#morale

We're stretched thin, underpaid, and drowning in work, but they keep organizing these mandatory happy events. Last month our manager brought snacks while pretending our 60-hour weeks don't exist. Is this just us? If not, does anyone actually feel better after these things? What would real acknowledgment even look like?

Anyone else think the current COA metrics and stipulations are a joke? From my perspective, the expectations feel misaligned with the operational realities many recruiters are facing.
I genuinely appreciate the hard work and dedication of our top performers. However, I think it’s important to acknowledge that some of those team members have access to additional resources—such as administrative support—that significantly reduce their non-recruiting workload. Other recruiters are expected to meet similar performance standards while also managing administrative responsibilities independently. This creates a perception of inequity across the team.
Historically, many tenured recruiters managed large principal headcounts—often 60–80 coa—without additional support and while serving as the sole point of contact. Those titles were earned through sustained performance under challenging conditions. While compensation structures and business models have evolved, the current expectations combined with reduced support and compensation pressures are contributing to morale concerns.
There also appears to be inconsistency in how resources are allocated. Concentrating support around select individuals may drive strong results for a few, but it can unintentionally limit broader team growth and development. A more balanced distribution of resources could potentially create stronger, more sustainable performance across the organization.
Additionally, low level recruiters continue to absorb responsibilities outside of traditional recruiting scope—particularly in areas where ownership of process and payroll has shifted. When placement teams are not fully owning those processes, recruiters are often required to fill the gap. This increases workload without a corresponding adjustment in expectations or compensation.
Finally, I believe leadership alignment and transparency are critical during times of change. There are individuals within recruitment who bring deep institutional knowledge and strong operational leadership. Ensuring that the right leaders are empowered to guide strategy and execution will be important for long-term success. There needs to be advocating for equity, clarity in expectations, and a structure that supports both high performance and team-wide growth. The recruitment team deserves a win not more unrealistic goals thrown up against the wall hoping it sticks.

Have to say, morale is as bad as ive seen it in a decade. Marathon has managed to take a happy and prosperous workforce and completely svck the fvcking life out of it. Gone are the days of site independence, now everything is handed down by corporate edict through 2 year engineers who only know to do what theyre told. I suppose it was bound to happen when the C-suite was more concerned with woke bvllshit and DEI representation for 4 years than running a fvcking business. Its criminal to watch them manage this company right into the ground. All of the new initiatives scream desperation, while employees leave in droves. The worst part is that its paving the way for boot licking goobers to work their way into management roles, solidifying incompetence from the top.

Was amazed how many people were unashamedly prepping resumes at work this week. Can't blame them.

EVERY DAY

Thinking about the past few years and how our Board, C-Suite and Executive "leaders" have thoroughly missed the boat on so many potential opportunities while hitting on every landmine possible has made me conclude these are no visionaries or even leaders. They are just empty suits getting overpaid. Such a shame that good employees with a solid work ethic are taking the brunt of the fall. If nothing changes I do not think this bank will survive in to the 2030s.

This place is so toxic you cant stand signing on. Nobody should dread sunday nights or any night going to work. This place seriously needs to be called out to the public for what it really is. Instead of the lies put out there in linkdin and everywhere else presenting themselves as some great leader of the financial world. Sc-mbags have ruined everything and everyones moral here since robin fu-k face came along

It is astonishing that Belk expects professional loyalty while their stores literally rot around them.

From water-stained ceilings to predatory workloads, the 'Belk experience' is one of pure misery.

They don't care about your department; they only care about how much labor they can squeeze out of you before you break.

I quit without notice because they earned that lack of courtesy. It’s a dying brand for a dying generation, and the day they finally close their doors will be a mercy to the retail industry. Just go away Belk.

There is a strong emphasis placed on accountability, performance standards, and meeting deadlines, with clear consequences when expectations are not met. Annual performance scores and compensation are directly tied to those metrics.

Given that standard, it is concerning that the organization provided only one week’s notice that the largest bonus of the year would be delayed by an entire month. The communication was limited to a generic platform notification, with no direct leadership acknowledgment or explanation.

Additionally, the messaging shared on internal earnings calls often differs in tone and substance from investor communications, which are delivered prior to company-wide updates. That contrast creates confusion and erodes trust.

Delaying annual and Q4 bonus payouts by a full month, particularly without transparent communication, raises valid concerns about financial timing decisions and prioritization. Compensation is not discretionary recognition; it is earned performance pay.

When accountability appears to operate asymmetrically, it impacts morale, credibility, and ultimately retention. High-performing employees expect alignment between standards set for them and standards modeled by leadership.

More stock buybacks, not rewards to your common employees. That’s how you drive employee satisfaction even lower. To the mud we go!

Total insensitivity for those that have been part of the many layoffs. Metrics are almost impossible to meet and performance reviews are calculated so unfairly. Not the company everyone used to know. Associates are crying, frustrated and disappointed in how the way they make their lives are being handled. SO SAD.

cold clueless no coverage meetings with rif and poor people left to stay and fail with not one word to address what is happening. beyond cruel and pathetic.

No offense to the people who are still here, many of them are just amazing, but in aggregate, top talent has already left Optum years ago

This space could be used to exchange information and offer support to those concerned about their jobs and families.

The real issue is corporate greed, not one another.

