Been trying to stay optimistic since last week's announcement, but reality has set in.
Here are the facts from my purview: layoffs are inevitable if VSP numbers fall short. Months ago, my PL requested a detailed breakdown of every one of my direct report's duties, along with a performance ranking completely outside our normal review cycle.
There are no coincidences.
Leadership kept this VSP rollout strictly need-to-know at the very top. As a PL, I was left completely in the dark, though looking back, I can admit I ignored the signs.
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Something similar happened to me a few weeks ago. I had scheduled PTO and was out of office but received an apologetic but urgent call from my PL asking about how many hours I spent in a month doing XYZ. Since I work in compliance and the teams have gone through extensive restructuring over the past year and we have already been required to list all of our duties in very detailed order, I saw it as a follow question for incoming additional work. I see it differently now however and I'm very concerned.
Very stressful times. Thank you for sharing.
I remember my PL asking me to list out all of my responsibilities during the same call as my performance review. I said, “hmmm, okay… so layoffs are coming Q3.”
I used to work in M&A with HR and Communications, so the writing was on the wall.
looking at the columns of the spreadsheet, there was a “can someone else perform x?” I had to put yes, ‘cause someone else can, doesn’t mean they can do it better though. but for less pay? sure… another question, “if x is eliminated, will there be a business disruption?” I said okay wow, this is serious…
my PL has been honest and transparent with me this entire time. I was notified layoffs were coming three weeks ago, but everyone was blindsided by this VSP. it is incredible how tight they kept this.
when my PL told me about layoffs, I was like yeah, whatever, not my first rodeo… but now that we ALL got the eligibility notice to voluntary leave our jobs, we realize the budget is tighter than we thought. I’m nervous about both outcomes, being laid off or retained.
I’m already burnt out.