Thread regarding Centene Corp. layoffs

I took the VSP for a couple of reasons. Our contract with the state maybe ending next summer and fighting it won't guarantee it will be awarded. And if a company is saying they will layoff anyway why wouldn't I take it. The VSP was the best offer that will be made. In my state I can get unemployment because this is considered a layoff not a separation. Because the company is laying off as a whole.

@q8 Some states will approve unemployment if the company made it known that there would be layoffs after the VSP (and they did make it very clear in writing & on video). Luckily, I am in one of those states.

@cr I wish you the best in your new role. I’m sorry there was low morale. I wish all the teams could be same as mine. I am OP by the way

@q7 ok…? 😜

@cn you’re a dum--ss. You really are. You have no plan for the long run. You quit. You’re not getting unemployment. Don’t come crawling back

@cx ok wish you the best of luck. Hope that job does not burn you out in 4 years. Good luck with a career. Not OP

@cn how will you get unemployment benefits with VSP? You’re voluntarily leaving the company.

@aj you’ll be broke by December. Don’t come crawling back

@cj if it’s cheaper there why have you not already moved?

@ca I have a job and you don’t 👢 👅

@aj OP here… Wild of you to assume I assumed that ;)

@ag but what makes you think that won’t be the case at a new company?

The company runs like a pretty standard healthcare corporate machine. Since I work from home, I usually just put my head down, do my assignments, and log off. I don't really know the C-suite or follow the company politics/town halls, so I can't really judge the bigger picture.
My immediate team and manager are cool, but honestly, I'm just burned out. I usually hit the four-year itch at jobs anyway, so it's time to move on. I'm already in the process of interviewing and looking for the next thing!

I liked my job at Centene but I took the VSP due to the low morale. I got hired on with another company & was able to negotiate a start date. VSP & my savings will hold me over until I start my new job. Peace out!

“all good things must come to an end.” A year ago, I took on my current role knowing that structural shifts across healthcare companies might put it at risk. That time has come, and my role is being phased out nationwide. I had no choice but to accept VSP. I will be taking some time to recharge using my savings, followed by transitioning to unemployment benefits as I plan my next steps.

@aj wild assumption to think that OP POV isn't the majority reality.

@ca being smart enough to realize the money only lasts so long isnt bootnlicking it's called being mature enough to realize facts. Get fked. Some of us have not been able to even find another job since this started pushy whipped dck munch.

Centene was okay, just a paycheck. I'm burned out from healthcare and need a break, so I'll live on savings and work part-time at a local spot. I'm also thinking of moving to Thailand for cheaper living, & finally become a minimalist.

I took the VSP with no job line up. My VSP will hold me until I can find another job in 3-6 months. Until then my spouse will be holding it down, as they always been the bread winner in our family anyway. I work at Centene call center. I just don’t like call center type of work anymore. Trying to look into a different type of career or go back to school. Best wishes!

I accepted the VSP for a few reasons. I have been layed off in healthcare and it was not something I cared to go through again. With the direction I saw the company going in I didn't feel there was opportunity for me to move up or to another position. Also the recent change in the metrics are difficult to meet. When that changed for no reason I knew the company was looking for ways to get rid of employees.

@OP

🥾👅

After 18 years at Centene, I have decided to accept the VSP. I have genuinely loved my job, my coworkers, my supervisors, and the compensation. While I've seen many changes over the years—some great and some not my favorite—my departure isn't about frustration.
Instead, it is an investment in myself and a step toward personal freedom. I plan to take a year-long break to focus on my health and fitness at the gym.
Over the last couple of years, I’ve invested in classes and developed a successful daily and weekly day-trading strategy. If my trading continues to do well, I may transition into this full-time rather than returning to a traditional job. Not everyone leaves Centene with bad feelings; for me, this is simply an exciting new chapter.

After 15 years I’m done with Corporate America at Centene. The VSP package was very generous, and I’m fortunate to be in a financial situation to accept it. Totally fine with being a worker bee, and already have a job willing to scoop me up quickly. Wild assumption to think that everyone liked their job at Centene and can’t afford to not work for awhile ;)

This is the 3rd time with this company with possible layoffs with just a severance and was lucky the other 2 times I moved within the company, but now it’s time to move one to avoid another one!

Those that accepted the VSP but have no other source of income or support are probably the exception. There's plenty of people that work for centene with side jobs or spouses that can hold them over. If I had a job lined up, I would've happily took it. The ones that have other income or job lined up and was able to leave September 4th are the lucky ones. My experience at Centene overall has been good but there is no longer job security in the long term for anyone. It is highly stressful and will only get worse after the layoffs. Whether you took the vsp or not, you should be applying out to see what your options are. This is not the same company it use to be.

