @1kdu+1vN1ICdB

36. "Get rid of pace and the podcasts"
    December 4 by Anonymous | Post ID: @1hwc+1vN1ICdB

37. "To keep IT management busy, replace TCS with another offshore vendor"
    December 3 by Anonymous | Post ID: @1rmy+1vN1ICdB

38. "CEO fires CEO of the Foundation."
    December 3 by Anonymous | Post ID: @1anz+1vN1ICdB

39. "CEO announces his, CFO, entire top group is retiring. Board brings in new CEO from India. HQ moves to Mumbai."
    December 3 by Anonymous | Post ID: @1kld+1vN1ICdB

40. "Inept AVPs here to stay! Our feedback continues to be ignored. More unqualified DEI hires. Cheap raises... 5% stealth layoff in US IT."
    December 3 by Anonymous | Post ID: @hcy+1vN1ICdB

http://www.thelayoff.com/t/1joMJ0TS
@OP+1joMJ0TS

Layoffs in Arizona Office

# Suddenness and Lack of Warning
Employees consistently described being blindsided without advance notice. Many emphasized the cold, impersonal manner of execution.

• "After 11 years working for Kemper I was fired via a phone call from HR. No warning, nothing. Just they are reducing the work force." ( Anonymous, Nov 4, 2022 )
• "I was at Kemper/Infinity for 15 years. I was laid off while on PTO. The place is a joke, good riddance." ( Anonymous, Oct 27, 2022 )
• "800 people let go today. Zero compassion from leadership. Heard it was a pre recorded message shown to those affected." ( Anonymous, Oct 26, 2022 )
• "Lost great people in Birmingham Total Loss today." ( Anonymous, Oct 26, 2022 )
• "Security was escorting out 2 to 3 employees yesterday at the Cerritos office." ( Anonymous, Oct 27, 2022 )
• "The Chatsworth office was also affected, about 4 adjusters without warning. Did anyone get offered a severance package?" ( Anonymous, Oct 27, 2022 )
• "SIU department also hit. Mike Hull and other managers and representatives. Shocking as our department was busy. Brought into a teams meeting with a generated message that we were laid off." ( Anonymous, Oct 26, 2022 )

# Pre-Recorded Announcements and Gaslighting
A recurring theme was the impersonal, robotic approach to announcing layoffs. Employees felt the company tried to deny this, further fueling anger.

• "I had the joy of the pre-recorded message today. That was so strange. They sounded like robots with zero compassion." ( Anonymous, Oct 27, 2022 )
• "Fact they are more concerned that ppl are saying it was a pre recorded statement then what they did to the employees speaks volumes. Takes gaslighting to a whole different level." ( Anonymous, Oct 27, 2022 )
• "The audacity of them to be more concerned that ppl are saying it was a pre recorded message then how they blind sided their employees speaks volumes. Puts gaslighting to a whole new level." ( Anonymous, Oct 27, 2022 )
• "Scared to go to the town Hall tomorrow. Dont want a prerecorded message saying we are fired." ( Oh, Oct 26, 2022 )
• "This company is by far the worse. I lost 3 people on my team. They did a pre-recorded message with no sympathy at all." ( Anonymous, Oct 27, 2022 )

# WARN Act and Legal Action
Many posts highlighted potential WARN Act violations, encouraging others to seek legal advice and join lawsuits.

• "Fellow Kemper employees, if you were terminated as part of the 10/26/2022 Reduction In Force at Kemper, please contact The Bloom Lawfirm @ 818-914-7397 to join a class action lawsuit for Kempers violation of the Federal WARN Act." ( Former Kemper L&D Member, Nov 23, 2022 )
• "I consulted an attorney and we have a case. Kemper violated the WARN act. Seek legal advise and don’t sign the severance release until you speak to an attorney." ( Anonymous, Nov 14, 2022 )
• "Check it out. Seems all let go in CA may have a case under WARN ACT. Yikes. They must’ve let all of HR go seeing that it seemly wasn’t looked into." ( Anonymous, Oct 27, 2022 )
• "After reviewing this case and the number of people laid off without warning, this places Kemper in breach of the WARNS ACT. Go gete'm!!! Know your rights." ( Anonymous, Oct 27, 2022 )
• "Go to https://edd.ca.gov/en/Jobs_and_Training/Layoff_Services_WARN. Help is available if you feel your rights have been violated." ( Anonymous, Oct 27, 2022 )

# Leadership Criticism and Executive Compensation
A strong theme is anger toward leadership’s behavior and pay levels, contrasted against employee treatment.

