Why do some announce they are retiring but you can tell it seems forced? Does upper leadership tell these people they are being laid off and then lie to everyone about the real reason? I have seen this in at least 4 people in the last year. At first I thought confidence but it doesn’t make sense, especially with departure date. Anyone have insight? How is it legal to let someone say they are retiring when they are really being laid off?
14 replies (most recent on top)
@b7 Wrong it’s ILLEGAL to get in the middle of that and no one can legally tell you except the individual who is “retired”. They can say what they want to say. Doesn’t matter if they’re an a- hole leader. You would not want your protected HR information out there. And don’t be the a- hole you’re talking about.
In my case, I asked to be added to the layoff list and was happy to take that. Manager was great to support that. They had to cut a % anyway, didn’t matter who. It was time.
@b1 It’s also no one’s business to harrass and mob employees to no-end, but it happens here quite a bit. Can you remind these “leaders” of that too, with that same energy? I’m here for forcing all bullies out! They know when they hurt employees with RIFs, CAPs etc, we should get to celebrate their “carma”!
@b1 Not if they are an a-hole of a leader! They come a dime a dozen here. You dint get to bully and fire or lay people off in. retaliatory manner then claim it’s no one’s business when your turn comes! Bullshiiiiiii…..
@aq Your answer is EXACTLY 💯 percent correct. I had a friend here for it and I'll eventually do it. It's all about the RSUs and severance
It is no one’s business if someone retired or was RIFed/forced out. Furthermore, no one is obligated to explain themselves. That is between them and Optum HR.
In most cases, they have considerable restricted stock options they would lose if they just quit. Retirement is one of the provisions by which they can keep their RSUs assuming they meet age (55, I believe) and time of service requirements. So they probably work out a little severance too if they can time it with a RIF.
Maybe they were laid off but decided to also retire and stop working all together?
Have seen that happen to an old VP from the AE days, as well as a more elderly teammate who was a SWE on my team recently. "Retired." The grosser part was for the latter situation, my Indian manager on a visa who clearly forced the guy out threw him a retirement pizza party and had the gall to ask us to give him gifts to celebrate after he had fired the guy.
This normally happens to toxic people in high roles. When they become too much of a liability, they are forced to resign and call it: “retirement”. Saw this in both UHC and Optum.
When you are high ranking, the allow you to save face and make up stuff like retired. But you can tell they were fired it forced ti resign.
Yes! lol. I’ve seen it so many times after working here for almost 9 years! It’s usually VPs. Some times Director level 30
@OP because it can be both. Certain groups of employees with enough years of service, age and job level can retire and walk away with a few extra benefits. Their position is also eliminated. So, it's a "mutual" parting of ways.
@OP There’s a concept called marginal income. When that extra $ is not worth it and one should walk away from the toxicity. Some can afford to retire but need the extra kick. Yes, they are forced but they can afford to walk away