Thread regarding VMware layoffs

While I agree that for profit companies are just that, and that people are responsible for themselves... Where I think it breaks down is when companies, who really don't care about the employees, say "We're a team, Let's build this together, we are family, blah blah blah..." People believe this and they feel like they are truly part of the "living company organism". So then when you cut out, exorcised, fired, etc. you take it personally.

I think everyone would be better off if were a true employee/employer relationship, as in the way of actual commerce. You are trading your time for $$$, that's it. It stops there. That doesn't mean we shouldn't work hard or be proud of what we do, it just needs to be kept in perspective.

I don't care what type of insane DEI, or "culture", or call it whatever you want to... at the end of the day if the numbers in the spreadsheet don't line up... you are just a number that gets subtracted.

Your manager and co-workers might care you are gone, but with every level removed from that point, so are the emotions. "say, did you hear that one guy got let go yesterday?" all they way to "Congrats team, we balanced the budget."

When younger people (am not OLD) come into the work force wanting to be a part of something, make a change, etc. this is what you get. And it isn't always younger people either. I just see that more and more on social media from them.

I am sorry for his family's loss.

I worked for dell during Covid, the stress was tremendous, I was working 60-70 hours a week, for 2 years - solid.
When I told my manager I was burned out mentally and needed the week off, as he was headed to his beach house, and he asked me join a couple of more calls during my week off and I should be proud of my co-workers that were working weekend and nights. I turned my notice in the next week. Not worth it.

Micheal D - take note! hope the deal fails.

I hear you... In an ideal world the employer could care more. But think about it, who is the most responsible for your personal health, wellbeing and sanity? Is it your employer? Your partner? Your parents? I strongly believe the answer is "you".

I'm not saying people shouldn't be mindful and kind to each other, but what I'm saying is that even when everyone else is out to harm you, it's your absolute responsibility to manage and protect yourself. Once we defer our wellbeing to any 3rd party, we compromise all control over our life and our ability to help anyone else too...

13 yrs of poor management could mess someone up. I'm not going to be quick to victim blame Lawrence. If anything I blame Dell all the more for not noticing and attempting to do something if they weren't one of the direct factors. (Ever work under a gaslighting true narcissist before? I don't recommend it messes with your head big time.) A large portion of our lives is spent in the workplace, so yes I hold the employer responsible for the living conditions and welfare of the employees. 36% of the hours in a week not sleeping is spent at work. That doesn't include transportation time or lunch break since technically that could be out of the office. Point is that is a lot of time for it to be acceptable to have heartless greed driven employers considered acceptable. Humans do not thrive under that type of condition. Says everyone who hates their job and is stressed over work. I'm sure someone one will disagree, but you'll get to see because Broadcom moves the needle further that direction than VMware. See which one was better for the employee welfare after tasting both.

Just a thought, but if losing a job makes you shoot yourself, it's not the job that made you do it, there are other issues. Let's not blame for-profit organizations for doing what they're designed to do, people need to adjust their expectations to reality or risk getting hit hard once the illusions dissipate. Companies are not families...

I used to work at an awful Enterprise tech company where the environment was so toxic that I would have regular panic attacks. No job is worth that. I eventually left on my own accord and made a rule for myself that if any job becomes even remotely close to that then it's time to start looking for something else. I really do feel for this guy's family. And I wish that he had gotten the mental assistance that he clearly needed prior to making his decision.

I know its a difficult time right now. But again, no job is worth sacrificing your mental health. Take care of yourselves.

You can call 988 in the US.

You should still have access to Lyra Health even though it can be a challenge to find an available therapist on there. If you can't find one on their portal, put in a request for a Lyra admin to call you and they will also look to see if they can get one for you or as soon as one becomes available. Don't hesitate to use this benefit if needed.

Get mental help if you need help. It’s a sad situation. Maintaining your own individual health is critical.

Anger is not healthy. Take a break.