Thread regarding Ford layoffs

@hf

No actually there is. Depends on how you frame the argument. Is there any argument with policy implementation? No directives have been given. Is it a smooth brain move and have me too "follower" connotations? Absolutely. It has been said before with much merit and data to back up - it is a move to force people out no matter what performance level. All we are doing here is stating what the executives can't say. We can say they are wrong for this all day, but it's not about being right or wrong - its about the outcome they want and they WANT people to quit so they don't have to do the dirty work and separate people with WARN notices and get bad press. It's pretty simple to understand, you can stop with the facade and false pretense now. It's okay....

Returning to the office and fostering collaboration hinges on creating a safe work environment. Basic safety isn’t about achieving perfection but rather addressing concerns promptly and effectively.

When individuals express discomfort or uncertainty, particularly after stressful or traumatic experiences, it’s crucial to take these concerns seriously and respond with clarity. This involves recognizing how power dynamics, communication gaps, and silence can inadvertently exacerbate situations.

Consistency with existing policies and fundamental HR principles, such as fairness, non-retaliation, and open dialogue, plays a pivotal role in rebuilding trust and encouraging people to feel safe coming to work. When these essential elements are overlooked, the consequences can extend far beyond the workplace.

It’s downright scary to witness firsthand how few individuals genuinely comprehend these fundamental principles, and it appears that HR departments are grappling with similar challenges.

Look, there is no argument that Ford needs to improve its Return to Office metrics to be competitive to other tech companies collaboration data. That is why leadership has directed 4 days in the office compliance. 5 days in office is the next step of improvement in the plan.

@fg
II fully agree—there are concerns about how work-from-home (WFH) arrangements were established.
Were these WFH agreements established out of necessity, or were they by personal relationships with management? While some employees have maintained job security through consistent performance and hard-work, others appear to have received benefits without clear justification, seemingly due to personal connections with leadership. Clearly, it pays to kiss a$$ around here.
Now, in the post-COVID era, much of the management responsible for these decisions are no longer with the company through retirements, organization changes or from been fired with the four or five buyouts that have occurred.
To address these disparities, we should consistently raise questions about WFH practices in meetings and town halls, leverage pulse surveys to highlight concerns and advocate for no special privileges – Stop The Bias.
You want change, let’s initiate it:
• We shall call it out and ask the questions of our MIA WFH in every meeting.
• We shall point out and question the MIA WFH in every town hall?
• We shall question how will we fix our “warranty issues” with all OPPs with our MIA WFH?
• We shall use every breath and opportunity available to about our MIA WFH?
• We shall use the PULSE SURVEY to our advantage, questioning the MIA WFH?
• We shall not rest until the bias is removed from our working conditions between those in the office and the MIA WFH?

@fn

If you enjoy coming to the office, I'd really start to question what else might be missing in your life.

@a5

"The team was already informed last week that remote arrangements for out of towers are ending." - I don't think so. But if they try to push that it will get very interesting. No one in their right mind would relocate for a job at Ford (if they have any real responsibility that is). Not a reliable enough employer to put that kind of trust in. Not with how they have been running things lately and the flake-outs. Pop some corn of this happens - it will get interesting.

@e5

Yeah - who came up with the concept of calling these places this? Center of gravity is a foot up the @$$ if you ask me and the after taste of a little shoe polish. lol

@a5

I don't imagine this will be the case. There's going to be some difficult conversations that will be had if so, and not necessarily difficult for the parties you'd think. There's a part of me that wants to see them try this for EVERYONE - no matter the previous agreement. Employees that hold value and have what's needed will find new jobs without much disruption. The teams they leave behind will simply be in a mad scramble to back fill.

@an

Right. Because @$$ in chair = work being done. You've got to be pretty dim to think like this. Not the shiniest marble in the bag are we?

@er “ Objectives for 2026 are 4x per week”. Stretch objectives will now be 5 days a week in the office.

In our group, we are 5 days a week for more than 4 years now (since the end of COVID restrictions). Many of us really enjoy coming to the office. Some with long commute don’t like it.

They need to reevaluate the fully remote people. There are at least 10 in my area who reside in SE MI doing program management remote. Why don't they have to come to the office? At least one of them has a second job. Not right.

Objectives for 2026 are 4x per week. Will be interesting about the full remote folks. I've heard this is a real possibility. Welcome back to the Mother Ship!

@dt
Center of Gravity

@a5 what is COG

It's coming....

When my cube mate passes gas, it sounds like a cannon. Smells like the city dump.

I posted on here weeks ago I heard from a reputable source Ford was going to mandate RTO 5 days a week.

It's monkey see, monkey do with the "big 3". They almost always follow one another as they are unable to think independently.

This is going to be a significant advantage for Stellantis over Ford. We must adopt 5 days in-person collaboration as an improvement and to stay competitive. Ford is not meeting attendance objectives and this policy change will get us on track too.

They have already added 40+ new cubicles in my area and in all the buildings.

I overheard my LL5 / LL6 discussing plans to have the entire department return in person. Shortly after, my LL6 was on the phone with Facilities requesting desks for her two employees who had previously been working remote. Sounding like my team is being consolidated with the COG. One big happy circle so we can be in meetings all day.

The team was already informed last week that remote arrangements for out of towners are ending.

Ghost jobs posted without being filled also "supports" the claim of lack of qualified candidates to attempt to back up H1B hiring.