Thread regarding CDK Global Inc. layoffs

@8jkz I appreciate you are unable to give specifics, but how generous of an offer was it? A while back, the term "a years salary" was flying around. That would of taken into account the tax free amount of 30K.

@8jcq Keyloop's starting point or proposal is ALWAYS nothing, even if it conflicts with legislation and collective agreements, so it is important to know the law. Do not sign anything, and ask them for a new meeting where you have someone with you, preferably a solicitor or someone who knows the labour market and the relevant legislation in your country.
I myself was dismissed some time ago, and it took over a month to negotiate terms with Keyloop. Along the way, you will encounter countless ‘this is our final offer’ statements, where they try to pressure and threaten you into signing quickly, even if it is against the law. They are cold and cynical, and they are not familiar with the legislation in each country.
My own case was a hair's breadth away from ending up in court, which Keyloop would have lost 110%, but I don't know what suddenly made them change their minds and finally come up with an extremely generous offer.

@8jkk would be lucky to get a week for every year

While I wouldn't expect anyone to share actual numbers for pay offs the formulas would be good to know:

is it a month for every year as an example (doubtful :-) )

With the cheque book being flashed around of late, anybody willing to disclose what settlement figures have been offered to them?

@8j5v yet spending thousands on accountability training for the last 6 months - wonder if ELT are taking that training?

The company will never reach its full potential until honesty, accountability and stability are restored at every level, especially within KLT and SLT. Right now too many people feel betrayed, like they are being taken for a ride. Even managers are staying quiet out of fear of losing their jobs, which is understandable but damaging.

The best outcome for everyone would be for the company to be sold to new ownership that has the courage to remove the toxic leadership at the top. We need leaders who invest in people for their skills and passion, not ones who simply outsource jobs to cheaper markets like India. Only then can balance be restored, customer confidence rebuilt, and employees given the drive to move mountains again.

The months ahead are going to be rough, but if we hold on and keep faith there will be light at the end of the tunnel. And this time, it won’t be a train.

@8e3p any jobs?

@8j1w Networks and office systems have had a couple of losses. Not sure if any others

@8j1w Yes, that is correct. The year is drawing to a close and we are rapidly approaching the last quarter, which is very important, perhaps Keyloop's most important quarter ever before the announcement of Keyloop's sale is made public. After all, the corpse should be dressed up as nicely as possible before it is laid to rest.
It is not only the UK that will be affected, other countries will be too, and who knows – perhaps someone from KLT will announce that ‘they want more time for their family...’, or however they usually present it.

@8hns
Hearing rumours of more UK redundancies - any idea which area affected?

It has now been six months since I left Keyloop. The more time passes and the more posts I see from former colleagues on LinkedIn, the more striking similarities I see between Keyloop and the Democratic People's Republic of Korea:

• Very few people have power and can make decisions.
• Anyone who challenges this tends to suddenly disappear.
• Everyone is afraid of those in power and therefore has an incredibly brown nose.
• Everyone behaves like lemmings.
• Everyone wears blinders and believes that where they are now is heaven.
• Management firmly believes that they are God's gift to humanity.
• No one believes that “the grass is greener on the other side.”
• Everyone outside the dictatorship is amused by and benefits from the obvious incompetence of the leadership.
• Those who suffer most under a dictatorship are the people, not the leadership.
• Those who escape the dictatorship can all relate to the above.

Have a good weekend, whether you are inside or outside the dictatorship.

Which area?

Lost my job, outsourced to India, I will be contacting a lawyer for advice.

It is extremely interesting that Keyloop has created a number of local positions (remote, of course) within finance and financial management. Some of them are contractually limited to one year, and the job advertisement also states that you must have experience in project management and M&A. I think we all know what that means—an imminent sale. It could also be a sign that financial management and reporting are failing. However, you wouldn't think so when you see how many people are employed under Keyloop's CFO.
By the way, does anyone know how all the roadshows Keyloop is currently running are going? All we hear in the office is that there is a waiting list to participate and that all customers are blown away by our brilliant products and understanding of their businesses and challenges.

