Is anyone else dealing with tone deaf leadership? Everyone has an opinion, but trying to gaslight people into thinking this is good for all is absolute bullsh-t. Taking the VSP isn't best for everyone. Even those of us dealing with burn out who feel ready to move on can’t just jump ship if our financial footing is unstable. Some of these so called leaders need to stop telling us how to feel about our livelihoods. I guess it's easy for someone pulling in mid to high six figures to believe that taking the VSP is an easy win.
43 replies (most recent on top)
@f8 You get it! Your comment is highly appreciated. As a former, I've struggled to put into words how disappointing it has been to observe certain attitudes from some of our PLs. Thank you for taking the time to engage so thoughtfully and for addressing the observations I called out.
@OP As a People Leader (PL) here, I want to clarify that we are not all aligned on this. I never told my team that taking the VSP was a good thing, and I think it was wrong if a leader in your department said that. As others have stated on this board, PLs are in the exact same boat regarding layoffs. Perhaps your leader meant it was a good option only for those already planning to leave, but I would never make a blanket statement like that to my team.
Please try not to generalize all PLs. There are over a thousand of us running departments at Centene, and many of us are definitely not tone-deaf to this situation. As for the C-Suite, it is hard to tell if their jobs are on the line since they continue to bring on new board members. Wishing you the best of luck!
@d5 That must be an isolated incident because our leader never said that to our team. But I agree, no leader should ever say that.
@d5 Agree. I am not sure if I have ever seen so many middle level leaders on Director and Manager that lacked professionalism and self awareness of things that should be and should not be said. And then there is their hiring practices and “leadership” abilities have a lot to be desired.
It makes me wonder if any of them had ever really undergone any type of professional management level training.
Maybe these health insurance corporations, this is another cost cutting method is to hire and/or promote just about anyone into these roles. When I was in the military, I knew most soldiers with the rank of private that would have made better middle level leaders. Anyway, just kind of baffles me, that’s all.
@d2 For starters refrained from expressing personal views to their team. No lesder should make statements such as "If your offered VSP it's a good thing" or "You're getting to leave on your terms and get severance so take it as a win"
@d1 MA
@d0 I’ve been through layoffs before, too. They always play out the same way, and leadership rarely cares. The core issue with your post is that it comes across as wishing leadership had more empathy. Based on the comments, I think many of us feel the same way: what could Centene have actually done differently?
@cy what state are you in?
@cq It would be nice if we didn't make loaded statements like it's like that with every company because the fact is, it's not. I've been laid off twice and part of a buy out once and each of those experiences has been starkly different from what's happening at Centene. For the buy out in particular not once did I hear anyone in a leadership role try to convince the staff that it was a good thing as if it's a one size fits all scenario. At Centene I've heard more than one leader paint VSP as a win for those who are eligible.
@cx Re-read and try again.
@cr I am not taking it. If there was certainty that I would get approved for unemployment I would have accepted my VSP offer. The UC reps I spoke with for my state were confident I would be denied. With the current job market, I'm not willing to risk having to live off my savings for who knows how long. We can't take that chance with my family dynamic. I have former colleagues and relatives who have been out of work for almost a year, some longer.
@OP you really expecting leadership to care? This must be your 1st job. They don’t care about you no more than you care about them. It’s Not like you know the ppl in the C suite directly. Lol
@OP I read your post and been reading this whole thread. I think both of your views regarding leadership are right. Leadership is not going to care so take care of you. Did you apply for VSP or embracing yourself for a potential layoff?
@OP if I were you, I would not worry about leadership, their not going to care, it’s like that with every company all you can do is focus on setting yourself up for success in life. Just focus on moving on from this company.
@cm I don't know who you are either but you got my attention but in a goid way, lol. Everything you're saying is right. I do think this has gotten to a weird place and not because of you but because of the pesky gnats, lol.
@ck I'll say it again...this is MY post. You do not know me but you sure are doing a lot to grab my attention. You got it. As I've said, I have time. Have the night you deserve.
@cc Furthermore, you keep saying “my post” as if your name is actually on it. I have no idea who you are. This is a free, public post—you don't own it. Goodnight!
@cc You are not accurately tracking this conversation. I ended it a long time ago, explicitly told you to let it go earlier, and my last post said “goodnight.” That means stop replying to me. It seems like you are the one looking for attention here. Do you not understand what “move on” means? It means Stop “tagging/replying to me.”
@bz You are not keeping an accurate account of the responses and responders to your comments this may be due to the structure of this site, or maybe you think I'm the only one here who disagrees with your stance. I did not say you were on the wrong site, that was someone else in this thread. Yes I said your opinion was flawed, which was my opinion of your opinion, and still is. Again, follow your own advice and opinions regarding public forums and moving on. I said what I said on MY post. You said what you said, while repeatedly telling me and others to move on yet here you are, again...how about you lead by example. But as I previously said, I will give you the attention you crave...yes, that was me too.
My post was specific to gaslighting from leaders and you opted to come on this thread like a hit dog, adding commentary that is deflecting all while being obtuse.