I’m shocked how lethargic and resigned so many colleagues are to being laid off…once Verizon was a company to be proud of but right now? It’s a sad situation that employees feel so disconnected from the company

It's over for this place.

It's a wonder any of us can get any work done. It's unhealthy and ki-ls morale. If we had better leadership, they'd realize they're destroying the entire company like this.

State Farm just announced it made $24 Billion dollars last year and is going to pay $5 Billion in dividends. Most in history! State Farm is a Mutual Company and should never ever ever never make that much money. They have the best actuaries and investment people and know exactly what they are doing. That means they have been robbing people blind. Remember that the next time they tell you to do more with less or we don't have any money in the budget for staffing. I can only imagine what kind of bonuses the Executives are going get. Just like the rest of Corporate America destroying this nation. Sc-m of the earth trash!

Is it just me, or does every day feel like you’re bracing for something? Meetings have gotten tense, and the only time you hear feedback is when something went wrong. God forbid you get commended for a job well done. In the end, I just keep my head down and try not to get noticed too much, either way.

The performative posts from people who still have jobs are getting exhausting. All that humble bragging and inspirational garbage while so many of us are struggling to find work. It feels like a highlight reel from people who either got lucky or won't admit how bad things really are. Hard to scroll through it without rolling my eyes these days.

So many people getting bent out of shape, and for what? No layoffs. There’s a lesson in there somewhere.

The level of chaos and misery that I am seeing in Irving is off the charts. I've been in corporate America for decades and I've never seen anything approaching this level of cruelty-- unfortunately I think that's the point.

Devon may feel better knowing that Coterra employees got railroaded on bonus pay. Blood is In the water, and expect our efforts in the toilet. Moral is gone, can’t imagine any efforts or above expectations. Let the quiet quitting begin. OKC may keep its strong presence after all. Figured it may let someone other side feel better. I hear Devon payouts were business as usual. Congrats!

Nobody wants to hear your sniffling coughing sneezing all day and worse yet become a victim of your super spreading. You can tell when one is around even when they are silent - the air smells funny. FWF for forcing these sickly people to show up and sit in an already crowded space to meet the 8 hours a day, 3 days a week in-office mandate so that the rest of us could benefit from their presence.

Tonight will be "fun," considering I didn't sleep at all last night, and something tells me I'm not the only one. I'm now wondering, is there even a slight chance that this will be it? That after this round, we'll be able to move on from layoffs at least for a while and focus on our work again?

In Legal Affairs this week, 11 people most of whom are in their 50’s and women with pensions. They are outsourcing their jobs to India and hiring a few of them to teach their jobs to and manage their Indian replacements. Of course if you are one of the ones they hire back, you will get a demotion to a lower job grade level.
Is this happening in other areas?

It's been relentless, too much stress for way too long. At this rate, we'll all be wrecked by the time it's done. I wish they'd just ripped the bandage off in one go. Finding out bad news immediately hurts less than endless uncertainty. My heart goes out to the Blaine people, but at least they have answers. I truly wish them the best of luck finding good jobs.

It's really hard to feel settled at Gainwell anymore. Nobody talks about long term plans like they used to. It's all about how we'll make it to the next month. It's exhausting, to be honest.

Curious how others felt about today’s town hall. Did the messaging resonate with you? I’m trying to process it and would appreciate different perspectives.

If you want, tell me:
• What specifically rubbed you the wrong way?
• What words or moments stood out?
• Was there anything NOT addressed?

Let’s unpack it instead of letting it just sit in your chest.

Key people keep leaving or getting shown the door all the time. Morale is in the gutter and the energy here is completely dead. You can feel it walking in every morning. Nobody trusts that things will be stable from one week to the next, not to mention month or year.

I mean sure thank the folks you let go... Who are not able to join the meeting... Who aren't give the opportunity to retrain... Who get to enter one the harder labor markets.... Take it from these well paid folks who are getting bonuses during such strong business singles thanks...

M@rk, please wake up and see who is running this company:

Your head of HR is an emperor with no clothes.

Your CFO is a washed up hack that does not develop people and is coasting. He also does not live our values.

Your head of IT is in WAY over her head and was a salesperson before she arrived here.

You need change. Why can’t you see it? The entire organization and Elliott does. And, yes, we all discuss it.

You have lost the confidence of your people. When you came in you gave us hope, but your leadership selections are ruining this company.

This witch SM is having her Town Hall and is putting me to sleep. What a waste of company time

It seems that FIS Belgrade office is in disarray. Lot of people were fired and morale is zero. It seems they are probbly going to close the office. Almost everybody there is trying to escape

After withholdings and deductions, the base increase indeed feels like "peanut butter" sized. It's hardly there at all. Meanwhile, Mr. Shart gave himself a handsome 28% raise.

It’s simply not worth it. Don’t let this mismanaged menagerie put you in the ground. While they shove more work and a 1% raise at you (while the CEO cleared nearly 30mm in 2024 per the 10k published). You’re doing time here that’s it. There is no future any longer working for PepsiCo - it’s just a name on a C.V. that looks good. When the economy picks up - they might as well just leave the exit door opened.

There was a time when retiring here felt guaranteed. That hasn’t been true for at least a decade. With constant layoffs, retirement feels like a distant luxury. Most of us are too busy worrying about what tomorrow might bring to think that far ahead. That’s the reality we’re living in.