#stress

I hate it here. I hate the politics, the chaos, and the daily stress, among many other things. But every time I update my LinkedIn, I get messages from recruiters who only see the brand. That's the strange bargain I've made - suffer through the dysfunction so I can leverage the PayPal name for my next move while it still means something. At least it should be good for something.

A TL just transferred to my store - dude has been with the company for 13 years and has been in 12 different stores. If that's not a red flag, I don't know what is. In his last store he went out on "stress leave" for three months because he said he couldn't "handle the job". If he couldn't handle it there then what makes store leadership think he can handle it here? He's currently on a PIP. He sits in the office on his phone all day. Pals around with his ATL, who also sits in the office with him and they watch Tiktoks together. Why do they keep these kind of people and oust the hard workers by changing their schedules and putting the teams entire work on those people that actually work instead of holding failed leadership accountable?

There were so, so, so many better ways do do this. Ways that wouldn't have half of us on Xanax just to get through this with our mental health intact. Who decided to do it this way should be fired immediately.

This whole VSP/looming layoff has got me stressed to the point where my anxiety has gotten to the point that I am now on prozac and still can't sleep. I have barely been able to function in my role and spend most of my time trying to look for other positions. I just hope I am approved for the VSP so I know I have an end date for this company. This is my third time going through this and I can't handle this anymore.

What happens to health coverage after you get laid off? I'm really stressed about losing mine and can't afford to be without it.

I'm so drained from working here that it's started affecting my health. For the first time in my life, I'm on blood pressure medication. I've been trying to find a new job, but nothing seems to be working out.

I was expected once again to take on tasks I've never been trained for, on top of everything else I already have to do. I said no. I told them if that's a problem, they can fire me because I'm done caring. My manager wasn't thrilled, but I'm still employed for now, so I guess they needed me more than they let on.

My manager says I'm crucial to the team and not to stress about RAs. I want to trust him, but I know these decisions come from higher up. Do direct managers get any say in deciding who to let go?

I'm so stressed about layoffs that I can't focus. As a result, I'm worried I'll end up getting cut because my performance is slipping. It's kind of funny in a terrible way.

Morale is in the gutter due to cuts and leadership couldn't care less. They don't seem to realize that stressed employees aren't productive employees. Or they don't care.

This is psychological warfare extending the date two weeks. If anyone gets emails and could tell us the role you’re in and if you get approved, that would be helpful. This is beyond fu---d up. That place is fu--ing garbage.

As reported in the NYT this morning. Gail took full credit of course, but I could just envision her thinking “these RIF’s are working great! Gotta kick it into high gear”. Glad I retired a few months back and out of that stress.

I know people who've left FIDO and found so much joy. They tell me about the peace they've found and the stress that's gone, but I still can't do it. I believe them, but I just can't overcome my own fear of the unknown. What if I can't find something? What if it's worse? I know it's probably not, but I can't convince myself to take the risk.

Sleeping well these days? Doubt it. Who could when you're always looking over your shoulder for the next layoff?

Thought I couldn't make it without my Humana salary for most of my two decades at the company. Finally mustered the courage to shed them and can't believe how happy and stress-free my life is now.

How much is enjoying life worth to you? Truly enjoying it, not just putting on a happy face while dread and uncertainty haunt your thoughts. Haven't seen anyone posting "Wish I'd stayed at Humana" here have you? That's because they're finally free and happy like me.

Things will not improve, they will not learn, there is no greener grass elsewhere.

The best you can do is learn to detach from all this - accept and embrace the sh-t show.

Why are they sending emails about mission simplify like it's some fun thing!? And mentioning AI training. I'm disgusted at how tone deaf these communications are. People are stressed out!!!! It's hard enough to keep working without getting these emails so if they arent going to tell us useful information, they need to shut the f up about it and let people attempt to work in peace.

Thoughts on anyone who just attended the town hall? What a load of BS. I am sure all the staff on the call appreciated the UM Tech slide and AI taking over their jobs. Questions in the chat on VSP, were responded with VSP is not part of this presentation, we have no further updates to share, appreciate this is a stressful time and the VSP decision is a personal one. Basam and team could not be anymore disrespectful. So disingenuous to your valued employees. Disgraceful!!!

