I hate having to guess about layoffs and then be caught off guard when it happens. Why can't they announce in advance there'll be layoffs so that everybody can prepare for the possibility? Every time we have to hear about it a day or two in advance. That's not fair towards any of us.
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We all know there is an external consultant
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I have worked here for many years and have survived all cuts and layoffs. The secrets to my success? I learn all the latest buzzwords, and can proudly say I introduced "levelset" to our vocabulary. I also keep busy shopping and planning vacations while claiming other's ideas as my own. I've also hired friends and lovers to help insulate me from the hatchet man.
You're welcome!
Companies are required under the WARN Act to give 60 days notice of major layoffs (defined as > 50 employees for a company of Sabre's size) to the Department of Labour (not the SEC).
In the EU, it's 30 days for layoffs of more than 30 employees.
Minor layoffs they do not need to notify the SEC. Major ones they have to report
How would employees prepare for the possibility of layoffs? I could think of several possible scenarios:
- Update your CV, apply for another job and leave. The employees most likely to leave would be the same ones that the company would like to keep.
- Slack off. You're being laid off anyway, why bother working?
- Worry. A distracted employee would likely be less productive.
- Work harder to avoid being the 'weakest link' that will be laid off. Good for the company in the short term but fear-driven, 'Hunger Games' style work environment would be soul-sucking existence that would eventually sap all energy out of everyone.
The way I see it, there's not a lot of upside for Sabre (or indeed any company) to pre-announce layoffs. It's just a distraction that spooks employees and investors.
If you really want to know in advance if there are going to be layoffs, I'd say your best bet would be to look at the regulatory filings that every company makes. You can find out a lot by reading between the lines in the guidance companies give to the SEC and to investors. Also, in some jurisdictions, employers are required to file a notice of pending employment-related actions.
You basically answered yourself in your own question. Why can't they tell us about layoffs in advance so everyone can prepare for it?
What do you think anyone told that they would be laid off 3 months in the future would do to prepare for it?
Would they work extra hard to finish everything they were working on and transition all their knowledge to their replacement?
No.
They would do the bare minimum at work to avoid being fired and then spend every other second they can trying to find another job.
The people who need to know about layoffs already know about them well in advance so they can prepare business continuity for Sabre.
If you are in Poland or India you should be fine. It’s very possible at some point in the US of their high compensation for employees and being top heavy down.
Working for Sabre you will need to be able to handle this situation. Sabre has mini laid offs each year and major ones every few years
That is not new. You should always be prepared for layoffs. That is the Sabre culture.