Have you ever seen the opposite day episode of Sponge Bob? That is what listening to the all associate meetings reminds me of. The thing I find most distressing about upper management is that usually within two weeks of these meetings the opposite of what they said would happen occurs. For instance, most recently we heard after the initial layoffs: Are there plans to lay off any HCMs? was asked. At this time, we have no further plans to lay anyone off anyone else was the reply. Next thing you know HCMs, coaches, and COMS were impacted. Come on! Am I supposed to believe you didn’t know that was coming a week ago? What I hear when they say “no more layoffs” is “tighten your seatbelts and get ready for the next round.” People who can’t find their computer with two hands stay and smart, efficient people go. Seems like there is no rhyme or reason, but I would bet it comes down to some algorithm based on money (i.e. salaries).
I’m a relationship kind of person, but I understand numbers and I can appreciate them. What I don’t appreciate is being lied to. To me Humana sees their associates as a commodity. They will lay off here and at the same time be hiring there. You’d think maybe they would try to move their talent to where the needs are, but they are content to keep associates to the last possible minute needed in one area and then lay them off. At the same time, they will hire from the outside for upcoming positions needed in other areas. And that’s fine, but be honest about it.
Why not consider taking a real approach to transitioning talent within? Oh wait, I forgot. Why transfer talent within when you could likely save money from hiring in from the outside? With Humana, it is usually about the money, not people. Humana should be called Automata. It is evident whether you are talking about clients or associates.
Opposite day is funny on Sponge Bob, but not as a reality episode at work.