#anxiety

Am I the only one getting nervous over the fact that we're still without layoffs? It's starting to feel like the calm before the storm - and the kind of storm that will be remembered for a long while. I hope I'm just being paranoid.

I got out and my life changed overnight. You have no idea how much of your anxiety is caused by this place until you leave.

If you accepted the offer, why are you still nervous? This is an honest question. If I got it, I'd have accepted it and been relieved. I don't understand all the anxiety over a longer wait. Either you get approved, which is what you wanted, or you don't, and you stay in the same situation you're in now. What's the issue? What am I missing?

I can't shake this feeling of dread even though logically I know nothing major is happening this week. I guess Fiserv finally broke 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 get that people are anxious about what's coming, but it's probably not going to be as bad as you think. There are so many other companies doing interesting work with better compensation and a much healthier environment. Leaving Centene might turn out to be the best thing that happens to you.

I'm not saying there won't be, but I can't find any official info to indicate anything other than we're done. Do people know something I don't or is it just anxiety talking?

Unemployment fears are now concentrated among educated, higher-income Americans. This marks a significant shift from historical patterns. The New York Fed's Survey of Consumer Expectations tracks this trend. Their anxiety currently outpaces actual white-collar layoff rates. Automation and post-pandemic hiring corrections contribute to this growing concern.

https://qz.com/higher-income-americans-unemployment-fear-fed-survey-062926

That's 100% the only reason why I'm still here.

Sad thing is, even knowing this round is over I can't truly relax or be happy I survived, since we all know there'll be more before the end of the year. Working with the constant threat of layoffs is not good for our health, mental or physical. Layoffs always happened, but they were occasional, not like now.

These senior leaders do not realize or care that they are messing with people mental health. My anxiety is past my threshold. I can not focus and to top it off can’t enjoy my PTO from all this stress!

Is anyone else feeling super anxious after accepting the VSP? I know it's ultimately the best choice for my wellbeing, but the decision still feels incredibly stressful as the 7/2 deadline approaches. I'd love to hear from others navigating this!

Are they actually going to make us wait until August 10th to know if we are still here? That is so far away.

Since this platform is anonymous, are any people leaders willing to share what they know? Just give us what you can without exposing yourself.
How many need to accept VSP to prevent layoffs? Will layoffs hit all business lines?
Seeing post after post about closed-mouthed leaders only adds to the anxiety and frustration.
My direct leader offered some words of encouragement but not much else. Her leader, who usually has lots to say about everything has said nothing worth hearing, just the usual emotionally void attitude and gas lighting us to accept all this as normal.
Leadership is playing numbers games, but these are people's livelihoods. We deserve transparency.

I’m so stressed I’m having nightmares and daymares about me dying at my desk or turning into that Brendan Fraser movie The Whale. I think I might have to look elsewhere sooner that I thought. I was gonna holdout longer but I don’t think it’s a good idea

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

Even after working on solutions that these mega logos depend on we are no where close in reaching ¼ of their revenue.

I even feel that the ip business will die a slow painful death

Sorry for being pessimistic, this whole AI BS is taking a toll on me

Like wtf are we even doing wrong, are we doomed ?

Are we on the right track even ?

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!

Replacing Visa and MC with a local alternative could hurt us majorly. And we all know it's not those on top who'll pay the price, but the rest of us. I've been so nervous about this since the news first came out.

Whenever we get a few weeks of peace, I still can't breathe properly. The anxiety is constant these days since I know what's coming eventually. This is not a healthy way to live.

I haven't heard any rumors in a while, which should be good but it's just making me nervous. Are we safe currently or is this just the calm before all he-l breaks loose?

Americans express high anxiety about job security. This concern persists despite a remarkably low unemployment rate. New Glassdoor research identifies artificial intelligence as the primary worry. Some companies, including Meta, Amazon, and Salesforce, have cited AI in recent layoffs. However, AI's overall impact on broad employment figures remains limited so far.

https://www.marketwatch.com/story/americans-are-as-worried-as-ever-about-layoffs-and-losing-their-jobs-why-so-much-angst-6503fb63

I think the downfall really started back in 2016, everyone I speak (ys staff) is negative and tells me to sell my stocks now. After 2016 the company became bloated and started its India Journey and reducing quality and costs (it worked!!). At the same time it became a D&I playground for LHBTQI folks and as white male you were almost shamed for who you are and LT got targets getting more minorities and females promoted.

Good luck all, the good ones (you?) will find a better place their is al lot going on, just not in oil and gas anymore.

Sharing my research results:

Upstream & Exploration: Implementing a 20% headcount reduction across exploration, subsurface, and well-engineering teams over Q2 and Q3 2026.
Regions: Heavily hitting main administrative and technical hubs in Houston (USA), The Hague (Netherlands), and London/Aberdeen (UK).

Downstream & Chemicals: Downsizing operational footprints throughout 2026 to contain cash bleeding following multi-billion dollar losses in base chemical segments.
Regions: Layoffs and scale-backs target older processing infrastructure in Rotterdam (Netherlands), Stanlow (UK), and Monaca (USA), following a complete exit from Singapore assets.

