Just wondering if there would be signs or it's a surprise
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Backfilling work isn't always necessary, and no, I didn't know. Laid off several teams over the years. This is obviously something that depends on the circumstances, nature of the work etc. so let's not make any bold / blanket proclamations.
The real answer is "it depends". In some cases, the movement is known by the direct manager months in advance. In other cases they may have received a more limited heads up (like a few weeks). And in other cases, managers find out literally minutes before the action takes place or after the event occurs. I would assume that the higher up you are in the company the more likely you are to have advance notification.
Personally, I have had displacements that occurred in all three scenarios. I've also had scenarios where I was very involved in the selection process for who would be displaced and in other scenarios that decision was made and communicated on my behalf.
@rio+1lKohsNc
Maybe. But it is how it happened for alot of folks. My mgr knew about a few weeks before that the team was going to be loosing folks. How many and when was not known and I believe him. We lost more than was being telegraphed.
Who shares the message if a manager isn't in the office?
Managers not knowing is total BS as they have to plan for backfilling work.
depending on the level direct managers didn't know.
I had to lay someone off last year. I was told to pick someone two months prior.
About two weeks before the cut date, I was told that i had to let them go.
coworker got laid off, direct boss found out when coworker called boss. no idea about lvl2 manager.
They do, "When" they find out all depends on the LOB
Last year the layoffs were sudden, managers given no notice. This year the narrative is different. As more cuts happen, there has been more collaboration with upper/lower mgmt to make sure risk is managed more appropriately.
This doesn't suggest your manager has any power over who gets to stay or go, moreso that managers are given more time to adjust and craft a message to the remaining crumbs on the team.
Mine was notified at least by midday Sunday as that's when a 1:1 was scheduled for today.
Tech worker here — let go in October 2022
No- my immediate manager didn’t know
My 2-up says (guess I believe her but who knows) she found out ~10 minutes before I got the phone call
Heard directly that info was relayed to managers 2-3 days before.
Usually the day before, so they can digest talking points. Earlier if there is a strict business need, but that'd be a rare exception.