@OP I know potential layoffs is very stressful and taking or not taking the VSP is very stressful and is causing a lot of anxiety. I think most of the people taking the VSP have either been here a long time, hate it here, or are probably on their way to pip anyway. The reality is unless you work for yourself, there is no such thing as job security. What is even scarier is how many jobs will be eliminated with AI. My advice is if you think you’re going to be in voluntarily laid off, get those applications out now ahead of the crowd. I think the healthcare industry in general is going to be affected in a major way by AI. The only jobs that are really safe anymore will be hands-on jobs like construction, food service workers, teachers, daycare workers, plumbers, electricians, things that will continue to require an actual human to do the tasks. If you’re a young person I would think about switching my entire career at this point.
@bq When you post on a public forum, you open it up for discussion. You tagged me first, calling my opinion "flawed" just because I see things differently. You even claimed I’m on the wrong site, as if this space is only for people looking for sympathy. You’ve continued to insult me further down the thread just because I suggested we move on from things we cannot change.
How many more posts do we need about how bad the VSP approvals and layoffs are? At this point, energy is better spent on an exit plan, finding a new job, or preparing for a transition. Corporate environments do not care, and wasting energy on unchangeable things won’t fix them.
I will continue to share my thoughts. If you disagree, that is fine, but do not attack me for having a different view. I don't look for constant sympathy or complain about things outside my control. Your polls and opinions don't change the reality—if you want progress, email Sarah directly about your frustration.
The VSP and buyouts didn't catch me off guard because I keep a year of savings for emergencies. Everyone's financial situation is different, but that doesn't justify a continuous pity party. This site isn't an echo chamber meant only for agreeing with you. Goodnight!
@bv Don’t expect much empathy from the C suite. Keep your expectations low.
@OP I agree with your post. Empathy from leadership is crucial right now but I guess they don’t care about us.
@be The irony is incredible. This is MY post. You didn't have to engage, yet you chose to dig your heels in. Now you keep telling me to move on from MY thread? If calling your take "obtuse" feels like name-calling to you, you’ve just proven my entire point about corporate gaslighting. Oh, what it must be like to live in your bubble. Since you clearly crave the attention, I'll give it to you. You obviously don't follow your own advice. So let’s keep going. I’ve got time.
@OP it’s obvious from some of the comments that you’ve struck a nerve but make no mistake, you are not imagining the mixed messages or the efforts to sugarcoat the huge mess caused at least in part by the company leadership taking some very bad advice on how to rollout this program. It is now being compounded by extending departure dates into another calendar year and by the video today all but ignoring it. These surely are strange times indeed.
@bj Too bad. Grab a blanket, go to your room, and cry over what someone else thinks.
@a2 “ongoing complaints are unexpected” is not an opinion. In my opinion it’s just another complaint. In reality (not opinion) the statement “the VSP results match what individuals applied” for is a fallacy. Stating “We”need to shift perception is also not an opinion, but a directive. Best of luck to you wherever you ended up in your own personal selection. Cheers
@aq No. How childish. If we’re all entitled to an opinion and mine is that you’re on the wrong website, respect it.
@bd You don't get to decide whose opinion is flawed here. This is a public, free site—you're not in charge. Let it go.
@bd I will keep sharing my thoughts. If you choose to spend your energy analyzing them, that is your choice. I will not change my words just because you feel uncomfortable. Adults can disagree with respect. If you do not like an opinion, you can move on instead of fighting over hurt feelings.There is no need for name-calling or acting superior. Your opinion does not change anything here anyway. Please move on.
@ax HAHA! The irony of coming onto my post to tell me to move on. If you didn't want your opinion analyzed, you shouldn't have C
commented with the same corporate gaslighting, tone deaf bullsh-t I called out on MY post.You chose to engage. If you can’t handle people calling out the flaws in your stance, you are entirely free to take your own advice and move on instead of being obtuse.
@av My opinion is my opinion. Please move on. I said what I meant. No need to overanalyze it. Move on.
Yall act like kids name calling because someone has a neutral response. Werid. It’s free to ignore! Don’t cost anything to keep scrolling.
@ar I'm not attacking your right to an opinion but I am calling out the fact that your "opinion" completely glazes over corporate gaslighting. Telling people facing financial instability to stop dwelling and focus on what they can control is pure corporate damage control. Yes, VSP is reality, but so is the lack of leadership transparency and empathy. Calling real world financial anxiety complaining just proves exactly how tone deaf your stance really is.
@ae It is funny how people throw tantrums over a different opinion and still call themselves adults. I can say what I want. You do not own this site, and it is not reserved just for your negative views.
@a2 I agree! Well said!
@ac We don't have to agree, but I ask that you respect my opinion. I said what I said, and my stance still stands. Choosing not to dwell on this doesn't make me overly emotional or negative. The VSP was accepted, and complaining further won't change the reality. Let's focus on the things we can actually control. (Sad that grown people can’t respect others views even when you disagree with it).
@an Actually, I am on the correct page. My view just differ from yours. Respect that and keep it moving.
@a2 It appears you’ve taken a wrong turn and landed on the wrong website.
You have all the tools necessary for critical thinking and this is how you use them? What a shame.
Perhaps dislodge that boot from your esophagus and see if the fresh air restores some of those IQ points for you.