A hiring freeze only means you require executive approval to seek candidates and hire someone. Obviously you better have an excellent reason for submitting that type of request to Meg or her direct staff.
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I guess that makes some sense. The position I was WFR'd from was a position that was contractually required a US citizen perform. The solution is, the already overworked understaffed team that was already billing 60 hour weeks just has to bill yet more hours. The beatings will continue until morale improves I suppose!
Why would they backfill WFRs
Two reasons come to mind:
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Moving it to a lower cost region (Bulgaria or Costa Rica or even Plano, TX - in some cases)
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Moving it to a hub for CSC or MicroFocus - in preparation for the SpinMerge
WFR'd is great. Don't have to pay Federal, State Social Security Taxes. This alone amounts to 20% of pay. Communting expense is gone, Vechicle expense is gone, Grocery/Lunch expense is gone. Wardrobe and other incidental expense is gone. If you think about it really closely What do you really need to survive on in terms of immediate income and then go for that position. God bless HPE for making me aware of this. I sure do love it not making that freeking commute anymore. Theny only thing negative is the cut the US Government gets out of your Severance. GLTA. Billy Ray says hello.
Why would they backfill WFRs? If they intend to fill the positions, why would they eliminate the people already doing the work?
Taking a pay cut AND driving an hour each way for a daily commute? Wait for a better offer. I took the commute, but make $15k more... and it isn't easy. Were it not for the fact that I have a much better employer, likely to get regular raises and bonuses (yearly) and slowly move toward working from home again, I'd probably not be as happy as I am these days.
Commutes are not easy, both in the toll they take on you during the commute, but also on how much they cut into your time.
You don't mention the industry, but I'd also avoid working for a contract house or another "Big IT" type company. Doing work in job lots is a dying business and becoming far more cutthroat than it was 20 years ago - plus you are competing with H1B holders and bottom-barrel types that get slotted in just to satisfy manpower requirements on contracts. Consider working directly for a company who has in-house IT needs - financial, medical, automotive... where their workforce isn't always in flux.
If it improves your overall situation I urge HPers to consider the commute option. Even working for the same pay or a small drop ($15k is a bit too much of a drop) somewhere besides HPE (or other Big IT company) can still a better option, since with a decent employer, you will see your compensation go up faster.
"...I'd have to commute an hour each way."
Add that to your projected expenses. 2 hours each day (think travel expense car/bus/subway) and how the loss of time will affect your life. More childcare time, etc...
"The work is easier and more interesting, though."
The more interesting part is worth considering. How much more interesting and what does that work appear to look life down the road. Can you leverage it for something even more interesting?
"I'm afraid of sticking someone on my team with the insane amount of work I have because my manager sure as hell won't take it on."
Not a consideration in my books. And it won't make you an a-hole for taking something better.
"The pay cut ($15K) worries me though."
Simple math here. Your current total expenses are more or less than the salary you expect in the new gig. Expenses are more... then can you cut out stuff that you always wanted to anyway. Are their other benefits that outweigh the $15k cut, more vacation time, flex time, the option to work from home, etc
One question you may also ask yourself is, do you believe with reasonable certainty that you on the chopping block to get cut? Do you believe that you may have time to keep looking for a better offer. That may answer the question for you.
It is my understanding in HPE (the Remainco) that there are no backfills allowed for people who are WFRd. However, resignations cane be backfillef. There is increased scrutiny on these requisitions but iit can be done
I'm the OP. I should have clarified.. I meant in the US.
I got a job offer but I don't know if I should take it or not. It pays less than what I make now and I'd have to commute an hour each way. The work is easier and more interesting, though.
I'm afraid of sticking someone on my team with the insane amount of work I have because my manager sure as hell won't take it on. The pay cut ($15K) worries me though.
Anyone heard about where the next set of WFR's are going to be and how many? With the spin/merge I am curious to see how many Microfocus will want.
I believe they are still doing spot hiring, but only in low cost regions like Costa Rica. Most WFRs will not be replaced, although I've also heard of people getting pulled off the WFR list when someone else on the team quits on their own.
It depends if it's a dept that makes money