Highmark just laid off another 200 plus people today. Me included. People across all departments. People who were set to retire this year. They don't care. Good thing the CEO made 9 million last year tho.
201 replies (most recent on top)
Apparently certain departments were told on the down low by management that it's definitely the latter part of June & will be alot of people. Primarily older folks nearing retirement and those that management deem as not meeting expectations.
Man I can’t believe what happened to this company. Before we became acquisitioned by Highmark I loved working for HealthNow, now not so much. Boy the old hierarchy sc--wed us over royally
I heard rumors for my department which scares me. I’m the main provider for my family and with 5 children I get so anxious that I’m starting to have migraines. I pray the rumors are wrong but from what I seen and read for some of the other departments it seems like it could be inevitable so I’m getting extremely nervous
Yeah I was basically told by my manager too that things will be happening next month too. Don’t want to say or reveal too much for fear of repercussions but isn’t boding too well for my department which is sad I work with a lot of good people. Sad of an ending as I have over 25 years here and don’t know what I will do next. Truly su-ks and hate how all this turned out. Working for HealthNow was great until Anderson got here and sold us out. i miss my girls! Love ya Ladies
I put 6/23 because was informed it was the week before the end of June. Probably the Friday before and not 6/23. Regardless, heard in part because of the redundancy in departments and since the 3 year window is done they want to downsize before the move to the new building. Still sad it has to come to an end. I see everyone blames Highmark, I don’t .. I blame the old regime that put us in that position to where we had to merge. They got their big payout and the left the rest of us hanging
For the end of June, what is the target area?
Last time was provider service /support area. Before that it was all over the place.
Usually areas where Thryve has been trained to work in the background. If Thryve comes into play to support your area in some capacity, that's a big clue.
Nope I was told the end of June . So like I said when I find out more….
Interesting comment from poster below. Assuming you meant 5/23 and not 6/23? HM disclosing “exactly what is happening” doesn’t seem to coincide with all the previous layoffs which were an ambush delivered immediately and clinically without any explanation or answers as to who or why those let go were selected other than “it’s nothing personal”. To all - Keep sharing this thread with current and former LowMark employees. While their motto of “better together” clearly is a joke - sharing of factual information can be of value. Stay strong and vigilant.
Yes, the layoffs are happening again. Just found out that I’ll know exactly what is happening on Thursday (6/23). Told by my manager there is a package, however exactly what the package is I haven’t a clue yet. Some have told me 2 weeks for every year of service but is cap at 52 weeks. I’ve been here for over 35 years so very sad how this is all ending but might be a sign that it’s time to retire anyway. I’ve worked with numerous excellent colleagues but also several on the other end of the spectrum. Once I find out exactly on Thursday my situation I post again
Anyone hearing anything about next round in June?
The majority of my department was let go recently. Prior to that, when Highmark took over HealthNow, a lot of my team used up their 3 weeks of PTO within the first few months and five people quit without notice. These were hard working, loyal people, so this was out of character for all of us. Quite a few of us were getting so stressed it was leading to physical illness. With me, I wasn’t sleeping, my migraines came back almost daily and my depression returned. I’m a person who meditates 3 times a day, does breath work, is in therapy and on meds…so I was doing everything I could, but it wasn’t enough. The training was terrible! They were not upfront and honest about the changes to our roles or the work we would be asked to do. We were all trained on different things, so we couldn’t ask anyone questions…except the one trainer. She seemed nice at first, but soon came to realize she wasn’t that understanding. She would lecture us like children about not asking questions, but when we did, she accused us of not taking notes (even though we did). We were still in training and they set us up for failure. They made the training so unbearable to force us out. I’ve seen it happen with a previous company I worked for (and they did all the same things…to the point of laying off 95% of the company). Highmark piled on more and more work for the ones who didn’t get laid off. They micromanaged us to the point we needed to account for every minute of the day. When our numbers were low, we were questioned. Needless to say, the morale of our dept became so depressing. Healthnow used to be so amazing! We worked as a team, helped each other out, had flexibility and an awesome manager. Working for HealthNow was the only thing keeping my depression at bay, and Highmark brought it back. I pray everyone who quit or was laid off finds new employment soon. Employment that pays you what you’re worth and treats you like a human being…not just a random number. I say “random” because that’s the only explanation I could think of as to why they chose specific people to lay off. I pray that things get better for the employees still employed by Highmark. I can’t disclose much more, out of fear of retaliation.
To the recent poster who asked if you can collect un-employment along with the severance: first off, what state are you in? Check the laws of that state. If you are in NY state you cannot begin to collect unemployment until the severance runs out. For example, if they paid you a lump sum amount equaled to 12 weeks....you can't put in your claim until that 12 week is over. Once the severance period is over, you can then file your claim for future weeks. In other words, your claim doesn't start until the period the severance covers is over. So, no you can't get both at the same time. You'll have to wait to file. And if you happen to find a job before that 12 weeks is up, then you can't claim at all.
Does anyone know if you can collect Unemployment in addition to the severance package?
Just read that Buffalo got hit with more lay offs yesterday. Not waiting until July 🤔
Anyone hearing any rumors about enGen layoffs coming soon?
So here is the trash they’re pulling at HighMark now! Won’t tell you where to return your computers and monitors it’s been over 2 weeks now - and til they get their s**t equipment - they’re holding up your severance!! And holding your earned PTO that is due to you! This is the worst cheating lying company that I have ever worked for! I highly recommend never to join them! They micro manage you and lie like rugs!
Heard a strong rumor of layoffs in June/July and possibly again in December. Leaders are asked to evaluate each employee at detail level. I know some of the directors hate this but do it anyway to save their job
To the poster who said change is needed at the top....that couldn't be MORE true. Leadership has flawed character which leads to flawed decisions and running of the business. Vice President of Talent Acquistion is a perfect example. Awful human being and those are the folks that are leading the way during this challenging economy.
