#anxiety

So what happens if way too many people applied for VSP? It’s making me nervous since we received follow emails asking if we want to withdraw our application. Does that mean an overwhelming amount of people applied? If so, does that mean many people will be denied?

Are people taking time off this summer? Or will they take that against us for the next go-round?

Got an email for the EBOS town hall meeting on July 22. I suppose this is the day when my teammates and I will find out just how little we're needed, yeah?

(Yes, I'm being negative, and with good reason I believe. Don't like it? Cram it.)

Well just checked multiple Sr Director and VP calendars and looks like some groups met already to proceed forward with next weeks rif.... its rare to see all of them meet same day/time and of course you can check the same day for prior weeks to see its not a normally reoccurring meeting. So I guess the lists are made and finalized, and Sr. Directors now know who is on the cut list. Obviously they can't share it early but I wish they could, just so we dont have to think about it for another week. My manager is concerned and I can't blame them... things just feel super weird lately.

Oracle has eliminated 21,000 jobs in fiscal year 2026, attributing the reductions to AI investments. This move has significantly impacted employee morale and trust across the tech industry. The company's annual filing explicitly stated that AI adoption may continue to lead to workforce reductions. These layoffs are part of a larger trend where companies are citing AI as a justification for significant job cuts. The financial cost of these layoffs, including severance packages, has also been substantial.

https://www.thehrdigest.com/oracle-layoffs-2026-why-tying-job-cuts-to-ai-is-fueling-fear-of-endless-reductions/

Dear xxxxx xxxx,
We are reaching out to you regarding your security questions in myPay. Currently, we show that you have not selected your security questions and answers. It is important for you to set up your security questions in myPay. This allows you to access your pay statements and W-2s during leaves of absence or after leaving the company.
Please take a few minutes to set up your security questions in myPay today. Instructions on how to do so can be found here.

I find it strange they sent me this email today. After leaving the company? I did not do the VSP so why now do they want this updated? Anyone else get this email today?

From conversations I've had, it sounds like the company is still working to align spending with current business realities. One of the innovation leaders I respect shared that August and September are expected to be particularly challenging as organizations work toward their headcount targets. Many innovation teams are reportedly running more than 3% above their planned staffing levels, which means difficult decisions are likely ahead.

If that's the case, it's going to be an anxious summer for a lot of people. My advice is to focus on what you can control: deliver meaningful work, support your teammates, keep learning, and take care of yourself.

Enjoy the summer where you can. The months ahead may test a lot of us.

Home loan
Student loan
Car loan(s)
Boat loan
401k Loan
:(

I know that asking when the next round will happen is probably pointless because nobody really knows, nut I can never stop myself. It used to be that layoffs were rare events, but now they feel like a regular occurrence. That's not acceptable and I refuse to pretend it is.

Am I the only one getting nervous over the fact that we're still without layoffs? It's starting to feel like the calm before the storm - and the kind of storm that will be remembered for a long while. I hope I'm just being paranoid.

I got out and my life changed overnight. You have no idea how much of your anxiety is caused by this place until you leave.

If you accepted the offer, why are you still nervous? This is an honest question. If I got it, I'd have accepted it and been relieved. I don't understand all the anxiety over a longer wait. Either you get approved, which is what you wanted, or you don't, and you stay in the same situation you're in now. What's the issue? What am I missing?

I can't shake this feeling of dread even though logically I know nothing major is happening this week. I guess Fiserv finally broke me.

I'm more stressed than I've ever been. I don't know if we'll ever get to a point where we can just focus on our work again and not have to think about layoffs every two weeks.

The anxiety is keeping me awake. There are too many questions and not enough answers. I just want this whole thing to be over.

I get that people are anxious about what's coming, but it's probably not going to be as bad as you think. There are so many other companies doing interesting work with better compensation and a much healthier environment. Leaving Centene might turn out to be the best thing that happens to you.

I'm not saying there won't be, but I can't find any official info to indicate anything other than we're done. Do people know something I don't or is it just anxiety talking?

Unemployment fears are now concentrated among educated, higher-income Americans. This marks a significant shift from historical patterns. The New York Fed's Survey of Consumer Expectations tracks this trend. Their anxiety currently outpaces actual white-collar layoff rates. Automation and post-pandemic hiring corrections contribute to this growing concern.

https://qz.com/higher-income-americans-unemployment-fear-fed-survey-062926

That's 100% the only reason why I'm still here.

Sad thing is, even knowing this round is over I can't truly relax or be happy I survived, since we all know there'll be more before the end of the year. Working with the constant threat of layoffs is not good for our health, mental or physical. Layoffs always happened, but they were occasional, not like now.

These senior leaders do not realize or care that they are messing with people mental health. My anxiety is past my threshold. I can not focus and to top it off can’t enjoy my PTO from all this stress!

Is anyone else feeling super anxious after accepting the VSP? I know it's ultimately the best choice for my wellbeing, but the decision still feels incredibly stressful as the 7/2 deadline approaches. I'd love to hear from others navigating this!

Are they actually going to make us wait until August 10th to know if we are still here? That is so far away.

Since this platform is anonymous, are any people leaders willing to share what they know? Just give us what you can without exposing yourself.
How many need to accept VSP to prevent layoffs? Will layoffs hit all business lines?
Seeing post after post about closed-mouthed leaders only adds to the anxiety and frustration.
My direct leader offered some words of encouragement but not much else. Her leader, who usually has lots to say about everything has said nothing worth hearing, just the usual emotionally void attitude and gas lighting us to accept all this as normal.
Leadership is playing numbers games, but these are people's livelihoods. We deserve transparency.

