I work in a department with good employees. Everyone gets along and works together to do a great job for WFC and we all have a good relationship with the managers. Everyone has their individual weaknesses and strengths which come together to form a good team. One person, who is also a good performer, is 55 and has been very open to managers that she would like a package if they were going to do cuts in our department.
We were notified, yesterday, that a good younger employee was let go. She’s been with us for about a year and has a good skill set, learned quickly, had a positive attitude, went above and beyond. I would have said she would be exactly who WFC should want to hold onto and promote. The point I want to make is that WFC cut the newer employee instead of the 55 year old who wanted the package. (I would have not wanted to see the 55 year old go either, she is wonderful, but she is ready.) So now - instead of giving one dedicated long-term employee what she wanted: WFC stuck it to her, a promising younger employee, and a decent manager. Nice.
Our manager says he pushed for the person who wanted the package, but the decision was made above him. Manager is being professional, but is clearly anguished that he apparently does not have the final decision over the employees he manages.
I don’t think anyone should be overly confident that their job is secure, or that the decision-making is sensible. I’m sure there is a method to their madness, but we should all be looking for something better. If they can let this gal go, any of us can be on the chopping block, and I don’t think your manager will have much say about it. Bad vibes all the way around today.