Make no mistake, it's happening right now. My building just started a round of layoffs this morning out of nowhere, but the signs have been there and I expected it sooner or later. Between:
The multiple leadership changes at the top of the tree
The reshuffling of management
The push for automation
The constant reassurance that we wouldn't be "replaced" by it
The consolidation of workforce and removal of work from home flexibility
The hiring freeze
The sudden budget awareness
We all should have seen it coming. As of right now I've been told our department is safe, but I've already polished my resume, and I'm midway through a promising application process to another company. With the confirmation of this now present, I'm definitely going to be increasing my efforts 100-fold. I know for a fact, that "safe" status won't last forever. I feel for the employees that were just let go, and I wish them luck and a quick turn around going forward.
For my fellow surviving Optum employees: Those of you still on the fence about what's happening, wise up and start taking action now. I can only hope that this information reaches you in time.
A good and truthful post by @Xo415wV-1uft . Thought I’d repost it.