This was my first experience in the industry and worked for 1 year as an engineer (worked a couple of years in the academic sector previously). Everything seemed normal, I was happy with my work and I was so into it. I liked what I did and worked hard even on some weekends to add that "extra mile" they are so proud to talk. And then after a reunion of what to do next in the next weeks, just like that, the axe fell. No warning, no reasons (and I asked). Be it the merge with CSC or just a cyclic WFR (pretty sh--ty if you asked me, a formula to never let people grow), there is always a reason, a real reason, why you were chosen: you didn't meet their expectations, your salary is a tad high, the work you do is no longer necessary, you lack XX skills, you are abusing the benefits, attitude, favoritism, age, etc. I just don't know, I may not be the best since there are really good people in my department, but I am pretty sure I was not the worst from what I have seen. It is weird, it is like a roulette that the HR department plays to choose who is going to layoff next, and I am pretty sure that's not the case. If you have the balls to cut off an employee who lives on that pay check, at least have the balls to tell them the real reasons so they can grow and be more competitive in his/her next job. I can't take seriously a company like that, add it to the instability that HPE already has. Probably never going to work for them anymore, so disappointing.
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OP here. Yes I know that this is mostly a business decision. However, why were you chosen as the one that have to be laid off? Is you salary higher than your equals? Are you the one with the lower performance from your team? Are you doing a job that is not important enough? You are chosen because you are the least profitable in the long run or/and the one that reduces costs the most at the moment (or just reduce the necessary to close the numbers in the fiscal year). I am sure that there are legal stuff behind so they can't say much about the reasons. But, for us workers like @HUcCWuy-5fik said, what is left for us is our self-evaluation. Anyway, I am not coming back. Whatever the reason, HPE showed me that it is a company that cannot be trusted much with little to no space to grow. This is my conclusion after working there.
I don't think it's fair to depict it as a business decision, implying that the WFR is to the benefit of the business, rather than just a benefit to Meg and her cronies.
I doubt she cares at all about the underlying business and I'm sure she already has an exit plan once stockholders catch on that she is making HPE non-viable.
The decisions most definitely impact careers, and livelihood. Thy are only business decisions to the business. To the persons impacted, it is very, very, personal.
Please understand...HPE is making business decisions not career-impacting decisions. As such, there is a fire sale to reduce cost of retaining inventory - where the cost/inventory just happens to be people. We, in USA, have daughters & sons graduating from college and can't find a job - it's not ageism - it's globalization and offshoring of our US jobs. There are no answers or reasons for your WFR, just revenue & profit and facts & business.
I'm really sorry this happened to you. There are plenty of IT jobs out there...so they say. Companies are hiring...so they say, and HP looks good on a resume so they say. But you made a valid point, we were all ditched for a reason. I think employers tend to wonder what that reason really is as much as the laid off worker does. Not knowing why is so unfair. It makes no sense. Some people can say their company moved to Ireland or the plant closed. But we have to say, "I got laid off." I hope you quickly find another position.
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They don't care about anyone's balls.
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They probably have a low cost country replacement lined up
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or perhaps your work wasn't in the upper tier, so self evaluation needs to be made
It's very sad to see HP go this far down hill. There is always a reason for the WFR. Don't take it personal, and it rarely has anything to do with you personally, managers are told get rid of X people. Yes it a personality contest, without any clue as to EEOC violations. I suspect HP will face a lot of law suits over the way WFRs are being done. Bottom line is your job went off shore to someone with little experience and a whole lot cheaper. Be thankful you are out.
I'm sorry this happened to you. At least HP looks good on a resume. Use it to find a bigger and better position.
Best of luck to you!
yes, getting laid off in your late 50's can really be stressful. That is what happened to me. I was never any trouble, did everything i was asked and more. over 30 yrs exp....the stress hits you harder as you get older. paycheck to paycheck.....trying to figure out how to live without a paycheck....I believe that working in IT ...it is not best to work for a BIG company anymore, you want small to mid sized....Good Luck....