Home loan
Student loan
Car loan(s)
Boat loan
401k Loan
:(

I know everyone is anxious and looking for updates. Honestly, nobody has the answers right now. We are all just speculating while we wait for VSP approvals and see who gets laid off.
At this point, it is a waiting game. Instead of stressing over what we cannot control, I encourage you to:

• Protect your energy: Please take care of your mental health.
• Explore options: Actively look for other jobs in the market.
• Get advice: Consult lawyers if you have specific legal questions.
  Let’s support each other by being patient and taking things one day at a time.

I usually love this time of year, but I couldn't get into it this weekend. The constant stress of this job has just su-ked all the happiness out of me.

I'm more stressed than I've ever been. I don't know if we'll ever get to a point where we can just focus on our work again and not have to think about layoffs every two weeks.

The anxiety is keeping me awake. There are too many questions and not enough answers. I just want this whole thing to be over.

I honestly cannot tell if this site is helping me or stressing me out more! I am taking this VSP but stressed my PL will deny it. So until July 15th and we all know for sure, I don’t think I will be able to breathe.

This is stressing me out a lot more than I would like it to. :/ If you apply for jobs that are hiring now, they won't want to wait until September. I see two options:
1- You get a job offer now, take it and loose out on the severance pay.
2- Decline job offers and risk not being able to get a job when the time comes but get the severance pay. (Assuming your VSP is accepted and everything with metrics goes smoothly in order to get the VSP..)
I wish they would just let me go now because there's so much of not knowing it's torture. I can't shake the feeling that they're gonna fire people for any reason they can so they don't have to give the VSP. But I've never been at a company that was doing layoffs and felt my job was at risk, so maybe I'm being dramatic.

People that work the most are going to suffer the most...So November huh? For non reps?

So I been debating on writing this post all weekend. On Friday my team received updated information from our supervision team regarding what to expect, that they are willing to release that is. This information included that all VSP will be accepted, outside of those that cannot be due to "company needs" (whatever that means). That the expected member loss numbers for the coming year are to be between 100k-200k. That after they review the VSP that they will then re-evaluate the needed number to be laid off if enough people don't take the voluntary hit.
Speaking as an employee if I am being very frank... If management want to do this as quickly and willingly as possible, they might consider providing the language expected to be sent with the VSP contract and allow for it to be written as a Voluntary Separation in lieu of projected possible layoff. This would allow those that need to, to file for Unemployment Insurance without having to fight up-hill. Especially since most people in this economy are living paycheck to paycheck. Those that have saving know that it will only last so long considering the job market and current living costs due to inflation. Secondly, anyone who has been here longer than a year know that this is just one in many cycles of layoffs since the transition to current leadership. There is no reason to believe anything we are told at this point. What is the expectation, what is the projection for expectations following the layoffs? How are we to be expected to meet the already rising expectations and decreasing co-worker numbers?
Couple that with the fact that we were also notified as of Friday even with all of this that all employees are going to expected to meet all expectations, and metrics regardless of situation, stress, lowered numbers and that management is going to be expected to enforce this across the board. I am so confused, with very few exceptions the people I have met in my time here spend every waking minute going above and beyond for our members, while at the same time expectations are tossed onto the heap with no explanation other than get it done. The number of hours in the day hasn't changed, the amount of work has increased at least five-fold, the duties keep getting tossed on our backs and you think that means it just magically gets done... Last time I checked I don't have a magic wand, if I did, I definitely wouldn't be in this situation, and neither would my members are co-workers.
So I would suggest that maybe management instead of just looking at how much money they need for investors takes a good look at the toll those goals is having on its workforce. I am telling you right now as someone who can see the writing on the wall at some point we all break. At some point the expenses that you will be looking at will be in disability insurance claims for the toll of the emotional and physical stress that you cause your employees.
I know this is a long post and for that sorry not sorry... But holy he-l batman when are is anyone going to listen to what is really happening. The people in the trenches are crying out for help, under a mountain of work, while doing everything we can to help members that are losing everything around us. You cannot keep moving the goal post ahead and looking down saying we aren't doing enough. Then mock up by send a freaking survey out the week you notify us all that we are temporary at best and really don't matter, while in the same breath shouting that we better meet those metrics and goals. THE AUDACITY!
So lastly, may the odds be ever in our favor. The 2026 Hunger Games have begun. To my co-workers I see you and hear you, I care that you are struggling even if they don't. No matter what happens I see your value and the way you affect these members every day. No matter what happens, take care of yourself and make the decisions that will make you okay.

