Many in my team were axed last week, including my manager. I was spared, maybe because I'm in EMEA, maybe because I don't cost much. I'm left here, horrified by what happened, and especially by how it happened, confused at not having any direction, already survivor's guilt kicks in. Then I get contacted by another team where I'm supposed to move, nothing official yet, but got some work to do. Now there's not only the survivor's guilt, but the creepy and dirty feeling of doing something wrong, like a collaborationist in a fascist regime, working with the same people that sent your colleagues to the firing squad.
How do you deal with that?
8 replies (most recent on top)
Umm, by hunting for a new job? In a different company?
Well, the first step is to talk to friends who were competent and offer to write decent recommendations on LinkedIn for them, Keep your industry network up and healthy. Its easy and natural to simply not talk to them for a while because it might make you feel less awkward, but that is not what they need. If you know them well, offer to be a reference if they need one.
Don't get too comfortable. In the past they did RIFs in different geos on different schedules. EMEA and some places like Japan have tighter laws which makes it harder and takes them longer to do RIF's.
My advice is to start looking for another job. ORCL does RIFs like clockwork. You want to find something else before the job market stalls in the next year. Good luck.
Yes, other countries give waaaaaay more consideration for laid off workers. In the form of a long notice of your position being eliminated.
The US has NOTHING like this, in general. Employment is at will on both sides of the transaction. Try to appreciate that.
This is why companies spend millions on union busting and avoidance. Probably way more than treating employees decently would cost. But it is about control. If you don’t have any contract or written agreement, you are powerless.
What’s worse is that this union busting industry has convinced workers that it’s the union that is the bad guy. Ooooh they will take your dues and spend them! Ooooh unions are corrupt! When someone spends this much effort to coerce you into thinking something is BAD for YOU, time to question their motives.
Take it simple and move on.
This will sound harsh. If you had been in a country without labor laws, they would have fired you too. You did not survive because of you. You survived for now because of where you live. It’s not personal. It’s a business decision. You shouldn’t feel bad for prioritizing you. Those hiring you are still people. They likely aren’t impacted and the world does move on. Your conscience will thank you later if you keep moving forward.
It’s simple, can you look in the mirror and know you gave your best efforts and your productivity shows it?
I’ve worked with many people that could put on a show and do little to nothing. I became offended I was more productive then them and earning less. I believe a company should compensate those that earn the most for the company. When I got into electronics engineering and computing I was told to be prepared for change as the world was always evolving. When I leave a company I know I have my best effort.
Simple. Stay laser focused on the ones who pulled the trigger on the layoff, that being ownership, management and Oracle.