Thread regarding CDW layoffs

I left earlier this year after spending 5 years dedicated to my craft. Customer first was always the most important thing to me, but lately the writing was on the wall. Compensation for sales hasn’t changed in 15years so if you were affected there is so much more out there where you will be greatly appreciated!

When I received my offer for my new position I almost had a Stockholm syndrome response like “you want to give me HOW MUCH?”. Having CDW on your resume will get you places and provide opportunities no doubt. So be confident.

I feel for the people affected by this and there has never been a bigger disconnect between leadership and their frontline workers than before. Every business decision is to check a box but without a purpose (women in leadership, salesforce, AI, etc.)

I can only hope people like Chris Leahy are on the hot seat.

The severance package was solid, so they handled that part well. My manager had no idea it was coming, was completely blindsided, and had absolutely no input in the decision. I feel for all the people left untouched and the additional work they will be required to absorb. In the end, we were just numbers and salaries on a spreadsheet...that's all.

@bs what are you even saying? This is to help people. If you don’t have anything constructive, maybe shush. DONT LISTEN TO THIS PERSON. So sorry to those who’ve been affected today.

Procurement was gutted of their best talent.

@OP I am an ex CDW employee and my former manager as well as the field manager for my team were let go.

My former manager made sense. The entire team hated him and he was a terrible manager.

The field manager not so much. I thought he was good, but he also wasn’t my direct manager.

@bd The only one on my team who got cut submitted an honest, but negative review of our manager. They were the MVP of our team so retaliation is the only reasonable explanation. Our manager claimed they had no involvement or pre-knowledge of coming layoffs.

@bj This is true because one of my coworkers who submitted an honest, but negative survey response was the only one on my team who go cut after 10+ years.

@bs What a ridiculous thing to say, people who are getting laid off are going to process and discuss however they please.

@bw I had my meeting first thing this morning and still haven’t received the email with any further details, like severance. The CWS lady said it would come by EOD, which is extra sh---y. I’m over 50 and have never heard of the OWBPA, so thanks for the heads up!

For those effected and have already had your exit interviews.. what was the severance package offered? If you were over 40 did they provide you with the required Older Workers Benefit Protection Act (OWBPA) list?

@bt
I'm not "bj" but I know from previous layoffs that sometimes a # is given to a manager or "leader" of a group/team (example could be 2 for instance) then that manager has to pick 2 people for the layoff.
This is why sometimes people that aren't at the bottom get picked (maybe manager didn't like push back on things or they weren't doing everything expected of them internally though they still brought in the $).
Nothing in writing but you bet this stuff is discussed at those offsite leadership meetings as the communication is always the same to those getting the boot.
Anyone on PIP is an easy pick but these times are also the chance to push out those that make too much or are more tenured.
They say they would absolutely not layoff any top performers but that's BS.

@bj How do you know that? I don't believe you're wrong, but it is very obvious now that instead of leadership taking hard feedback from the workforce, they are targeting people. We just really don't KNOW based on what criteria.

@bm This is a valid question but this is not the appropriate forum for this discussion. No one will be able to speak to specifics. Reach out to your AMs for more details and I'm sure you can get more clarity on what is going on.

@bm
As a customer you have the power to demand a tenured capable AM that isn't on the chopping block now or in the near future.
As a ex top performer at CDW...I valued my customer relationships more than anything as I knew who really allowed me to make/grow my income (not CDW but the customer contacts who trusted me and partnered with me).
If you have significant business, you have leverage or you can easily move to a competitor for part or all of your spend. Most companies are similar but the key in IT procurement and account management is the AM you are working with and there are rockstars in every company.
You can tell who is who during intros and the small everyday orders and how the AM communicates with you and makes sure everything is taken care of positive or negative (basically they have your back and are quick with the small things not just the large).

@bp
Are you in sales? There's some leeway with top performers some leadership aren't 100% d-mb.
Managers picking the wrong subordinates to layoff will eventually boomerang if thier overall team #'s drop.
Remember...most coworkers don't actually directly generate revenue and GP.

@bj My survey reply was....not kind. Fortunately I wasn't impacted today, but my manager was.

@bj
This was a given. I've seen "anonymous" survey results for years both internal and from customers.
NOTHING is anonymous.
Don't trust any of the current leadership at CDW. This isn't the same company since Leahy took over (remember her background is Legal and the other top people like Liz, came from HR).
This is thier part of thier plan to appease shareholders and cut costs as margins decline and try to get consistent beats on earnings.

We are a CDW Education Customer and have been less than impressed with the turnover they had occurred previously with people we were working with leaving halfway through projects. Was that team further impacted?

@ap Decline the meeting and propose a new tune a week from now.

This is 100% retaliation for answering the surveys honestly. the higher ups have taken that as a list for who to target. anonymous my @$$
50% of those let go are due to this one fact!

@bf Google Drive

@bd One of my coworkers told me that they gave honest, but very negative feedback on a recent survey and they were the only one from my team that got cut. They were here on a visa also. Our manager is pure evil, so I suspect retaliation.

@be It would be wise for those who are still employed to keep documents in a personal OneDrive. (Documents they are using to either build a case or for just in case).

Don't forget to go into Workday and print out all your performance reviews/documentation while you have access.

Rest assured, some of this is retaliation. Anyone gave a bad review lately regarding their manager?

@bb What happens if you do this? what was their response?

Declined the meeting invite.. I'm good over here. Talk to my attorney.

@b6 Frontline managers carrying out these calls are basically just fodder for the company. They are told what to say and that's it. Whether they wanted to say more, or not, they aren't allowed to do so. Whole thing su-ks.

Unfortunately I feel that I was the only one let go from my team. Enjoyed my time here but still feel slighted

What the total headcount affected?

@b5 Damn those two groups do so much for this company!

Just had the meeting. Cold, impersonal and over in 5 minutes after my manager stumbled through some script. 14 years...poof!

Bid Desk & Procurement got hit

Have my meeting scheduled this afternoon.. what's the point in showing up? They can mail me what they need to.

@b1 very sorry. :( What dept you in?

For all of those who are impacted - I hope your severance packages were reasonable and wish you the best of luck.

@b0 laid off as well!! 12 years and done.

Dang me too. I should have worked harder and kissed some more a-s. And not signed up for that daily barre class at 10am.

@ay Its affecting everyone under the new leader from Slalom, MK.

@ak can you share what segment they are in?