Thread regarding Highmark Health layoffs

Mission:
To create an unparalleled health experience by ensuring our workforce is perpetually on edge, freeing our executives to be their wealthiest.

Vision:
A world where everyone embraces the uncertainty of their employment status.

Goal:
To revolutionize health care from the ground up—starting by periodically uprooting our own employees' lives. Achieved through "Living Health," our groundbreaking model that thrives on unpredictability and creative cost-cutting.

Core Behaviors:

Customer Last, Profit First:
We place our bottom line at the center of everything we do. Customers and employees orbit around our financial objectives, providing a gravitational pull towards increased executive bonuses.

Transformational Leadership:
We are at the forefront of transforming the future of health care, one unexpected layoff at a time. Our leadership is visionary in finding new ways to increase stakeholder value, even if it means diminishing employee morale and stability.

Trust Working Apart:
We believe in the power of surprise to keep our team dynamic. Nothing unites a workforce like the shared anxiety of not knowing who's next on the chopping block. Together, we achieve a unique form of success—survival of the fittest, corporate edition.

Purposeful Execution:
We value outcomes—specifically, those that enhance executive retreats and pad golden parachutes. Activity is merely a means to an end, a necessary facade to maintain appearances while we strategize the next cost-saving round of layoffs.

To the person saying didn’t we see it coming?

For anyone in NY, no we did not. HealthNow actually gave somewhat of a fu-k about their employees. We received bonuses, we did not typically see layoffs. I could have seen myself staying with HealthNow for the rest of my career. Highmark RUINED what was a good thing. Their policies are garbage, their tech never works, and their resources are useless. Once the 3 year NYS DFS protection was up (3/1/2024, if you weren’t aware), they wasted NO time getting rid of us. We were reassured time and time again by directors that this expiration would not negatively impact us. Well, it fu--ing did. It’s only a matter of time that they purge the rest of the NY people. They will use them until they no longer need them. They are truly just a number.

All the people commenting they got laid off with all these years of service and blindsided, have you not paid attention all these years?
I've only worked here 9, but I know every March - end of first quarter - is when layoffs happen. Not every single year, but a lot. The last couple years other months outside of March too.
Look around, it’s not just Hmk that lays people off! It’s worse when you work in office, but most companies handle it the same way. Then they’ll hire new people again at lower salaries, it’s business.
Does it su-k? He-l yes!
Do I agree with the way they’re handling things? He-l no!
They’ll run themselves into the ground. Offshore may be cheaper, but it’s costing them contracts.
So many mistakes, aging claims, don’t know what they’re doing it’s a hot mess.
Was never lucky enough to get a bonus here, they stopped before I came… but the top brass should not receive s bonus either … all for one or none.

Most people complaining now are the same ones appreciating Dave Holmberg and Mic antics. It's all business. Move on

All across the board was affected. Supervisors were let go too. What makes me sick is that customer/member services are so overworked that it is disgusting. Yet they opted to let people go in those department. I give it a month tops and more will be gone. 25 years will a company to only worry if every days you will get that call and your job will be sent overseas

It was a complete ambush and more people are supposed to be gone soon. Morale is lower than low.

Totally unprofessional how it was handled. Yes I was impacted and I was getting close to retiring with medical benefits. One of the few left that would get that benefit. Too bad they didn't lay off the same positions with our offshore unit. Just us to save money. It's cheaper if not in America.

Yesterday morning I received a teams meeting request for less than 2 hours later, with a manager and another individual who I did not work directly with but had the same title as me. When the HR employee came on screen, I knew this was a layoff call and that it was being done in a group setting. “Good morning, this is to inform you that your position is being eliminated.” After almost 20 years? Thanks.

Next time learn to bill more CapEx hours. Or be fired.

I was one of the individuals let go in October. The severance is a cap of 25 years, cobra is included. Cobra is mandatory.
This all came in the heels of Holmbergs raise pushing him to 9 Mil. Could see right through him from the get go. He constantly talks down to people, no true leader does that, but the sheep that follow him do not stand up. It's trickling down to other Management as well.
Blessing in disguise to be let go. Found a company that is truly employee focused, it's a shame I didn't look earlier. Much happier and making less, but life is much better without HMK.