Global Business Operations: Consolidating corporate back-offices and shifting away from generalized administrative roles.
Regions: Shared-service hubs in Continental Europe are affected, including roughly 300 job cuts executed at the Kraków (Poland) center in June 2026.

Low Carbon Solutions: Personnel cuts are occurring dynamically throughout 2026 as renewable projects are deferred or canceled.
Regions: Impacting project engineering and corporate green teams primarily across Northwest Europe (e.g., matching the construction pause at the Rotterdam biofuels facility).

It is natural to feel anxious when restructuring threatens your security, but corporate changes cannot diminish your personal value or expertise. While you cannot control executive decisions, you can reclaim power by auditing your wins, refreshing your resume, and reaching out to your network. Lean on the solid foundation of skills you own; companies change, but your capability remains.

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.

I interned at Centene last summer into the fall which was my last semester of university. Feels like the entire world is unstable. I don't qualify for the VSP, but feeling so so anxious and depressed about the layoffs coming in August. I just started my career. However, I've been working to the bone for this company so far (I work in IT). I know most of you guys on this website are older and have much greater responsibilities (kids, mortgage, etc), but I can't help but feel like things are doomed.

This uncertainty is ki-ling me. Folks on this thread have talked about 13% of the workforce being RIF'd, multiple teams expected to be impacted and most of it being initiated today. Yet, not many have said a word about receiving that uncomfortable meeting invite. Just 1-2 people have confirmed getting it.

At what stage in this week can we breathe a sigh or relief? When will we know if we survived this round or not? Or were people simply trolling or exaggerating the numbers?

The uncertainty and anxious waiting period is worse than just knowing you're impacted!!

I'm exhausted from the constant worry. When can we finally relax? Will we ever again have some semblance of job security?

That's usually a good sign, but I can't help still being a bit anxious. Is there anything to worry about?

Anyone else got em? I think it's all gunna be okay, but can't help but to worry.

Tomorrow I’m logging into Gainwell, and honestly, I’m not happy before I even open my laptop. I’m just a regular worker, not some big-degree expert, just someone who learned by doing and is hanging on to this job because I have to and definitely not because the company makes me feel safe or valued. My boss is from Florida and she’s loaded - big house, fancy trips all the time, talking about “recharging” like the rest of us aren’t sitting here praying our name doesn’t end up on the next layoff list. When she says “we all have to tighten our belts,” I want to laugh, because if I get cut, I’m worrying about rent and food, and if she sc--ws up, she still has money stacked and options everywhere.

I see what’s going on in upper management. People are getting worked to the bone, jobs are being shipped off to cheaper places, and they slap the word “strategy” on it like that makes it smart instead of cruel. They sit in their meetings while people like me are burning out, stressed, and scared, wondering if today everything falls apart. Tomorrow I’ll still log in and do my job because I don’t have the luxury not to. My rich boss will be just fine no matter what happens at Gainwell. It’s people like me who get crushed when this place decides we’re just numbers on a spreadsheet.

I actually enjoy working here. The pay isn't incredible but it's fine. The work keeps me interested, and the people on my team make the day go by faster. So I'm genuinely worried about getting laid off. I don't want to start over. I don't want to leave this team. And yes, I know I'm in the minority, but that's my take.

I do not understand why this company would choose to send every department into a tailspin of nerves and anxiety for the next 2 months. Morale is completely gone and employees are paralyzed with fear. Who is actually working at this point? No one cares because we all know we may be next. Not to mention earning back the trust of employees after a stunt like this! Are YOU working or are you sitting in front of your computer shell shocked and unable to put one foot in front of the other? I feel that's like the spot most employees are in. Has anyone heard of any departments at this point that just might be ok? Are your people leaders saying anything?

13 years as a nurse and scared of the unknown. Afraid the final pay out will be leas than the “expected” amount. Want to know what the “agreement” states before hand. Praying for everyone!

I am fairly young and beginning my career, I’ve been with centene for 6 years and my VSP contract is not bad. I’m contemplating taking it and walking away but my only concern is that they do not even release my department. I have been through years of “we are rebuilding” and multiple job layoff scares. I have no idea what to do and it’s driving me crazy everyday since London crusty a-s sent that email.

Is it just me or are corporate and the shareholders launching a massive psychological warfare campaign against all of us? Think about it...They have put some odd 60k of us and our families on notice. On notice to find another job. On notice to cancel our summer family vacations. On notice to cancel any upcoming major purchases. On notice to cancel any summer moves out of the area while the kids are out of school. Etc...
Now we don't know how many of us will be laid off either voluntarily or involuntarily because they won't tell us that either. But, for the sake of argument, let's say that it will be 10k people total. That means that the other 50k people who will be left after the carnage on September 1st had all of their summer plans and purchases ruined for no reason at all. This is not to even mention the level of undue terrifying mental duress, financial problems, and family trouble this will cause for 50k people that had nothing to do with this layoff in the first place. And guess what? They aren't even going to tell us whether we are the ones that are "safe" or the ones on the chopping block until the first week of August.
I think we all need to start consulting with attorneys.

Ahhh, gotta love the glorious anticipation that we are all subjected to while expected to ignore it and keep working.

Not the first one of these I’ve been through here, but the angst is palpable.

Wish we had a date to prepare for.

The long awaited day is almost here. They have us walking on pins and needles all week.