Remember this term, “Or desaparecidos” Spanish for “the disappeared,” a term used for people who vanish under authoritarian or repressive regimes (historically associated with Latin American dictatorships), implying the process feels secretive, chilling, and deliberate.
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@mq this was me as well. It was so secretive that nobody knew unless I informed them I got laid off. Oh well, 30 years gone. Moved on to another job and couldn’t be happier now.
Culture? Antonio DEI initiatives allowed the closet Kate Gosselin types, queen bees who thrived on drama, control, and nasty behind the scenes.
Several people I know were let go. I don’t think that’s a coincidence, it says a lot about the culture.
@j8 My manager never even spoke with me after I was WFR'd in a group meeting. A few close friends bid me farewell, some I keep in touch with but for the most part no one really cared much. Honestly I didn't care mush either and just moved on. The culture within HPE has pitted you against your co-workers and people are just glad it was you and not them.
November at HPE comes with a familiar kind of silence.
One person here. Another there. Small cuts scattered across departments. By the time people notice someone is missing, that person is already gone.
Then comes the part that stays with you.
Coworkers go quiet. People you worked alongside stop reaching out. Leaders carry on with the same upbeat messaging, while someone else heads into the holidays wondering how to tell their family.
The organization moves on before the person has even processed what happened.
And if you were someone who spoke honestly or challenged a leader, you’re left wondering whether the decision was about your work, or someone’s inability to handle the truth.
Meanwhile, everything is supposedly great. Another meeting. Another celebration of leadership. Barely an acknowledgment of the person who was just shown the door.
Business decisions can be difficult. Reaching out afterward doesn’t have to be.
But remember, these are leaders. Very special people.
You’d hope all that leadership came with a little humanity.
What’s your estimate for this round