Thread regarding PepsiCo Inc. (Pepsi) layoffs

Get a good lawyer !

I just got back from maternity leave (2 weeks ago) and I’m pretty sure I’m being laid off tomorrow. I’m past the 12wks FMLA, anyone know if there is anything I can do?

I agree with the last post. This annual purge has now become a business strategy for Pepsico. Layoffs used to happen sporadically but now you can practically set your watch to it! Just because you survive this round doesn’t mean you’ll survive the next one. I know a lot of people who left after last year’s culling and now that they’re hearing it’s all happening again, they’re glad they got out. Until there is a fundamental change in leadership and the way PepsiCo does business, this will continue to happen. And the high-ups don’t care because their jobs are safe and in a worst-case scenario they all have golden parachutes.

They do this every year. Every. Year. I am not aware of anyone successfully challenging anything and they cover themselves well. That’s why they give the list of affected people. While it’s human to want to fight it; your odds of winning are small. Be angry; you deserve better; and there is better out there. It’s a toxic environment. If you make it through this one get out before February 2020 because it will be Groundhog Day and “I’ve got you, babe” will be on your radio every morning.

Hire an attorney no matter what your package, and never sign under a time pressure they give you. The law will not side with the company putting pressure on a terminated employee.

Thank you for sharing

No, the severance was presented as a take-it-or-leave-it option with no room for negotiation. I’ve never heard of a situation in which an impacted employee could negotiate the terms of the severance. I’d imagine that you might have to hire an attorney, which could get really expensive.

You stated "As for the severance itself, they offered two weeks for every year worked at PepsiCo." Is there any room for negotiation with the severance that they offer? Did you make an attempt?

When they did job eliminations in 2010, there was a preset severance in place as part of the sale of the franchise I was with that was taken over by Pepsico. The formula was 26 weeks pay and insurance, and a lump sum of one week pay per years of service. There was also a clause that stipulated that if you were offered a job and took it, you had 90 days to see if you wanted to stay. If not you could collect severance at that point. I was offered a job, but was not sure if after 90 days the severance was based on the old pay structure or the new one. They wouldn't give me that answer, and gave me only 18 hours to make my decision. I signed off and took severance because the difference would have been substantial. I found out too late that it was illegal to not furnish me with that information, but I had already signed off. Not being prepared cost me. So. Don't be caught off guard.

I was laid off last year from a B1 role. I wasn’t offered a lateral move or any other job. They told me that my role was eliminated. They also give you paperwork stating that your role has been eliminated. The servence packaged offered was conditional upon me agreeing not to make any disparaging remarks about PepsiCo and to not work for a direct competitor (no running off to KO). As for the severance itself, they offered two weeks for every year worked at PepsiCo.