That is a great point. Was Cobra offered in the severance package?

If someone is eligible for retirement when they were layed off, they can still use their retirement benefits. I was layed off last year and I went ahead and retired early rather than job hunt at age 62. I am drawing my monthly pension and after my Cobra runs out in July I'll be using my notional acct to pay my insurance premiums. Plus I got 40 weeks of pay and 40 weeks of Cobra insurance in my severance package. TBH they will be better off, cause they get their full retirement package plus their severance pkg. It's a win win IMHO. Good Luck to those job hunting!!

Hello to the most recent post:

for those Asking we did get a severance which was 2 weeks for every year worked they did say something about being capped at a year but that was actually not correct

What was not correct? Did you not get 2 weeks for every year capped at 52 weeks or did you get more or did you get less? Ex. You worked there 30 years and got 60 weeks? Or you worked 30 years and got 40 weeks?

Can you apply for unemployment? What would an attorney do you for?

But they trained reps in phillipines who were not laid off. Guess where this is going.

41 people let go in Central PA. Not sure of the departments.

I was let go yesterday and for those Asking we did get a severance which was 2 weeks for every year worked they did say something about being capped at a year but that was actually not correct I received my severance package email last night and it did tell me I was getting 2 weeks for every year worked it is going to be a lump sum but who knows how much they're gonna tax that so I probably get half of what's actually on that piece of paper. People were laid off all over Pennsylvania there was 200 plus people laid off across all lines of business and departments it's really unfair for the people who this happened to including myself. I was laid off on a group team's call with other people which was really unprofessional in itself one woman on my call was ready to retire this year they laid her off instead of letting her retire with her retirement benefits after being there like 30 years which is The lowest things I've ever seen in my entire life. A lot of the people who got laid off are over the age of 50 which unfortunately gives them a much more difficult time to find a job. And it's not going to be the last time you know darnwell they're gonna hire a bunch of people offshore more than they already have and continue to lay us off because that's the cheap way to go and David Holmberg got his almost 10 million dollars last year but sc--w the rest of us. S9 now you know what kind of company highmark really is and how they feel about their employees

Highmark just let go of over 200 people. It's a blow to everyone, from departments across the board to folks who were just months away from retirement. Meanwhile, the CEO pocketed $9 million last year. Tells you all you need to know about where Highmark's heart lies, right?

It's crystal clear now - Highmark's lost its way, putting dollars before decency. For those of you still clocking in, it's time to rethink your hustle. Don't break your back for a company that wouldn't think twice about cutting you loose. "Quiet quitting" isn't just okay; it's probably your best move. Keep your head down, do the bare minimum of your job, and maybe don't pour your soul into it. After all, they've shown us loyalty is a one-way street.

It's laughable that Highmark talks big about transforming healthcare when their top brass can't even show basic humanity to their own team. Word on the street is, many folks got axed for speaking out. If you stick your neck out, be ready for it to get chopped.

To everyone shown the door, think twice before you sign off on that severance. It's not really for you; it's for them - to cover their backs. If you're tight on cash, sure, you might need to take it. But if you can, talk to a lawyer first. It's essential.

For those still in the game, plan your exit. And for those of us hitting the bricks, let's make sure we're not leaving anything on the table. It's about getting what's ours and showing Highmark that we're not just numbers on a spreadsheet. We're the ones doing the real work, and it's high time they remembered that.

That name on our stadium should be changed to ENRON ! Thanks Dave Anderson and Steve Swift for selling NY out. I hope you enjoy your Golden Parachutes for destroying so many lives ! I wonder how much money was given to Kathy Holkel’s coffers for approving this ? Maybe it’s time for national healthcare !

I'm sorry to those that lost their positions. Did everyone that was let go get a severance package or just some? Is it a lump sum or will they give you a check every other week? Can you collect unemployment?

