I was laid off from USB after 15 years of strong performance. It was really hard especially at 50. But I adapted and landed a better job in a difference industry, smaller company and I’m really happy here.
Occasionally, when I see a LinkedIn headline about someone leaving USB I’ll come here to see if they’re still laying off at the same pace. You’re not going to like this, but I want to be blunt with you for your own good.
The endless debate on here about return-to-office policies must be a very useful barometer to the leadership as they make decisions about headcount and offshoring.
The one thing you all agree on is that this is the darkest point in USB history. Okay. I don’t know about that, the stock price higher than it’s been in years. But let’s say you’re right. So during crisis, you all want to focus on d-mb stuff like how much will I have to go in to an office? Which days count? What’s the minimum I can do and remain employed? That tells me there is plenty of mediocrity left at USB and they should keep cutting.
If your primary concern is whether you have to spend two or three days in an office, you are focusing on the wrong thing.You have choices. Level up. Learn faster. Contribute more. Build relationships. Become the person people want in the room. Or find a new gig. What doesn’t seem to be working for you is treating office attendance as the defining issue of your professional life.