What is first contact WFR like? Did it start with a call? An unexpected meeting? Is it always on Monday? Was it a contact by HR?
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Monday morning, I noticed my manager was in the office usually early (sitting in a conference room by himself). I went to my desk and he sent me a message to join him in the conference room. I knew at that point I was being WFR'd. I walked in, he explained I was being WFR'd, last day would be in 2 weeks, and the terms of the severance package. He said I could go home and take the rest of the day off. I thanked him, but declined... so he left and went home for the day. I used that day (and the entire 2 weeks) to spend time with my coworkers while making him feel uncomfortable. Best payback ever...
Outside of that, you'll be invited to an HR webcast where they explain the severance plan and conditions in more detail. You'll get your regular bi-weekly pay in addition to any additional compensation (if any) over the following 2 months. To get your final lump sum payment you will have to sign an legal document that basically says you will not sue them for firing you and that all previous legal claims (age discrimination) you may have had against each other are settled.
Have any of you guys thought of contacting a lawyer? I was thinking about it after my WFR, I waited and it turns out you have to file a charge with the EEOC if you're disabled, or you lose your right to sue. Who knows maybe someone reading this may find it helpful. That scripted speech has none of your rights on it, or if it did, i didnt hear it over my heart crashing into the floor. Screw HP
After almost 20 years w the co, my boss scheduled a 1x1 w me on a Monday afternoon. Took her 15 min to go through all their scripts. I nearly hung up on her and didn't do a stitch of work. Took me the full two weeks to figure out ins for my entire family. So glad to be gone! My stress level is so low now. Even though I have no job!
Unexpected Monday meeting with a scripted speech that starts: "A number of positions within our department have been affected by workforce reduction, and it is with regret that I must inform you that your position has been eliminated."
Re what to do when WFR,
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Besides what your manager told you, follow below.
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http://www.hpalumni.org/asap
Class of March 2016 here. I had a scheduled 1x1 on a Thursday which was moved to the following Monday morning (the invite was changed 2 weeks prior, which means mgr knew for 2 weeks). The week before I was laid off, 2 other people were WFRd and mgr told the team there were no more for now. Monday morning 1x1 time came and after I sat down in the room with mgr, she started with "this is a difficult conversation..." Instantly I knew what was happening! And it dawned on me what a lying POS the whole mgmt team had become. So when she asked if I had questions I simply said no and left the room. Picked up my stuff and left. Transitioned every thing in 2 days and enjoyed the remainder of my time off work. Returned on last day at 4:00 to drop off my PC and badge. Never even spoke to manager or coworkers after the transition work was done.
Get busy on finding a new job. The company won't exist in a few years!
Class of Jan 2015 here... There's not a single day that pass without me wondering why there are still people at HPE that are not actively looking for other jobs while still employed. It's simply incredible...
I had a "soft" notice from my manager about 2-3 weeks before the official Monday morning call. It was an admirable thing for my manager to do, since it gave me (and some of my fellow affected team mates) time to process our grief and anger and start making plans.
Once the official Monday "two week" notices comes, it is the process outlined in HPalumni.org. I went into the office for 1 hour in my last week to collect my things.
Fortunately, I had a good linked in network that allowed me to have a contractual job offer in hand, one week before my last day. I was only unemployed for a week, and that was due to the new firm's drug and background checks.
As for my former manager, his boss gave him no "soft" notice, and he was given WFR notice a week after my official WFR notice. Pretty screwed up as his boss made him choose and lay off about 14 of his team one week, only for he himself to be laid off (to everyone's surprise, as he was a good and effective guy - who even gave us "one on one" hints months ago) the next week. They made him do the dirty work - only shows how the upper tiers are a bunch of greedy cowards.
Unscheduled Monday morning phone call from my manager's manager. He basically read a scripted explanation, followed by email with paper work. Spent the following two weeks at home working on resume and applying for jobs and went in the last day to turn in coming any items and collect my belongings.
Unexpected meeting with my manager at 9AM on a Monday (he usually gets in the office @9:30). Sent home for the day. Spent remainder of first week transferring knowledge primarily via email from home. Second week "worked" from home getting my resume updated. Spent 1 hour in the building on the last day of me second week handing in laptop, badge, CC card. Didn't look for work inside.
Unexpected meeting with my manager. Unexpected because my manager never met with me a single time otherwise in more than a year of employment! Mine was done mid-week in the afternoon. Meeting was scheduled with me an hour prior.
Unexpected meeting from my manager
Current employees , former employees and everyone refer to www.hpalumni.org This site has important information.
Your manager or your manager's manager will schedule meeting with you on Monday morning. They have to inform you before noon. If you are not in office on Monday they will call you over phone and can inform. This is based on my personal experience.