I’m so stressed I’m having nightmares and daymares about me dying at my desk or turning into that Brendan Fraser movie The Whale. I think I might have to look elsewhere sooner that I thought. I was gonna holdout longer but I don’t think it’s a good idea

Sigh, I don’t want to do this anymore. I’m just so tired of worrying about a layoff. I just don’t care anymore

Even after working on solutions that these mega logos depend on we are no where close in reaching ¼ of their revenue.

I even feel that the ip business will die a slow painful death

Sorry for being pessimistic, this whole AI BS is taking a toll on me

Like wtf are we even doing wrong, are we doomed ?

Are we on the right track even ?

As this is all going on, and with the stress, anxiety and uncertainty of will we have a job come a month or 2, my people leader is production! production! production! How are we to stay focused with these chats and emails going out about metrics and audits when inside all of us are stressed and nervous? Beyond frustrating!

Replacing Visa and MC with a local alternative could hurt us majorly. And we all know it's not those on top who'll pay the price, but the rest of us. I've been so nervous about this since the news first came out.

Whenever we get a few weeks of peace, I still can't breathe properly. The anxiety is constant these days since I know what's coming eventually. This is not a healthy way to live.

I haven't heard any rumors in a while, which should be good but it's just making me nervous. Are we safe currently or is this just the calm before all he-l breaks loose?

Americans express high anxiety about job security. This concern persists despite a remarkably low unemployment rate. New Glassdoor research identifies artificial intelligence as the primary worry. Some companies, including Meta, Amazon, and Salesforce, have cited AI in recent layoffs. However, AI's overall impact on broad employment figures remains limited so far.

https://www.marketwatch.com/story/americans-are-as-worried-as-ever-about-layoffs-and-losing-their-jobs-why-so-much-angst-6503fb63

I think the downfall really started back in 2016, everyone I speak (ys staff) is negative and tells me to sell my stocks now. After 2016 the company became bloated and started its India Journey and reducing quality and costs (it worked!!). At the same time it became a D&I playground for LHBTQI folks and as white male you were almost shamed for who you are and LT got targets getting more minorities and females promoted.

Good luck all, the good ones (you?) will find a better place their is al lot going on, just not in oil and gas anymore.

Sharing my research results:

Upstream & Exploration: Implementing a 20% headcount reduction across exploration, subsurface, and well-engineering teams over Q2 and Q3 2026.
Regions: Heavily hitting main administrative and technical hubs in Houston (USA), The Hague (Netherlands), and London/Aberdeen (UK).

Downstream & Chemicals: Downsizing operational footprints throughout 2026 to contain cash bleeding following multi-billion dollar losses in base chemical segments.
Regions: Layoffs and scale-backs target older processing infrastructure in Rotterdam (Netherlands), Stanlow (UK), and Monaca (USA), following a complete exit from Singapore assets.

Global Business Operations: Consolidating corporate back-offices and shifting away from generalized administrative roles.
Regions: Shared-service hubs in Continental Europe are affected, including roughly 300 job cuts executed at the Kraków (Poland) center in June 2026.

Low Carbon Solutions: Personnel cuts are occurring dynamically throughout 2026 as renewable projects are deferred or canceled.
Regions: Impacting project engineering and corporate green teams primarily across Northwest Europe (e.g., matching the construction pause at the Rotterdam biofuels facility).

It is natural to feel anxious when restructuring threatens your security, but corporate changes cannot diminish your personal value or expertise. While you cannot control executive decisions, you can reclaim power by auditing your wins, refreshing your resume, and reaching out to your network. Lean on the solid foundation of skills you own; companies change, but your capability remains.

I'm not sure I'll be able to do anything today. I tried sleeping but I'm so nervous and over-stressed that I couldn't. I'm honestly not sure how I'll make it through the day, especially if cuts really do continue. My team was not affected yesterday, so if there's more, chances are we will be.

The amount of stress this company has caused in the past year to me and my colleagues is unbelievable.

They expect us to work as if everything is ok, while hearing every couple of weeks that someone is laid off.

Today has been an especially difficult day, and I can’t focus on anything. Supposed to leave on holiday on Monday, not knowing whether I’ll have a job to return to.

Not worth it.

I interned at Centene last summer into the fall which was my last semester of university. Feels like the entire world is unstable. I don't qualify for the VSP, but feeling so so anxious and depressed about the layoffs coming in August. I just started my career. However, I've been working to the bone for this company so far (I work in IT). I know most of you guys on this website are older and have much greater responsibilities (kids, mortgage, etc), but I can't help but feel like things are doomed.

This uncertainty is ki-ling me. Folks on this thread have talked about 13% of the workforce being RIF'd, multiple teams expected to be impacted and most of it being initiated today. Yet, not many have said a word about receiving that uncomfortable meeting invite. Just 1-2 people have confirmed getting it.

At what stage in this week can we breathe a sigh or relief? When will we know if we survived this round or not? Or were people simply trolling or exaggerating the numbers?

The uncertainty and anxious waiting period is worse than just knowing you're impacted!!

I'm exhausted from the constant worry. When can we finally relax? Will we ever again have some semblance of job security?

That's usually a good sign, but I can't help still being a bit anxious. Is there anything to worry about?