I was a high performer, got exceeds rating for last 2 years. I was laidoff, no job yet nor anyone reaching out. All jobs I am applying to are getting cancelled. The people I used to worked my ex bosses who are still at Schwab don't even want to communicate. Was there any direction given to the leadership not to communicate via LinkedIn and other means with laidoff associates.
What is going on, this is totally weird.
27 replies (most recent on top)
I feel compelled to post to this particular topic. It was quite the wake up call. There were a few of us that communicated the first week. I thought these people actually cared - while employed I received many, many comments/SendWords on how much I was valued, what would they do without me, etc.
I thought these people were my “work” friends and I thought I would get some much needed support. Except for two people, It’s been crickets since our official severance from the company (Jan 5th)
I know I shouldn’t expect more, but I do. Next time I’m asked for something, I absolutely will not help
You realize who your true friends are when you lose your job. One day they will be in the same situation. Called karma.
As one of the laid off employees: I’m torn on this topic. I don’t expect (or really want) my old leaders to reach out to me but I am surprised by the lack of coworker/peers who are reaching out. So far it’s only been one. I just chalk it up to everyone being busy and moving on, which I’m doing as well.
I don’t think it’s some massive conspiracy theory though, the MD who laid me off actually mentioned that I could come back to Schwab one day, sounded genuine and a little hopefully like trying to gauge my reaction. I did not react.
Are y’all referring to the lay off from Oct last year? Why would anyone expect a PL to check in on you when no longer an employee?
Maybe check in on them if you need that validation, but not judge someone based on some expectation they should check in.
The LinkedIn is bad and probably for the bet if they dropped the connection. We can all start out fresh and make new beginnings. The right mindset will help you.
I think people were afraid. While at Schwab, I was 1) afraid to grant or receive any kind of work recommendation through fear of losing my position, 2) afraid to search for side-work or other streams of income like owning my own LLCs due to retaliation, 3) afraid to participate in company-store programs.. I can get more HSA dollars if I let my boss company monitor my health vitals and know the state of my heart, kidney, and other systems... eww I know, but it is real. The restrictions I can only conclude are completely Un-American and should not be legal.
Fake news
wow sad to read about the experience some of you have had. I had the complete opposite. my leaders checked in on me often and even sent me info on jobs opening where they had a connect in the company. I feel blessed to have that support
Went to a group bonding event pre layoff and everyone knew I was being laid off but me lol! Gotta love it! I guess my MD blabber to all but couldn’t find it within herself to give me a heads up of any kind. Could the whole thing have been handled any worse???
I had a “leader” who I got along with well
immediately disconnect from me on Linked In. Such a sweetie! Karma is a bi***. I hope someone does the same to her when she is one day laid off. What goes around comes around!
I agree with @2wou+1r0HLoor and the others on the directors snooping and asking certain semi-personal questions during our 1 on 1 meetings with PL and MD, stuff like "oh I just want to get to know you better what your aspirations are and career path blah blah" . Now thinking about it, it seems they knew about the layoffs way before because the questioning began over a year earlier.
ex-STS here BTW. Out of about 40 people I mentored, trained, recommended for promotion, only one reached to me afterwards and only because he jumped the ship as well and landed a new job. Thank God this is not my first rodeo. But still, makes you lose faith in humanity a bit.
Good luck y'all
Correct statement. Directors 100% put certain candidates up for lay off. Don't like you? You're out of here. You challenge them? You're also out of here. Don't believe the consulting firm charade. People leaders choose.
It is a shame too that those of you remaning at Schwab don't have the decency to check in on those of us that were impacted. Shame on you and your lack of humanity. It's cold and isolating to lose a job like this. Its even worse when people who you helped out ignore you.
Your leader 100% picked you to be terminated. The consulting firm recommended where to cut costs leadership made the decision on who. My director who can’t keep secrets at all disclosed all this info.
Yeah, if you are still at Schwab and you haven't reach out to at least one laid off employee, you might be a bad person. Even worse if you are a PL.
I have learned that Schwab senior leaders are paranoid and vindictive. As a PL, I should be worried about helping friends that were laid off because our leaders are juvenile and unpredictable. Know what? I don't give a sh-t. If a friends asks me for a referral or advice-- I am there. Schwab can su-k it.
I see why you've been laid off twice... let us know how that piece of paper works out for you...
I went to a better university than my manager, director, tech lead, PO, etc... So their reccommendation is worthless to me.. I was laid off twice before from other tech companies.. what got me a job was problem solving skills.. not some lame recommendation from a person who went to an unknown university and hasn't done anything meaningful in their lives
I went to a better university than my manager, director, tech lead, PO, etc... So their reccommendation is worthless to me.. I was laid off twice before from other tech companies.. what got me a job was problem solving skills.. not some lame recommendation from a person who went to an unknown university and hasn't done anything meaningful in their lives
I think those managers are avoiding getting themselves in trouble... it may not be a company policy but a personal one... if you are asking for a reference, thats more of an HR issue and they should validate employment dates.
@ichs - that phrase has several meanings and I think there are more 2s and 3s than 1s in the world, sadly.
A friend in need is a friend indeed
phrase
1: A true friend is one who helps you when you are in need.
2: Someone who needs your help is likely to be more friendly towards you.
3: A needy friend is an undesirable friend.
@1chs+1r0HLoor They can keep those miserable openings to the Yes-men who kept their jobs.
That is Schwab Nice for you. It is just shame on such people. You are better off now being in touch with them. They say a "A friend in need is a friend indeed!". Now you know who your true friends are. Good Luck.
If Schwab is really covering up internal postings from laid off employees, then I’m sure the affected employees have grounds to sue.
It was surprising to me too that no one I reported to reached out. A couple of coworkers reached out and most others just said cursory polite things.
Right you really learn what people are made of during a time like this. I have co workers that i was close to who treat me like I’m dead…not to mention my direct leaders. I think it’s because they are young, inexperienced and fear for their own jobs.
I too was a great performer he everyone liked and was kicked to the curb.
The job market is so bad and competitive that it is entirely likely that I will have to sell my home. Isn’t that something. You knock yourself out, put up with all kinds of b.s., are told you exceeds expectations year after year just be put in this situation. It’s really special!
I was laid off and still communicate with my team and boss on occasion... Only because I still consider some of them friends.
LinkedIn is different, Schwab has a policy that employees are not allowed to give recommendations, in case this is what you are referring to. I've also noticed that a handful of people didn't accept my connection request immediately, I'm assuming they only check their LinkedIn on occasion.
Managers can talk with those that were laid-off, there's no legalese forbidding it. What you are seeing is the true side of most people at Schwab. They simply don't care. Remember this when you have a job and others are looking for help, it makes a big difference when someone is kind enough to reach out and check on how you are.
Some managers will communicate out-of-band, but most follow guidance or are embarrassed. It is easier to ghost than face possibly uncomfortable questions and guilt.
Most departments and HR make it very clear that you are at risk as an employee if the firm is confronted with legal action. They have specific policies, including not providing recommendations, to insulate.
Several of us noticed that the internal jobs that laid off employees were supposed to have exclusive access to were not posted on the web site for laid off employees. These jobs were only posted for active (non-laid off employees). Laid off people were never even given a chance to posts for these.
If you are over age 40 and did not get the Older Workers Benefits Protection Act paperwork that they are required to give you in a layoff (ages of all the people you were compared to), your signed agreement is not valid and you can still sue Schwab. I know of several former employees that did not get this paperwork. I am planning to pursue why impacted employees have been denied the opportunity to apply to internal jobs.
In the meantime, I am thankful to have gotten paid to leave this soulless company. I truly feel sorry for the people still left.