My meeting invite was “[name of department] discussion” sent day before. Was told to get a conference room which was weird as I had a private office at the time. Felt what was coming; ensured I had everything of worth off my PC/network drive beforehand. HR.joined the call unexpectedly. Mgr gave the notice, HR gave the details. Happened on a Friday around noon-ish. Never looked back.
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My "touchbase" came in March 2020.
I logged into my regular 1-on-1 with my manager. When i brought up the meeting, I noticed that my mgr's boss, and the HR guy was on the call as well.
They laid me off just as COVID was shutting down hiring across the country. It was a scary time. Luckily, I had the COVID relief funds + unemployment. I was out of work for a little over two months. Lucky.
But I will never forgive my manager for the way they went about it. I could tell I was being set up - long before the "Touchbase". Those snarky email responses that had the ring of a BCC: to upper mgt.
They hated me because I refused to work more than 40 hours. I don't mind working late, but when I get zero help, and there is no plan to hire someone else to take on some of the load, I'm working my 40 hrs and going home.
I landed on my feet. In a new city, and much better off financially.
Mine was on a scheduled 1-on-1 call with my manager.
When I joined (mid afternoon), his boss was on, and an HR person.
My manager didn't say a word. His boss and HR did all the talking.
My manager called me the next day, and we both ended up in tears.
He never saw it coming, and he said he did all he could to keep me.
I just accepted a job offer yesterday. 10% raise, fully remote.
RIP Fiserv... you were once great.
Any follow up?
Do what I do; ignore the meeting invites.
Sorry OP, please hold your head high and know you did nothing wrong. You're likely to land a better job.
I’ve done a couple of RIFs. It’s normally your manager sending the invite, then HR joins unexpectedly. The manager gives the spiel, then HR gives the details. It isn’t necessarily at the of the day, HR has several to attend and tells the manager when to schedule It. BTW - the manager is told not to say they are sorry - stick to the script. Even if they don’t say it, they probably are sorry, like I was.
Hope it’s something else - good luck!
Your manager could be getting laid off. Maybe this is a surprise handoff meeting?
At least they don’t want to pick your brain
Yep, it’s coming. Best of luck to you. You will be better off in the long run.
I had a friend get laid off in the last round. She got a meeting invite from her manager to “catch up.” When she joined the call, it was someone from HR. Her manager never joined the call.
Well, in my case, my manager got it at the same time as me.
Also they normally lay you off at the end of the day, they get an extra day off work out of you that way.
That’s not how it happens, your manager will let you know.
Did you look to see what that persons role is?