There could be hundreds if not thousands of reason to complain about a company, however.

They promote remote? They want to cut costs to then fire you for the sale

They promote return to the office? They want to force you to quit and then fire the rest for the sale

They promote hybrid? They want to confuse (???) you without clear direction so you are so confused to fire yourself for the sale.

I mean. No matter what they do the narrative will always go there. At least let's not create fiction.

Reducing the cost of buildings that nobody goes to because everyone chooses to work from home most of the time - shocker!

"Keyloop's top management" - made me chuckle.

Top of what? Top of the flops?

Today, Keyloop's top management has launched a project aimed at further reducing the costs of buildings, offices, and equipment in order to meet the targets set by FP and achieve their "Rule of 60", so that the sale of Keyloop can be completed next year - in 2026.
In fact, the goal and plan have been in place since day one, but as progress has been insufficient, it is now a priority project.
So what does this mean for us as employees?
All new hires in countries where physical offices are expected to close will be exclusively “remote.” In addition, HR is in the process of moving as many current employees as possible to ‘remote’ contracts and, if not possible, to “flex” contracts. Furthermore, in certain countries, subsidies for physical employee activities, such as Christmas and seasonal parties, will be cut in order to indirectly promote and encourage the separation of employees from physical locations.
In countries with multiple physical offices (regardless of the size of the country), there will only be one physical office going forward. In countries where there are no so-called "hq" or “hubs,” the offices will be significantly reduced in size, if they are not closed as previously mentioned.
Many employees will probably view this negatively, but as a legal professional, I can only encourage you to look at your contract. Perhaps the upcoming change in your contract will be your opportunity to leave Keyloop with a large bag of money under your arm, if you so desire. At least, this is what we have already seen in several countries.
As mentioned, the project is now underway and is expected to be completed in Q1 2026, so that sales negotiations can be concluded in mid-2026, with effect from the beginning of 2027.
As always, senior and middle management will deny this information, which is completely understandable, but just look at how the content of this post fits with what you see and experience, and you will have no doubt.

Darwin award?

Interesting that Keyloop have been shortlisted by Reuters for an innovation award for a product that multiple competitors already have had for many years, and some of these are even OEM endorsed. Wonder how much Keyloop have paid for that nomination.
I really hope that customers, both current Keyloop and others are looking beyond what is present in UK because they could get solutions that are minimum adequate to what Keyloop have but for half the price, because they are not owned by FP who require a margin of minimum 60%.

What a load of tosh, roles are not made redundant in Keyloop individuals are, usually the most expensive go first, has nothing to do with ability, just look at the people that have gone and the ones that are left (for now). Take the money and go and work for a company that knows what it is doing, Keyloop will being running another competition soon for a new company name (as CDK did) my suggestion would be Titanic. Much Love.

@8e20
Hi I have been through this a while ago and i remain friends with my old manager and think its important to clarify your manager does not make you redundant.
Depending on how HR are working at that time they may be told and be given a script and have to stick to it for it legal reasons.
Or sometimes you will know before they do!
Everyone manager i still speak to will generally not agree that the right decision has been made. You don't make the individual redundant but that role or a number of roles.
For you I would be careful - will you lose payoff if you comeback? if you do run and find a better job waving your fingers in the air.
If you don't; go back - knowing full well you are looking for another job. Keep the payoff and earn while doing so.
The business is clearly lowering headcount to help bottom line for a sale. The same short term, pocket lining board goal that created this entire thread. just like the CDK sale.
Knowing support are currently on some mad mission to half backlog is clearly a repeat of this; they did this back then and then pushed most of the staff off a cliff.
I work for a competitor now and we are just sitting back watching with amusement.
You would not believe how many KL customers are knocking on our door right now.

How about that. I was recently made redundant by one manager (who is quite new to the company, and a total bozo of a hot air ballon) and now another manager is asking me to come back and work for him, because I’m “Business critical”. What a circus…. I wonder if HR and Senior managers came right out of kindergarten, because they act on behalf emotions (black/white) instead of understanding who is actually In front of them (360 view).
I’m still considering whether I should take it or use the opportunity to go and work for a more professionally led business.