Sigh, I don’t want to do this anymore. I’m just so tired of worrying about a layoff. I just don’t care anymore

How do you navigate working for a leader who consistently deflects responsibility when things go wrong, portrays themselves as the person holding the organization together, and repeatedly singles out one or two employees for criticism until they eventually they leave or get fired as a cause of this set up. Abusive or demeaning language in private but present themselves as professional in public. How do I protect myself from this gaslighting? Very shameful.

I wish Verizon would be more transparent regarding our jobs. I’m working doing what I’m supposed to do but it’s an elephant in the room. In VCG a lot of upper management meetings but nothing definitive about layoffs are being shared or hinted. We’re all trying to read between the lines and it’s stressful.

As this is all going on, and with the stress, anxiety and uncertainty of will we have a job come a month or 2, my people leader is production! production! production! How are we to stay focused with these chats and emails going out about metrics and audits when inside all of us are stressed and nervous? Beyond frustrating!

RTO is absolutely driving me crazy. I'd quit tomorrow if I could afford it, but since I can't now I just keep hoping they lay me off.

If you want to see bad management, look at how layoffs are being handled. One day would have been enough, but they've dragged it out for the whole week, which to some of us feels like forever. For days we wake up stressed wondering if today is the day. Why's that necessary? Outside of just being cruel for the sake of being cruel.

If we knew that once this is all over, once VSPs and involuntary layoffs are done, we're good. We can relax, we can do our jobs without worrying. Sadly, we all know that even after all the stressing and anticipation, once this is over, we'll just move on to the next round, or next reorg, or next something that'll threaten our jobs. And that su-ks.

I'm not sure I'll be able to do anything today. I tried sleeping but I'm so nervous and over-stressed that I couldn't. I'm honestly not sure how I'll make it through the day, especially if cuts really do continue. My team was not affected yesterday, so if there's more, chances are we will be.

The amount of stress this company has caused in the past year to me and my colleagues is unbelievable.

They expect us to work as if everything is ok, while hearing every couple of weeks that someone is laid off.

Today has been an especially difficult day, and I can’t focus on anything. Supposed to leave on holiday on Monday, not knowing whether I’ll have a job to return to.

Not worth it.

what are y’all getting? and are there any good deals by other retailers right now?

I’m thinking about getting an adult coloring book and some markers to focus on something and calm my nerves. maybe some puzzles and word finds too.

I can’t be the only person having an incredibly difficult time focusing on work right now.

I’ve invested nearly 10 years here, earned multiple “Exceeds Expectations” reviews, and always taken pride in being a strong contributor wherever I work. But with so much uncertainty surrounding what’s next, I find myself struggling to stay motivated. The constant unknowns are starting to interfere with my ability to focus on the day-to-day work that’s expected of me.

And we will have over 3 weeks before we hear anything about these VSPs

These posts are all just passing the time. Each and everyone have valid points. We will all never agree, but we can agree on is that the wait is weighing heavily on us all.

It was a difficult decision to retire but I new it was the decision I needed to make for my health. BNY was attributing to my stress and unhappiness. Longer hours, more responsibility and less pay had become the norm and i no longer "enjoyed" my job as a didbin the past. It has been 6 months since I retired and I am a new person. I am relaxed, easy to be around and learned how to laugh and smile again. I cannot explain it, it is just freeing. People told me I am a changed person in a good way, too.
If you can retire and afraid to pull the trigger, don't be. You will not regret saving yourself. The firm will not blink an eye when you are gone. Some inexperienced person will take over and life goes on.

We all know more cuts are coming. But I'm looking at other companies and they're all in the same shape. I'd leave if I could find somewhere better, but I can't. And the stress of all this is really taking a toll on me physically. I honest to goodness don't know what to do.