Thread regarding Centene Corp. layoffs

Completely agree. This has been handled as well as it possibly could be. Business is business but some folks just want to find a bad guy (or gal) to hate on.

some of these VSP packages were abysmal... I saw some people post on here that they were being offered $8K and $13K... what are they supposed to do with that?

I'm in Florida, where the unemployment wage is a joke: $275/wk before taxes for 12 weeks and that's IF it is approved.

some of our workforce is living paycheck to paycheck. I'm fortunate to not be in that situation, but I empathize with those who are stressed the f*ck out. people have a right to be upset or feel whatever they feel right now. this is not the time to tone police anyone.

yes, there are great PL, but out of the 7 managers I have had during my time here, only 2 have been decent in terms of competence, guidance/communication and trustworthiness. the rest of them? TRASH.

Sorry OP but your message is condescending and out of touch. Wait until you get undeservedly canned and have been out of work for two years and running out of money. I would be interested to hear how your tune changes at that time. Keep your “counseling” sessions to yourself. This is not the place nor the time for it. Read the room!

They're still going to RIF people on August 1st and those folks WON'T get a lovely VSP package. What's humane about that?

Hey, Sarah. How ya been?

Agreed 100%. The ones that are having the issues are probably ones where their performance is horrible. They have a tenant issues they’re attitude bad they never step up and I’ve been here 20 years and I’m I’m not on here complaining. I’m grateful for these 20 years, do I wanna go look out for another job? No, I don’t but my offer is really good.

all I know is they better keep the same energy for involuntary layoffs, but a penny less in severance.

@OP I'm sorry but really? Did they offer the last round of people they laid off - you know the ones whose last days were May 29th and June 5th of this year a nice buy out? NO they didn't. And they one they are offering us is insulting. Did you know about that layoff or the ones they have being doing in waves over the last 4 years? No you probably didn't. Small waves helps them avoid the WARN report. They are deflecting and this is all about PR nothing more - because more lay offs are coming in August. Not to mention that a group of their investors are suing them for fraud. And they have been steadily hiring external employees over the last several weeks even though SL stated "we didn't want to bring in any outsiders during the hiring freeze". I am sorry but if you don't see what's going on you're a fool. Stop handing these incompetent people and companies excuses to get out jail free passes or you'll be eating sh-t sandwiches the rest of your life.

@OP I like turtles

@ae I beg to differ. "The best way it can possibly be done" is to cut the fat at the top—you know, the ones who collected several millions of dollars of taxpayers' money?

There were massive layoffs constantly at my last employer. They also had a lot of long timers that were towards the end of their career. They would have loved this option but unfortunately it wasn’t given and people just starting off or were mid career professionals with families were laid off with no notice.

Layoffs su-k but this is the best way it can possibly be done.

Agree that offering the VSP with increased benefits is a respectful thing. It's much better than shoving ppl out the door with no options.

Well said! Thank you and I agree. I’m very appreciative and grateful (not hateful). I hope the people spewing their toxic hate take the offer and do us all a favor- leave and take their toxicity with them.

Ok sarah

@a5 well thought out and respectful exchange, Agree mistakes have been made but they have also been dealt some curveballs by this administration whether you voted for them or not.

@a7 A Reduction in Force (RIF) is a permanent elimination of specific jobs due to restructuring or budget cuts, whereas a layoff is traditionally a temporary separation where the employer intends to recall workers when business picks up

It would be great though if we had any idea what the internal targets were by department or position. Sending this VSP to the majority of employees with no real data to make our decisions isn't very kind.

@OP Are you living under a rock? Where have you been?? This IS a layoff!
​Spare me the 'executives are human' narrative. Being 'human' doesn't entitle you to a golden parachute while the people who actually did the work are left to scramble. It’s funny how the call for empathy only ever flows upward in this company. Where was the empathy for the employees who have been busting their a-- for years while these leaders inflated their own bank accounts with taxpayer money? They aren't 'human' victims in this they are the architects of the situation. We’ve been duped by a fake 'mission' and frankly, the only thing 'horrible' here is expecting us to feel bad for the people who are walking away with millions while we deal with the mess they created.

This approach sure beats the he-l out of the one 3 years ago.

@OP I work at Centene. I have watched the executives make, for a lack of a better word, stupid moves. This has become the norm and not the exception. I am lucky and the VSP makes sense for me where I am in my career. Don't get me wrong, I have done well with the company. But have become disillusioned over the last several years due to the foolishness of the executive management.
I like my team. I like most of the people. But I don't see the executives making good decisions on a regular basis.
I hope like heck my view on things is wrong. But in my opinion Sarah London and all the people she brought on board after dismissing prior execs need to move on to another venture. Hopefully they just retire before they pull the heart out of another company.

@a3 Not saying anyone is perfect or immune from criticism. Some of the comments have crossed lines was my point.

Nobody here hates anyone, but let's stop pretending leadership decisions are immune from criticism. Poor decisions have consequences, and when those decisions contribute to the problems Centene is experiencing, people have every right to call them out.

We routinely see political leaders criticized, mocked, and scrutinized for their decisions. Whether it's Trump, Biden, or anyone else, that's part of accountability. Why should corporate leadership be treated differently?

In sports, when a team keeps losing, ownership eventually fires the coach. They do it because results matter. When fans are frustrated and players have lost confidence, change becomes inevitable.

Accountability isn't a personal attack. It's a response to performance. And if leadership continues making decisions that hurt the company, employees shouldn't be expected to sit quietly and applaud.

Make no mistake—this situation is heading into the mud because that's what happens when frustration is ignored for too long.

Could not have said this better myself!

Completely agree!