I say this after every layoff round, and I'll keep saying. Don't pick up any of the work done by your former coworkers. Say you're busy, already overloaded, it's not in your job description, or say anything else you can think of, but don't do it. They're counting on you picking up the slack, despite so many of us already being criminally overworked. Don't do them that favor. Let them face consequences of their own actions for once.
17 replies (most recent on top)
@OP is remarkably ignorant. If you need to retain your salary and benefits for you and your family, you do what you're asked to do to keep your job. Especially right now when IT positions are few and far between.
Bottom line - If you say "No" to work you're asked to do, you can and probably will get fired, not via a RIF, but FOR CAUSE! That would put you out the door on the spot with NO severance.
Don't stress yourself with work, do the best you can in normal work hours. Oracle does not care if you get sick or drop dead. They have laid off people on parental leave and sick leave. You are a expense line to them and they are always itching to cut you. Don't waste more than the minimum time of your limited life for Oracle or any other job. Use the maximum of time with your family - that is good use of time and what you remember and cherish on your death bed. No one dies wishing they worked harder or longer - read regrets on the death bed. I work in NA but I want to emphasize for the folks in Asia. Many times they are working unnecessarily hard and just shortening their lifespan.
@c7 I’m still here and I am not a bootlicker. That’s extremely rude.
Clearly the only people that remain employed are the bootlickers so they will do whatever it takes. But eventually their boss’s boots will be so clean they won’t need them too…the cycle continues…
The pr--k mandates were a test. No one would ever vote for technocracy, but the test showed them how many were likely to oppose meaningfully.
The problem is, everyone has their own reality. Some desperately need the job. Some are waiting to be let go.
If certain people need the job, what do you propose for these people? Get them to step up and potentially lose a job that they need? Are you going to pay their bills?
Will you be able to pry yourself off of your incessant bootlicking long enough to even listen?
You first then let us know how it went.
They are working on AI processes that they deem high value where they will have the most bang for the buck(ie layoff the most people).
Don't kid yourself. They are 100% full steam ahead. They are giddy when they talk about it.
Keep your job if you can but people now need to consider major decisions and purchases. Do I need a bigger house? Do I need a new car? Should I start a family?
Build an emergency fund that will last you two or more years of being out of work.
I have former colleagues that are closing in on being out for two years.
Debt is slavery.
Agentic AI, bi-pedal robotics, self driving semi trucks and cars, totalitarian gov and mega corporations will only make things worst in this brave new world that humanity is blindly venturing into. Employment -as we are seeing- is the canary in the coal mine.
@a7 & @OP There are people out there from Oracle and several Austin high-tech companies like Dell that were layed off since last year that havn't found an equal, better or worse job. Hundreds of resumes sent out without any success (age just compounds that). The utility bills, groceries, gasoline, family medical bills, rent/mortgage and credit cards aren't going to pay themselves. That kind of pressure is worst on your health overall and your heart in particular, than any extra workload incurred but with a bi-weekly paycheck. Don't follow foolish advice and risk your current job. Yes, send out resumes if unhappy, but continue to perform at you current job till you get a signed offer letter from another employer.
@a7 I would be willing to bet that you and OP are the first to cave under pressure from your boss. Big words from you on an anonymous forum. Smart people are going to protect their jobs and that isn't bootlicking, that is taking care of your self and family. Maybe they should be looking for a better job but this is where they are right now. Telling people to take a stand against a company who is looking for any reason to fire people is just ignorant. You can go take a stand and gamble with your livelihood.
Seems like quite a few bootlickers downvoted OPs post. Spineless jellyfish that refuse to say "No" then complain about taking on more work and constant health issues. SMH
I understand why people are afraid to "push back" - the job market can be uncertain, and a stable income matters. But staying in a toxic workplace and silently taking on the work of laid-off coworkers is not really a safe strategy. It only guarantees ongoing overload, stress, and likely even worse conditions over time.
It reminds me of a toxic relationship and lines like, "You won’t find anyone better, you should be grateful to have me." Fear of uncertainty becomes a tool for keeping someone stuck. But that is not a reason to stay.
I’m not saying everyone should quit immediately or refuse everything dramatically. But it is fair to say: "I can take on X, but then Y and Z will need to be deprioritized. What should come first?" A company is not automatically entitled to unlimited loyalty or the output of several people from one employee - especially when it has shown that loyalty is not mutual.
@a1 Your main personal priority should be getting in a position where you arent stuck blindly obeying the unreasonable demands of your employer.
Build an emergency fund, invest and get some personal resilience.
Take back some control.
Great advise, so we can be put on the next layoff list. These days having a stable paycheck should be your main motivation. The job market is terrible and only getting worse. WFR is now the norm, not the exception.