@8bvs
Keyloop and FP have a clear strategy in relation to what you write.
The first step is to close the national offices, which is well underway around the world.
Next, only people on remote working contracts will be hired going forward, and current employees will be transferred to remote working contracts. (We have seen that in Germany, everyone has moved to remote working contracts, and in other countries, people who literally live a 5-minute walk from the national Keyloop office have recently been hired on remote working contracts).
Now the office can be closed, saving money on buildings and equipment. As a rule, this step is explained by a lack of commitment on the part of employees to come into the office.
What naturally happens, which has been scientifically documented by both UKRI and CIPD, is that when people work 100% from home, intercollegial relationships weaken, leading to declining commitment and thus a lack of mental investment in Keyloop. Employees begin to look for other jobs and resign. Keyloop now saves money by not having to pay severance pay and can, with a clear conscience, move jobs to a cheaper country.
Now FP and Keyloop can explain to potential new owners and investors how skilled they have been in cutting costs, etc.

@8c0k A similar skills exercise happened a couple of years ago. End result was job losses after returning from the summer break. Merit and bonus was also affected. Associates had to take on the additional workload.

Don't follow the rules, break the rules to suit the businesses needs then!

I'm pretty sure we were all told to stay indoors and social distance once upon a time. Furlough was the option put in place by the government to protect jobs and businesses. Decisions taken by management at the time probably ensuring that managers bonuses and commissions were still paid no doubt. Also the FP deal would stay on track.

"don’t forget; at the time there were people at the top who cared about the employees and didn’t want to lower people’s incomes" - Well tell that to the people who lost their jobs suddenly on mass then.

Pffffttttt! Do us a favour

In the interest of balance, and as a friend of Chris who’s even wanted Arsenal to win on the odd occasion due to him, I would say that a) this was prior to FP/Keyloop, b) Chris suffered a heart attack which I don’t believe was linked to covid in any way c) Chris was working remotely on telephony configuration and rarely went out to customer sites d) as a manager I was involved in working out what furlough options there were but it was ultimately decided that it would be too admin heavy to work. Also, don’t forget; at the time there were people at the top who cared about the employees and didn’t want to lower people’s incomes if it could be avoided. I’m not sure that trying to link what happened to Chris to what the company did at the time is appropriate.

@8cdz I decided to change career years ago. People do like to stay in contact thankfully and share stories about the days gone by and the friendships which were made over the years. It was truly one of the most enjoyable companies I have had the pleasure of working for (Kerridge/ ADP).
I know only a few people who remain in the business now and not one of them have any positive stories to tell of the last few years. Sad times for those who remain.

@Post ID: @8cdx+154y9TPM
You are a current associate of Keyloop working in field engineering? How else would you know this information.

Chris passed 5 years ago this month. RIP
Management back then decided not to furlough field based employees during the Covid lockdowns in 2020. (Everyone now knows why this was, hence the creation and title of this page. (Layoffs).
They were not given key worker status, neither were they "key workers", but they were sent out to customer sites anyway. (Illegally? you decide).
It was decided that revenue had to continue rolling in and there were some big projects going on at the time. It were decided these projects needed to be implemented and signed off. The lack of resource available to fulfil these projects, lack of skills and pressure from a non correctly functioning system which was being sold possibly contributed.
Those who are still working at the company (very few are left I suspect) in those departments know the story.

What?

@8c18 4 years ago! Was that before or after Chris passed away under those unfortunate circumstances?

I finished 4 years ago, at the end of this month after 18 years of service. Such a shame to see a great company apparently ripped apart. I hope those who remain are ok, it must be very difficult now. Thinking of you all and I hope you all get good outcomes in the end either there or elsewhere. Best wishes.

Everyone has been skill matrixed in the guise of helping our colleagues in support with backlogs - prepare to be filtered people.
Helping them out will be something to add to the evidence i am expected to spend hours recording, ready for my reviews, at the insistence of my manager. Just so they can justify what ever grade they give me.
Why spend time actually doing the job!