My thinking is after accepting the VSP better to have a little something then get RIF’D with nothing. BUT now that my date is 08/27 I could care less with any of it! They can just let me go at this point! No money really now is worth it, and no regrets!

@OP That is a great question, and it is something I have been wondering about as well. I imagine some individuals have a spouse’s income to fall back on while they transition to part-time work or look for something new. On a related note, I have been curious about why some people seem to regret taking the VSP (Voluntary Separation Program). I know a few coworkers who are experiencing some regret now. I am not close enough to them to know if they have alternative roles lined up, but since most of them are nurses, they likely won't have any trouble finding new opportunities. What do you think drives that regret?

It's a tough choice. VSP now with "enhanced severance" or risk getting caught in a RIF with uncertain severance. Add in that the OBBB provisions kick into high gear, projected loss of govt. funds and membership will likely mean another RIF in Q1 or Q2 2027.

With the current state of the government, publicly funded health care may take years to regain funding, so this trend is likely to keep getting worse. Once tenured people leave, you have major losses in operational knowledge and mixed with a reduced labor force, those that remain will work harder for less.

For me, it felt like they were actively preying on people's loyalty and/or fear, and the longer that you tried to stay, the more that they would use you up and cut you as soon as they could justify using AI or outsourcing your role.

I have no job lined up. It may take 6-12 months to find something permanent. Remote is fine, but not a priority for me. Thankfully, I can stretch my package for up to 2 years when supplemented by part time work. I choose to put my fate in my own hands rather than the company's.

@a5 “I don't know that it's necessary to understand everyone's motivation, just your own”

Yes and I was clear that I was just genuinely curious. If you don’t want to share you don’t have to share. Good luck to you as well

@OP I do not have anything lined up. Centene has become the most toxic place I've ever worked. Working remotely is no longer worth the amount of stress that has been placed on Case Managers. I have had 4 PL in 4 years on 4 different teams. My current PL is an extreme micromanager. Metrics are unrealistic. No work/life balance anymore. And there was NO relief in sight. Mgmt does not care bc they don't do the actual work. I was delighted to be offered a way out & not blindsided by an unexpected layoff. I've been blindsided by a layoff 2x before in my 30+ year nursing career. Hope that gives you a little perspective. I understand your perspective also. Good luck to you!!

I'll answer. These are a lot of questions!

1. Do you have another job lined up? If not, why would you take it? How long do you think it will take you to get another job? Are you okay with it not being remote?

No, I don't have another job lined up. I accepted the VSP because I think Centene either plans to eliminate my position or they don't. I don't think it's tied to whether or not I apply for the VSP. I'd rather have the option with higher compensation. I know I can get another job. I've had one screening that went well, so we'll see. I am okay with it being hybrid or part-time in-office.

1. How do you feel regarding the fact that the amount you’re shown will be taxed? How long do you think it will last? All income is taxed, so I don't have a problem with that. Companies sometimes tax severance at a higher rate, but the IRS doesn't, so you'll get that money back or owe less at tax time. Of course, you're without it in the meantime.

2. I think it will last 4 months. I also have two side gigs, so I won't be totally without income.

Everyone has their own experience with Centene, their own life history, and their own reasons. It's a personal choice. I don't know that it's necessary to understand everyone's motivation, just your own.

I didn’t take it but I’m chiming in. I wanted to post something similar to this but people seem so angry so since you posted it I am sharing some things.

In the span of 4 days I went through the 5 stages of grief of finding out a good teammate took the offer. What’s funny is a couple of years ago I had mentioned that one of my friends hit a $28k jackpot. I remember them saying wow that’s nice, not enough to quit their day job over and i remember thinking yes but man it would be awesome to get it. And here they are… quitting their day job over an amount not all that far from that range.

I don’t wish anything bad on anyone. This person doesn’t know what they’ll do but they think it’s enough to hold them over. In this economy…. Jobs like ours aren’t that easy to find. I do pray they find one. But at the same time it’s such a slap in the face to feel like a good teammate is just taking the money and running with no plan. I truly don’t think they ever had anything to worry about with being laid off.

At the end of the day all you can do is be glad those who didn’t pull their weight are leaving and pray the good ones leaving without a plan find a way to be happy somewhere else. Looking at it in a positive light, I am the most qualified candidate to fill their role and take a promotion I think I’ll go for if it opens. If not, I’m happy and thankful to have the remote flexibility I have right now. Take a deep breath and prepare to take on the extra work load and know I don’t have to put myself out there in an already over saturated job market.

I truly do wish everyone the best.