In team sports, if the team doesn't do well or does win it all, captain usually gets the credit. Quite opposite in Highmark - Company don't seem to be doing well and workers bees are axed. We definitely need change at the top. At Highmark, at enGen (Mic and chronies are a joke) and at AHN. I also feel bad for NY folks, their leadership sold them to the devil.
Does the company pay laid off employees left over PTOs for the year as a lump sum in addition to severance?
All I can say here is ask questions and get answers in writing. Seems some folks the have been told they get severance of 2 weeks for every year of service and a year of health insurance. Some NOT. Why? I have no idea. I would suggest reaching out to HR Services as soon as possible.
I’m one of those layoffs also and it sure could have been done differently. Not only did it affect me it affected their customers, contracted facilities that will be wondering who is going to take care of their business. Security has been lost and not just for myself but the costumers are feeling the insecurity. I just hope their plan is worth it. The true people it could hurt is the person that has a policy for medical coverage. It does trickle down.
I have to say some of Thryve resources are true gems but 80 percent are useless. They do not understand a single thing in business, speak broken english.
CEOs, VP are invited to flashy parties in Thryve with all the fanfare, that's now they are getting more work.
Rumors of more layoffs this year. Some talking about a huge 25 percent cut onshore. If you see your Thryve team is beefing up means your jobs will be gone soon. Return to office is another way to pi-s people off and sort of soft layoff. For last 12 years, I woke up each workday putting my best foot forward. I hate seeing my deserving colleagues let go every year.
Does anyone know, for a fact, if all the employees let go Friday, April 26th were from HealthNow? If so, does anyone know if severance of 2 weeks per year of service and Cobra for 50 weeks were offered like in the last round of layoffs?
They ALWAYS let people go right after a COREterly meeting. Talk all this stuff at the meeting about team and community and then the ax. Health insurance companies are supposed to be about the communities they serve. Outsourcing helps who in the community?
Well, I was one of the layoff this Friday morning via a teams invite. My VP was in the call however my director wasn’t even aware we were being let go.
I’ve NEVER worked for a shirt a-s company in my fu--ing life so I’m okay with being let go. My TEAM made it worth while. I don’t see the company lasting long honestly and I hope they don’t.
They have so many flaws and I was vocal about improvements. Well…. The health systems are going to be in for a rude awaking when they are made aware of the changes.
Stronger together, right ?
Dave Anderson sold our hardworking, knowledgeable employees to the devil! I am a firm believer in karma…best wishes to all that were affected and better opportunities on the horizon, thoughts and prayers for all!❤️
Many of HM’s most incredible, loyal, talented, caring, dedicated and hardworking employees were let go today. It’s a heartbreaking day for those of us left to mourn the losses of our amazing teams, friends, and mentors that truly cared about our wellbeing as individuals. It’s sickening how degrading the message continues to be delivered to the employees who have dedicated a large part of their life to serving HM.
Layoffs just hit NY again as the posters below noted. 30 positions in provider relations and 15 in Provider Ops. This jlis just the provider side, I'm pretty sure other departments are being hit.
Did anyone see the public post from Thryve Digital Health LLP on Facebook from April 5th? I guess they all just consorted with the Highmark higher ups doing an 'Ellen Degeneres type morning'. Does that mean they just told d-mb jokes and danced before plotting to take onshore jobs later in the month? Pathetic.
So here we go - HIGHMARK Buffalo NY just did their round of lay offs - they call you around 9 AM - your Managers and HR and tell you to compose yourself and breathe but “ due to the coming changes” “your position with Highmark is no longer deemed necessary “ therefore, we are terminating you! That’s it and good bye! Cold as ice 🧊
Here we go. More people getting AXED today. Go Thryve! This is awful.
Layoffs happening right now in provider relations. Thank you, Kate Musler and Thryve employees.
I mean let’s be honest & call a spade a spade. If we all stuck together & formed some type of committee to get this out there Highmark would loose so much business. UPMC got rid of 1,000 jobs. It’s sad but Highmark is OUTSOURCING! Let that sink in. We are losing our jobs to ppl overseas. Do they know or care about the ppl in our community? How does Highmark care about their members. It is getting worse & worse by the year. Thryve employees roll up to the president Tom Doran. Let that sink in also. They don’t care if they are doing poorly & not catching on. It’s a greed thing. They pay them Pennie’s for low quality work. And they are sending our info as well as the members overseas. That needs to be made known to the community. UPMC made their cuts yesterday. It’s Highmark turn again. And please believe don’t think it can’t happen to you. If it’s not now & you’re not front line it could be 2, 3 months from now. Or maybe right before Christmas as they did last year.
Cary's comment....
Just "Wow"
That needs to be known by the public.
The articles on layoff are completely disingenuous...they never tell how many have actually lost their job. Mostly all boils down to Thryve, the jobs going to India.
And Highmark employees have actually traveled over there to train these people.
It's just mind-blowing.
How many people would cancel their coverage if they knew their PHI was going to another country?!
Cheap offshore labor is a big threat to every onshore job. Management became so greedy that they don’t care about US loyal workers anymore for their gains projecting it as a way to reduce premium costs to look good.
"Cary's" comment below is 100% correct and should worry anyone that has Highmark coverage because it is putting their privacy at risk. The rot has grown deep at this company the last few years. When you put too many know-nothing MBAs in charge this is what you get.
FYI - for the Providers and Members - they send your paperwork, claims - credentialing info over to India to process cause they’re cheap labor! So all your MEMBER ID, SSN, residential locations and health info goes overseas! Chew on that ✅