Thread regarding Centene Corp. layoffs

Career Decision

Looking for others perspective.

I’ve been with my centene ~8 years. Enjoy my team and PL but I’ve also become burned out/stagnant, tired of feeling undervalued compensation wise, and anxious about the layoffs. Luckily my team is safe after I mass applied to other places.

I have an offer for a state role paying ~$5k less. It’s hybrid, but comes with a pension and potentially better long-term benefits/career stability.

The catch: I’m starting about 4 months before my first baby arrives and wont be eligible for the company paternity leave.

Would you stay for the short-term flexibility/paternity leave, or take the new job and accept a potentially rough first few months for better long-term benefits?


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| 33 views | | 22 replies (last 8 days ago) | Reply
Post ID: @OP+1m0esvjwr

22 replies (most recent on top)

Take the new job. Good luck.

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Post ID: @pw+1m0esvjwr

I’d take the state job immediately

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Post ID: @nk+1m0esvjwr

@ef I totally agree with this. For many, taking SSI earlier than expected and taking a slight reduced payment hit, is something to consider.

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Post ID: @he+1m0esvjwr

@ef Exactly. I have no chive but to sign up at 66 now that I have no job and no income.

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Post ID: @h9+1m0esvjwr

@cp Ty for this info did not know this and will look into

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Post ID: @h5+1m0esvjwr

I had a baby before maternity leave was a thing and the baby turned out fine, so did I.

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Post ID: @eg+1m0esvjwr

@ec There's a lot of math involved, so check for yourself, but when you consider taking social security at 62 vs 67 vs 70, while delaying can lead to higher total lifetime benefits, the greater monthly payouts don't catch up to the extra years of payments until around age 82. It varies a bit depending on exactly when you take the payout and if you are still working. But when US life expectancy sitting at 79 years, taking as early as possible may be the better option for many.

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Post ID: @ef+1m0esvjwr

@cx

The good thing about your being 63 is, you can collect Social Security now.
That alone, or along with a nice little part time job which you truly enjoy doing could be enough for you to get by on...without having to deal with all of this BS.

Once you reach a certain age, other options open up to you...some surprisingly doable!

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Post ID: @ec+1m0esvjwr

I would take the new job. No questions. Regardless of the future of CNC, it feels like a job with the state would be better.

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Post ID: @dm+1m0esvjwr

Take the state job. Centene is very unstable and you get no pension. Good luck!!!

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Post ID: @dg+1m0esvjwr

@cx I can not believe you guys were not cut and if not you will be next. I am also in this age group and I was RIFd. I am terrified I won’t get a job. I don’t know what I will do. I was good at my job and worked hard. I’m unbelievably depressed. 😔

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Post ID: @dd+1m0esvjwr

@OP That’s tough. What does your guy say ? It’s never wrong. Told me I was going to lose my job exactly when I did despite my PL telling me to my face we were safe. The VP did say all were on the block. Anyhow, never trust these people. What if the next round gets you ? Just saying. Trust how you feel. Obviously you are looking and have an offer.

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Post ID: @dc+1m0esvjwr

I want to apply elsewhere. I have been with Centene 11 years. The stress is tremendous. My concern is I am 63 and I am afraid I won't be able to find a job elsewhere.
There is no transparency whatsoever. My department no longer even exists. Everyday we just wait for work. We have not been told what we will be doing. This has been going on for a couple of months.

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Post ID: @cx+1m0esvjwr

@OP once in the new job even after baby is born when around 8 months old you can take paternity leave as child is still under 1 yr old and now would qualify. It’s calling bonding time !!! Take the new job and look into this. Bonding leave is also available during the first year you adopt a child

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Post ID: @cp+1m0esvjwr

Hard decision since you are the one that actually has to do it. I would go for the better deal with the new job. This has a very limited shelf life at best and there are too many unknowns. Best wishes!

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Post ID: @bw+1m0esvjwr

Take the state job!
This is a GIFT you are being offered, so TAKE IT.

Sure, in a perfect world, you'd want to be able to take the paternity leave this time around, but look at the larger picture: with this steady of a job situation (not to mention the security of a pension/state healthcare for the future), you and your partner can enjoy your paternity benefit in the future if you should decide to expand your family with more children.

Saying YES to this opportunity would be really advantageous to you and your family both now and in the long term, so don't even hesitate in taking the state job. This is an excellent opportunity, which you would certainly regret later, in not taking it. So TAKE IT!

Congrats on the new baby, and may your family continue to be blessed.
: )

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Post ID: @bt+1m0esvjwr

I left the company recently and also took a state job and have no regrets (even with a much bigger cut in salary). Mentally, the stress has been reduced significantly. However, I didn’t have the difficult decision to consider paternity leave; that’s a tough call. Outside of that major consideration, I’d say take the leap of faith and trust that you’ll land at a better place. Good luck to you!

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Post ID: @bp+1m0esvjwr

I’ve been a loyal high producing employee for over 15 years . The one thing I’m coming away with, considering how Centene has handled my company that it acquired … is that I SHOULD HAVE taken a state job when it was offered to me years ago .
My friends are retiring early securely, with great pensions and locked in medicare plans that are far far better than anything the commercial market has to offer .
We are just sitting here wondering if we are going to survive the next cut.

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Post ID: @bm+1m0esvjwr

The long term benefits of the pension will be what you and your family need. Take the job. Good luck.

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Post ID: @be+1m0esvjwr

I would 100% recommend the state job. I was lucky enough to do the same, and my only regret was not doing it much earlier in my career. The benefits are fantastic, and after only 11 years, my pension will rival SS. Centene continually cuts people, just because you are safe now, means nothing in 3 months. I was with Centene for 10 years and they layed me off.

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Post ID: @ay+1m0esvjwr

I would take the state job in a heartbeat. A pension is a rare thing nowadays. The job stability is also something you may never have again at Centene. I suspect you may find the stress level is lower there as well.

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Post ID: @ab+1m0esvjwr

I would do what’s best for you and your partner. I’m taking the VSP and the biggest thing I’m going to miss is the flexibility of WFH full time. I’m personally reluctant at the hybrid schedule, because at any given moment the employer can mandate full time in person. I was able to raise my 2 kids and be a more present mom/wife with WFH. I’m just a stranger on the internet, but if I were you I’d stay until the baby is a bit older :)

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Post ID: @a7+1m0esvjwr

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