Thread regarding Ford layoffs

So true @1zpm. In 2019 a Ford Credit Indian LL6 told my wife that FC was doing the right thing laying off the tech spec LL6s as they could be replaced by two Indians for less money. She went on to say how it was my wife’s own fault she was laid off as she was too technical and too skilled and should of spent her time networking and socializing instead of doing work.

Queue the music, on Tuesday the Ford Credit Indian LL6 was laid off and my oh my has she carried on about the injustice of it all. She had the nerve to call my wife and ask her for a help finding a new job. Karma is a B in this case.

Interesting how the trolls feed off of other's fears of being cut and then feed off the sadness of those who were cut. I need to look up what dysfunction that is. Some kind of sociopathic diagnosis I'm sure.

Sometimes people tell themselves that others were let go because they deserved it and they personally were kept because of their talent and skill. That internal dialogue helps them feel that they earned and deserve their job, that the layoffs were “fair” and they are safe from the same fate. Don’t kid yourself because it could, and may, happen to you as well. Of course I didn’t work closely with everyone let go but I knew some of them well and they did not deserve it. It could be that their salaries were too high, they were approaching a pension threshold or someone above them was threatened by their talent but it was not lack of ability.

I can guarantee you that the layoffs were not about performance, nor about knowledge. I still see the deadwood online, while good, smart, hardworking people were let go.

The layoffs were not about "saving the company from bankruptcy", nor about needing money for EVs. It was about to make the company look more profitable, cleaner sheets with less pension liabilities, so investors would notice Ford stock, and the shares go up.

I truly believe OP when he said he had no clue. I know one manager that followed the script of "easing the employees" by telling the team would not be touched. Funny thing is that the team was not touched, but the manager was laid off. Talk about blindsided.

@1pbu+1iozzP6M

Perhaps these individuals weren't as important enough to keep around. Lots of people kid themselves, but it's ultimately the end result that proves what is true, and what is not.

You can lie to us. You can lie to yourself. At the end of the day, you are either there, or not. And you can curse all the way home to the tears that no one will shed.

@ 1sqg pound sand.
In 2019 people on the team smugly made up stories about why the undisputed top 3 people on the team were released. The stories ranged from they made some one mad to they were too talented.
Now this week when the best 3 of what remained were released, some people realized the pattern - the best = highest paid = pink slip. Of course there still are those smug people who lack self awareness who continue to make up stories about why the best people were released. Everyone knows they are just trying to improve their own self image, as everyone knows Ford keeps the dregs and loafers. @ 1sqg you are only fooling yourself

I read about people that had above average, exceptional, and perfect reviews, that wonder why they're put up for dismissal. The answer to this is:

1. Reviews never "truly" mattered.
2. If you are talented, leadership doesn't need reviews to determine ability. Talented people put "meeting expectation", and everyone else pushes for the exceptional nonsense. At the end of the day, management knows who's delivering, and who's humble about it.

If you were exceptional, and were laid off, well, maybe you weren't all that exceptional. Know you know why.

To the person who wrote: "Woah, so you were totally blind-sided then...hard to believe.."

I don't know your motivation for doubting what I wrote and I really don't care. Other posters have been trolled here too. Its not clear what you imply by "your case in particular suggests that something bigger is at play here...".
I will simply say that:

1. I think your post was a bit rude without cause.
2. I don't know the criteria behind the selection process and neither do you. How "happy" an employee was, is never the criteria. I dont understand your comment.
3. My performance ratings were good, I NEVER was told of any issues, I met my deadlines, never complained, always supported management and team.
4. I thought we were safe because manager said so at team meetings repeatedly.
5. I don't understand why I or anyone in my group would have been targeted given the "official" reasons for the cuts that Ford gave in the media. I suspect "other reasons" but I'm not going to throw accusations against my former employer without proof.
6. There are people who will refuse to ever accept or admit that a company can ever do something wrong or incorrect. Its an ideology I won't waste my time debating.
7. I won't respond further here. Thought my comments might be helpful. Not here to argue or debate, I have more important things to do with my time obviously.

There are definitely positions available for web development and IT. We know someone that is IT director of operations for a large company, and he said he'd hire local all day long if there were people available. He's forced to go overseas to fill the gaps.

@mvl+1iozzP6M

Whats the point in doubting that story?

RE: @sro+1iozzP6M

Woah, so you were totally blind-sided then...hard to believe someone working on ADAS such as yourself would get mixed up in this "cost cutting exercise" because of how specialized it is, especially if you were happy and productive on your team. Don't get me wrong, I believe you; I'm just saying your case in particular suggests that something bigger is at play here...

Just to confirm, you're saying you didn't have ANY signs that this might happen? You felt a little underpaid, but it was worth it because you had a good amount of workload and good teammates? Your case doesn't make sense because it seems like you have one of the high demand skillsets that the company wants...no?

To answer your question, "While you were at Ford were you happy with your compensation, or did you feel underpaid?", I felt that according to salary info that I was finding on the web, I should have been making more money. Sometimes though, the salary info on the web can be misleading because salaries are very region dependent as you know. One MUST HAVE a higher salary in S. California or Boston just to pay expenses. A lesser salary gives the same lifestyle in the midwest. Back to your question .... I also was very happy at Ford and very happy with my team and with the ADAS work so money was secondary for me. It didn't bother me. Hope that answers it.

One additional comment. A few "trolling" posts on this site have implied that this Ford cut was to eliminate "all the incompetent people not carrying their weight". In my short 2 year time at Ford before being let go this week, I had the honor and privilege of working with MANY fellow Ford engineers, mainly electrical and in software development. I have 35 years experience working in tech at several companies and I have never encountered a more awesome and sharp group of engineers in my career! This layoff was not about cutting dead wood or getting rid of ICE engineers who cannot make the jump to EV. No way! Ford engineers are outstanding in every way and they can adapt and change is only management will give the opportunity. Its too late for me but I hope they will realize the error and don't cut more. Good luck to all!

Sorry to hear this but it's nice that you're staying positive and have some opportunities lined up already. While you were at Ford were you happy with your compensation, or did you feel underpaid?