I was laid off in 2019 after a long tenure with this shameful company. As I still try to process what happened to me, I keep thinking about all the people around me that knew this was going to happen. They let me continue to work myself to the bone, continued to give me excellent reviews, and continued to let me create ideas to make our unit and company thrive. They continued to talk and act towards me as if all was normal. Yet all along, or at least a decent amount of time, they knew I was going to be shockingly let go. My question to them is how can they live with themselves? Does what happened to me haunt them? Am I just yesterday's news and it's just every man or woman for themselves? I guess I am still looking for closure on all of this. Respectful insights would be much appreciated.
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OP, why is it that you feel that the people around you knew what was going to happen? You toss the word "they" around as if there was a large group of people in the know and I suspect you are bitter towards people that weren't.
I swear the "that's not how this works" commercial comes to mind every time I visit this site because there are so many talking out of their rear without a single clue what really goes on. This post is in reference to the person talking about "The List" and the "confidential" survey.
I can assure you that his post is based more on his wild imagination than facts.
My only regret in getting laid off at BNY Mellon is I miss the bagels in the cafeteria. They were excellent.
Think of yourself as one of the lucky ones. You are not one of the poor grunts to now have to pickup your old responsibilities on top of their own. The work load is unsustainable as Bridget burns out her superstars (whomever is left that has a clue).
Senior managers on our dept had a List. They regularly hold meetings to review the List. Everyone in our dept was a number on that List. Your manager would place each staff member's name on wherever he thought suited on that List. They know very well who they like, and that is how the List works - on nothing else. When your management wants to get rid of you, your number moves high on the List, and they will seek any excuse to move you out. Often they do this to valuable employees who could unseat a manager. Oh, and your manager gets a copy of your managers survey (the one where you grade your manager "confidentially"). So then your manager has the means to select where he / she will place you on the List.
It is not your fault, but a sign of a corrupt system, of unethical practices known to senior management and to HR.
I'm sorry to learn about your situation. Unfortunately it has happened to so many people. I was a 20 year employee of BNY Mellon (Mellon and ABN AMRO Mellon) before I was laid off. It is shameful the way management has been behaving in recent years. Like other posters have stated - just try to look forward and take stock of the wonderful experience that you have to offer your next employer. One observation that I would offer is that in spite of a number of great earnings cycles at BNYM, the constant quest to lay off people continues. This has only accelerated since BNYM decided to self insure employees for health insurance. Watch how many people get laid off as they get older - there is a definite age bias here.
Nobody cares for others. It's about their own pockets. So you realised now, company don't belong to employees. It belongs only to the owners and big shots like CEO, CIO etc. Best thing is - try searching a new job if you haven't got one. And I am sorry for you job loss. May God bless you. Amen.
At first you ask yourself why me, and this is normal to feel this way but from experience try to get over this as fast as you can because your life will only get better for you in mind and soul. Take some time and reflect on what you would like to do in the future and maybe its something you always dreamed about but never took the chance because we become to comfortable in jobs we have and never want to leave the security of it, so this may be the opportunity that has presented itself to look out there for something that will make you happy that you always wanted to try!
Sorry about what happened, may I ask which area or department you worked in?
What business area got hit this way? Sounds like people got blindsided, which isn't typical.
Reading your post really touched my heart. I am sincerely sorry that you were laid off.
Unfortunately, I’ve seen this play out a little too much as of lately. Managers seem to be telling certain people on the team they are "safe" and telling upper management these employees are busy (when they are not) while overloading other teammates with work. I am truly sorry.
I do understand why you want closure and present to you some suggestions shared with me some time ago…
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Some people have mastered the fine art of bull$%#!ery. They are just that c-appy (literally).
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Don't spend anymore time thinking about them. Close the iron gate in your mind.
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It feels pretty bad right now as you question why you were laid off and it's ok to feel that...but only for a short time. Hit your fast forward button and find happy.
Sorry you were let go. In my area, we have had literally hundreds of people let go. We all feel bad every time someone is laid off. The reality is none of us know who will be let go. We all are just waiting for our number to be called. The writing is on the wall for all of us. Good luck in your job search!
I'm sorry to hear about your situation. I too was let go this year, and it hasn't been a fun process. It's easy to go back and think about why this or why that but you have to keep your head up and understand that it isn't your fault. When the company lays employees off, it's their failure, not yours. It sounds like you were an excellent employee so you should be proud of yourself. I earned an EE on my performance reviews almost every year I was there and was still let go without a prior warning. It's tough, but you will make it through this. Good luck to you.