There are so many rumors flying around which I would expect with a company as large as this.

I wasn't affected but I'm pi---d (and think it's only a matter of time before I am because I've already been through one layoff with the company)

Does anyone know what all departments were affected? I know customer service, and some people that were working on the new customer service software on the business side

I was not let go but I feel like it will happening soon. The company is sending our jobs overseas while parading how much money they made. It's a freaking joke. I am really sorry to those that got laid off.

Were any PA people laid off? Or just NY? Can they pick and choose whoever they want to lay off??
I was not affected but I am pi---d off.

I just got the bit from Highmark. I was saddened by to see what they did in NY. Those of us who were working for them had no idea.

I am thankful I didn’t work decades for people who didn’t
appreciate me.

I was one that was let go. Almost 35 years at Highmark. HealthNow management USED Highmark PA SKILLED employees to get HNY up to par as they were FAILING MISERABLY on their own. Obviously why they lost their contract originally. Once skilled management taught NY management what they needed to know they kicked us to the curb!! How many of these folks that were layed off NY employees versus PA employees working for NY? I'd love to know that number!

I was not impacted but the people that I knew that were work directly with my sales team everyday and was absolutely disgusted at the talent they let go.

I've heard from two sources that got laid off. Its 2 weeks for every year served. Severance is capped at 1 year, so if you served 30 years you would only get 1 year instead of 60 weeks.

In answer to the question about severance and pay it probably depended on what position you were. Crazy day indeed!

Over 20 years of blood sweat and tears and they pi---d on me today... terrible they way do people these stories are so sad

Can anyone comment if severance was offered? Or just a flat two weeks of pay?

They can hire 3 offshore for one of us.
Never thought it would get this bad after 20 years. Lost some wonderful people today who worked their as--s off. All for nothing.
A total shame.

The real issue is if you let go the lower staff what good will the management staff really do. They certainly don’t know how to work in the trenches. Highmark is out of Pennsylvania and ever since they took over for BCBS of WNY, service has been below stand. They find every reason not to pay claims. I hope the CEO gets a cut in pay.

I was one of those layoff too. Totally blind sided! Went to work like normal mandatory meeting and bo-m 25 of gone. On a team's meeting call. This is so wrong on every level they are out sourcing our position to India and the Philippines!

They just laid off a bunch of folks from Buffalo, New York today, literally less than a week after the NY State DFS protection of jobs stipulation to not layoff NY employees ended. Just unethical 😔

I am so sorry to all those let go. I lost my manager, and they were one of the most kind people I’ve ever met. Don’t understand how they can ruin people’s lives like this when the top executives are still making millions.

I was impacted by this. I was told via a voicemail. They let go one of my coworkers who was on MATERNITY leave, No compassion and very dehumanizing. They can all rot in he-l for all I care.

I’m sorry for all those that were cut today. The real interesting fact about this all is none of the direct managers or supervisors of the employees who were cut today were even made aware until after the fact, in most cases the cut employee told their manager. There was no rhyme or reason for whom was cut and when asked upper management stated they wouldn’t divulge their criteria. An added additional insult to injury those expecting to retire within a year were in those let go. Morale is at an all time low at Highmark.

They lay them off then in a few months hire more!! So sad ! I’m sorry for whoever lost their jobs!

All departments. Member service provider, enrollment and billing, client, BAs etc. Hope they enjoy those "record breaking profits"

Didn't you love the record revenue emails every year that they send out. Knowing how much they make compared to the ones who actually work with their customers/providers but they can only afford to give you 20 to 40 cent raise. Never bonuses. Jelly of the month club would have even been appericated!! Love how employee appreciation week went from something kinda cool to nothing but an email. This year they stopped mailing anniversary certificates to senior employees and will now also just be sent by email. Wish others would/could see the real Highmark. Every employee who is still working this afternoon, knows their day is coming too, we are all heartbroken and worried. Retiring from a company is not possible anymore.

I was impacted as well. Total surprise. I was with the company more than 15 years and had hopes to retire from Highmark.