Thread regarding Optum layoffs

One week per year severance is ridiculously low. Typically for a Fortune 500 company severance is 1.5 to 2 weeks a year. I’ve even seen 3 or 4 weeks a year in some cases. Optum is clearly a bottom dweller.

Losing my job at Optum was the best thing that ever happened to me. The writing was on the wall for approximately 9 months, I could see we were severely overstaffed especially at the manager/director level. When I received a positive review and no bonus I knew it was coming, less than 2 months later I was gone (luckily with a severance and increased unemployment due to covid-19). I would hold out for the severance and unemployment especially in this sketchy job market (then to top it off with how the election looks to have turned out job market could be getting much worse).

Severance varies and is not guaranteed. A good severance package at UHG/Optum is 1 weeks pay for every 2 years of employment. So, if you've been here 10 years and they let you go, you should get 5 weeks of severance + any unused PTO up to 40 hours. It is much better for you for the company to let you go so you can possibly get severance and unemployment. If you leave on your on, you get nothing.

Why do US employees tolerate doctrine of "employment at will"? Most employees worldwide have employment agreements. In the US, only the C suites etc... have employment contracts-agreements. Enjoy the open air plantation. Wage slaves waiting for some maybe perhaps miniscule 'severance' package? Wow. just wow.

I was in a very similar position as you. It took me about 2 years from the moment I realized stuff was happening to getting let go. I have almost 12 years and I calculated my benefit, which can be found on the internal site. Was it worth it? For me? Yeah it was. It was a struggle through the last couple of years and the end was humiliating. But I got my severance which is why I did it. I am now employed elsewhere and much happier.

If you are laid off, it might not be a bad idea to consult with an employment lawyer. If you were laid off with a severance package, a lawyer can be sure it is fair, based on his experience with similar cases. If you did not get a severance package, a lawyer should be able to tell you if you have any recourse, based on your benefits package information at the time. For those in Minnesota, we have a great employment lawyer in our Toastmaster group, Noontime Talkers: http://noontimetalkers.toastmastersclubs.org. Join one of our meetings (free) and I'll help connect you with him. He is very familar with Optum/UHG layoffs.

With due respect, No one in there right mind would go from Kaiser to that feces hole. As others have aptly stated: that place was Non union, for profit, understaffed, overworked, horrendous "management", revolving doors, empty promises, no pensions, massive endless layoffs, job insecurities, anemic "benefits" etc..etc..it was a US microcosm. A dump, a sinking ship rotten at its' core because of its people. Stay at KP. At least you have some dignity and respect as an employee, not a cog in some capitalistic corporate wheel.

What departments are being let go?
I just got an offer for UHG, coming from Kaiser but I’m thinking of declining due to all of these layoffs I’ve been reading about

I was told I was being terminated with prior positive performance reviews, no warning or performance issue nor any disciplinary action. Confused I asked why I was being terminated and I was told "performance." That week there was a major layoff. I was given no severance, lost a bonus accrued and worked for thru November, lost 401k and pension annual accrual, and all unvested 401k and pension benefits I had been given. Anything is possible at UHG!

Our team didn't get one. Many were there for 10 years+. All things are variable and dependent on who knows what. Unless "hr direct'" is federal law, it doesnt mean feces.

I see people saying that severance is not guaranteed, but I don't know anyone who was laid off who didn't get one. I do know people fired for cause who got nothing (of course). Everyone (including me) got the rate that you can find on HR Direct. Whether it's good or bad depends a lot on your pay grade and how long you have been there, but I don't know what scenario you wouldn't get the published rate.

Severance is absolutely not guaranteed in any way by the govt/corporation–very unusual /"exceptional". But that's us reality. It was a prolonged experiment in denying basic needs to its populace. Think: hunger games.

Severance is one week per each full year of employment for most employees. Higher GL’s get a bit more. Severance is not guaranteed.

Ouch, I apologise for forgetting to mention that the quote I copied was originally posted by @8kkm+17pqxuxx