UK employees are literally getting removed by any means necessary. If you have long tenure at the company, your cards are marked. Where do you think some of your colleagues have mysteriously disappeared?
Don't believe the BS which is being passed around. Management, HR, they are all in it together. Trust no one

I think it is clear to anyone looking at Keyloop's job vacancies which countries are prioritised and which are not when it comes to employees. So, to use the maritime terminology below, if you are in one of the following ports of departure, jump ship while you can:
Austria, Belgium, Denmark, Germany, Norway, Sweden, Switzerland, the African and South American continents.

Judging by LinkedIn, the sale of Keyloop must be imminent. Why else would you increase the number of managers who are obviously there to ensure the right KPIs and figures, and to make sure everyone claps their hands with joy at being on a sinking ship the size of the Titanic, while at the same time firing the people on the floor who know the products and markets?
It will be interesting to see whether FP is as skilled in their sales pitch as CDK was back then, selling a utopia. I remember reading something earlier about how the talented CRO wants everyone to do this already, to sell something that does not exist – a utopia.
I wonder if the big pre-sale purge is coming this autumn? As we also saw shortly before the sale from CDK?
Hopefully, the new people who are hired have secured some good severance packages, because Keyloop doesn't give a damn when they fire people, or rather, they do – they give people a proper kick in the a-s like the cynical psychopaths that the management are – backed up by their incompetent HR department.
The best advice here must be to jump into the lifeboats while there is still time and hurry away – don't look back. Out on the horizon, a better world awaits, and many companies are eager to pick up the people who had the courage and wisdom to leave the ship while there was still time.

It really boils my pi$$ to see the LinkedIn brown nose id--ts trying to big up fusion, vega, service hub and many other products that are half finished, unfit for purpose and not ground breaking at all. I’m a project manager responsible for launch and to be honest I tell my customers not to get burnt as sales are selling vapourware. Every customer that is installed never pay hence the AR is huge. Desperate KLT just don’t listen or care. Sad sad times.

TLDR - Never bothered applying for the job in the end. HR never, ever replied, Glassdoor reviews and the breakdown of the consensus of this website, thankfully made up my mind.
It might make up yours too, if like me you haven't the time to scroll through pages and pages, here's a breakdown:

General Theme
The thread is a long-running, anonymous discussion about layoffs, restructuring, and internal culture at CDK Global now Keyloop.

It’s highly critical, with contributors expressing frustration, suspicion, and disillusionment about leadership decisions and company direction.

Layoffs & Redundancies
Multiple users confirm ongoing layoffs, often described as strategic cost-cutting disguised as redundancy.

There are claims that roles in the UK are being eliminated and shifted to lower-cost regions like India, which some argue may violate UK employment law if the work continues elsewhere.

Posters mention tactics like spacing out redundancies to avoid triggering collective consultation requirements.

Legal & Ethical Concerns
Several posts suggest that the company’s redundancy practices may not meet legal standards under Section 139 of the Employment Rights Act.

Advice is shared about seeking legal counsel, contacting ACAS, and checking home insurance for legal cover to pursue unfair dismissal claims.

Settlement agreements are described as common but potentially morally questionable.

Culture & Leadership Critique
Leadership is portrayed as disconnected, self-serving, and overly focused on short-term revenue boosts ahead of a potential sale.

There’s criticism of HR practices, alleged “blacklists,” and a lack of transparency around who is being let go.

Some posts mention a toxic culture, poor communication, and a lack of accountability.

Financials & Strategy
Users discuss financial losses, rising executive compensation, and expensive acquisitions (e.g., ATG for €230M on €30M revenue).

There’s skepticism about the AWS migration and new platform initiatives, with claims that they’re poorly executed and harming customer relationships.

Customer Impact
Dealers and long-time customers report deteriorating service, missing legal integrations, and disappearing account managers.

Some suggest competitors like Pinewood may benefit from Keyloop’s missteps.