• "Poorly handled lay off. And you have Duane Sanders who makes millions. He doesn’t care about anyone but himself." ( Anonymous, Oct 28, 2022 )
• "Joseph Lacher made $8,222,255 in total compensation as Chairman of the Board, Chief Executive Officer and President at Kemper Corp in 2021." ( Anonymous, Oct 27, 2022 )
• "Duane Sanders made $2,883,135 in total compensation as Executive Vice President and President, Property and Casualty Division at Kemper Corp in 2020." ( Anonymous, Oct 27, 2022 )
• "Melissa Hill, a very talented leader, was making positive change but the good ole boy club has to get rid of the one executive female left. All remaining claims leadership is all MEN now. Are we in 2022 or 1960???" ( Anonymous, Oct 28, 2022 )
• "Duane Sanders in the townhall meeting literally just ended the meeting with 'Halt the Rumors'." ( Insurance, Oct 27, 2022 )

# Reputation and Toxic Work Culture
The layoffs amplified longstanding complaints about Kemper’s reputation, culture, and operations.

• "The reputation at Kemper has been awful for years. Few experience adjusters will even work at that company and Temps ( Contractors ) often decline placement there." ( Anonymous, Oct 28, 2022 )
• "Learning and Development ( L&D ), did their absolute best to train new hires through Kemper's revolving door. On Oct. 26th, all but 6-7 Trainers were laid off; including 4 Instructional Designers." ( Anonymous, Oct 28, 2022 )
• "Sadly, as a prior manager, I can confirm that this is not a place you want to work at if you value your sanity as I was regularly verbally abused by management." ( Anonymous, Oct 27, 2022 )
• "I used to work for Infinity/Kemper. Thankfully I jumped that ship while I could and work for a better insurance company." ( Anonymous, Oct 27, 2022 )
• "Get out while you can. Nothing out of their mouth can be trusted. Can't wait to see what BS they will spin out I'm the town hall." ( Anonymous, Oct 26, 2022 )

# Severance and Treatment of Employees
Anger was also directed at the meager severance packages and perceived disrespect.

• "My wife was let go. She worked there for 1 year and her severance was 1 week. That is disgusting." ( Anonymous, Oct 27, 2022 )
• "Thankful for the 2 weeks of pay and severance, still mind blowing." ( Anonymous, Oct 27, 2022 )
• "I don’t know how many were laid off in Dallas, but it was a lot. At least 5 managers in my unit ( including me ) and several adjusters. The meeting didn't come across pre-recorded to me, but after hearing I was being laid off everything became a blur after that." ( Anonymous, Oct 27, 2022 )
• "People have given 20 plus years to this company and this is how they were treated." ( Anonymous, Oct 27, 2022 )

# Industry Context and Aftermath
Some users pointed out Kemper’s financial troubles, industry perception, and job opportunities elsewhere.

• "Poorly Managed https://www.reinsurancene.ws/am-best-downgrades-kemper-on-earnings-deterioration/" ( Anonymous, Oct 27, 2022 )
• "National General is hiring 250 claims rep, also hiring many field auto reps across the US." ( Anonymous, Oct 27, 2022 )
• "Loya Insurance is hiring in San Antonio, El Paso and McAllen, Texas!! Not remote positions!! Submit your resumes!!!" ( Anonymous, Oct 27, 2022 )
• "Good roddanc3 I hope they get every legal action against them. And then the separation papers are a joke too." ( Anonymous, Oct 27, 2022 )

# Uncommon Opinions and Perspectives
Amid the broader consensus, a few remarks stood out for their uniqueness.

• "Please don’t name names when writing, this is an anon forum - personal info is not allowed." ( Anonymous, Oct 27, 2022 )
• "Blackout period, but I need to sell my stocks ASAP! I wonder if the Blackout applies to persons no longer with the company." ( Anonymous, Oct 27, 2022 )
• "Per Linkden MH was actually a Senior Vice President reporting directly into the President. She doesnt seem to have a good track record staying at companies." ( TheReal, Nov 13, 2022 )
• "Senior management in theft and fire were let go." ( Pip, Oct 26, 2022 )

Mayor Mike Johnston's office said all layoff notifications will go out over the course of a week, beginning Aug. 18.

https://www.9news.com/article/news/local/city-of-denver-layoffs-begin-monday/73-4f737618-58ca-4b46-a24c-72651af3c474

Wellmore, a Grundy-based producer of metallurgical coal, will cut 72 jobs in Buchanan County by mid-October, according to letters it sent to state officials.

https://cardinalnews.org/2025/08/18/southwest-virginia-coal-company-plans-layoffs/

Facilities involved include:

• Harvester Works in East Moline, Ill.: 115 (last day of work Aug. 29)
• Seeding and Cylinder in Moline, Ill.: 52 (last day of work Sept. 26)
• Foundry in Waterloo, Iowa: 71 (last day of work Sept. 19)

https://www.agweb.com/news/breaking-john-deere-confirms-238-layoffs-across-3-plants

https://cleantechnica.com/2025/08/13/global-ev-sales-up-27-in-2025-despite-anti-electrification-policies-in-the-us/