Well, it’s official. We are mandating the use of MS Copilot, at least in my department. This at a time when operating costs remain at a deficit, morale is low, rumors abound, people are losing livelihoods, and revenue is circling the drain. As one of the World’s Most Ethical Companies, I am at a loss as to why we are being forced to adapt to an artificial source of truth (with no guardrails) all to improve efficiency. Is this push in alignment with VSP and other forms of reductions in force to “save money?” What’s next, a return to office mandate to weed even more people out (like those who cannot afford higher transportation or dependent care costs)? I thought CF cared about the communities it serves. Is it blind to the impact of AI on power grids, water resources, and infrastructure? Regardless of the answer, if I want to keep my job, I guess I’ll have to fall in line.
17 replies (most recent on top)
@sv They don't care if people quit. The job market is full of people looking for well paying jobs. In office or not. Take a chance. Quit and find out, then report back on how that remote job search is going.
Half my team would quit if return to work was mandated, so good luck with that. Or maybe that would be exactly the desired outcome.
I wish KS well but quite frankly the individuals in ELT have not been held accountable for their many bad decisions. For one having an underwriter in charge of sales is simply lunacy. Second having a Lawyer who has never really run a healthcare company is also senseless. I mean the id--t thinks Sales people should have MBA’s. He is an absolute fool!! SJ is just a bad person to his core and the producer leadership think he’s a fool. Too bad in the past they let the MD and DC plans merge. It was bound to fail. Good luck!
@dj another clueless drones comments. In general people love their jobs. They just don’t enjoy being led by gutless leadership. That said, where are the employee survey results. Right! When the truth hurts bury your heads in the sand. Every dog has its day and soon your beloved company will be on the news. All these issues are easily correctable. Get rid of the cancers at the top and you will see a massive improvement. Ask yourself what id--t would install a P & L model to a nonprofit. SMH
@j2 Not hostile, honest.
@ht Why are you so hostile?
@fd Well, let me know when you find the job that is remote. LOL. Have fun working at CF, the grass is greener on the outside.
@dj I’m going to assume you’re either very young and new to the work world or you’re in an HR position and drinking the koolaid AC left at your desk. I honestly think forcing copilot is silly…let’s give a Microsoft based AI application to PHI and financials when this company already is barely floating. And I’m not sure what type of job you actually have but no, most companies with strong Tech skills don’t have mist working in office. Could you imagine if CF fired all of the offshore people and IT out of staters? This place would be up for auction in a week. Yes it’s 2026…no longer need to hire based on DEI and can start hiring based on qualifications and firing based on performance.
@ee I’m in a role that essentially AI could take over. However…AI can’t fix what’s broken, and as you’ve said there’s barely enough staff knowledgeable to try to get newer and lower level staff up to bat. I’m not worried about my job for the near future one bit. I’m part of the 20+ years here and let’s just say it’s been a wild ride and now it’s comical to watch ELT talk a good talk. Just collect your paycheck and enjoy the show. You aren’t compensated for anything above minimum effort.
@dj Using Copilot and mandating its use are two different things. I took this CareFirst position after losing another in a mass layoff at another organization. It took several months of searching and I’m grateful to have been hired. However, training is lacking in the wake of VSP. I’m still trying to learn existing processes and tools; getting up to speed is a real challenge working remotely. I would welcome in-office work but I no longer own a car and can only use ride share to get to a CF office. I have no dependents but most everyone on my team does, and that is a factor along with the rising costs of everything else. Seen taxes, insurance, and utility costs lately?
So yeah, I’m deep into 2026 and my big girl pants are all the way on. I’m willing to learn and do whatever it takes to keep my job. The challenge is that I’m still relatively new, there’s a myriad of changes, and I happen to be female 55+ and likely already on the RIF list. What is the purpose of mandating AI when the company is $50MM underwater in operating costs other than to find ways to reduce staff? We become way more efficient, then what? Sure hope you’re prepared for unemployment, underemployment, or early retirement. I am not.
@OP Easy enough to have Copilot parse your emails once per week and ask for meeting summaries in Teams. Just do that, garner the real benefits there, and you won't make "the list". LLMs are inherently flawed and are not reliable for other work. Jobs aren't going anywhere long term. Big tech knows that so they are begging their clients to adopt as much as possible.
@dj Ok HR zealot, show me the updated pay scales for hiring local people to come into work in DC, Columbia, and Canton as opposed to what YOU have gotten away with in cheaper remote hires over the past 6 years
@dn And, the last place I would EVER work is HR. So, you're wrong there as well.
@dn The system where you're worried about having to get childcare when you are "forced" to go back in the office. Get a clue dum--ss.
@dj "Taking advantage of the system". What system? The system that keeps increasing costs so that you're damned if you do, damned if you don't? The system that keeps decreasing pay, taking away benefits, and then blames you when you can't afford child care to go to work? Quite literally go to he-l with that sh-t and welcome to 2026 where grocery prices and electricity bills have out paced raises and promotions. GTFO.
@dj LOL OK, HR. Must be nice to be so clueless.
Just about every company out there is using Copilot, CareFirst is no different than anyone else. And most companies are requiring in office work a minimum of 4 days/week. Finally, if you haven't been using childcare during the past 6 years you have been taking advantage of the system and getting away with it.
Put on your big boy/girl pants and do your job. Which most likely will mean using new technology and driving into the office. If you don't like that advice, go try to find a job that doesn't require both of these things. I believe you will be humbled very quickly.
Welcome to 2026.