My company recently acquired another company, and shortly thereafter, laid off 30% of our workforce.

30 Comments

1. Joan Williams, Senior Talent Acquisition SpecialistJune 13,2023 at 5:44AM UTC

   OR you could decide not to be unhappy any longer than necessary and fire up that resume and start your job search while you still have a job.

   It's a difficult market out there - sometimes depending on what space you're in - and it can take a long time to find a new position. Are you in a financial position to have a long term nest egg?

   YOU SAID: "staying could help me build resilience, agility, and be a great resume talk track for the future"

   AND: "if I walk away now, would I - and probably others - just end up seeing myself as a failure for "giving up")?"

   I'm not trying to be mean here, but PLEASE help me understand this thinking.

   What, specifically, does "be a great resume talk track for the future" mean? Are you going to discuss in an interview how unhappy you are in your current position? Are you going to talk about how you stayed at a company that was treating you poorly? Because it's generally considered poor form to speak negatively about the company you're looking to leave, so what are you talking about there?

   Choosing to not subject yourself to more stress is not "giving up". You don't get extra points in life for suffering. Being proactive and choosing to find a better job is not giving up.

   I re-read your post - I don't see you saying one good thing about the company or your job. Being unhappy is, for the most part, a choice. Please choose yourself. Choose to be happy. If you need permission to make a change, you've got it.

   Again, I am not trying to be mean here - I am really trying to understand this line of thinking.

2. AnonymousJune 13,2023 at 2:24PM UTC

   I would strongly advise that you look for another position while you have a job. I was laid off five months ago when my company was acquired. I am an older worker (60+) and cannot afford to retire. I will soon run out of unemployment, and my job search has not yielded much. While you are working, make a plan, sock back money and search for a new opportunity.

   Rather than framing your situation as "giving up," think of it as an opportunity to potentially make a positive impact in your life. I've worked for many years and concluded that no job is worth damaging your physical or mental health. Best of luck.

3. AnonymousJune 14,2023 at 12:08PM UTC

   By all means, do not quit without having another job lined up. I've often said in times of restructuring and downsizing, I'm not sure who I feel sorrier for --- the people layed off or the people left behind who have to take up all the slack/extra work of those who are gone. Stick it out for a bit but keep your eyes open for new opportunities.

4. Joycelyn M. SiameJune 14,2023 at 12:20PM UTC

   Please go for the 3rd option. I don't know what industry you work in, but times are tough finding suitable jobs in different industries. Please don't leave somewhere without a job lined up because that will hurt you financially and mentally in the long run. For me, at every job, I give myself a 3 month review to see how I am feeling where I am at, and weigh the pros and cons. If I come to the conclusion that I am ready to find something else, I strategize and start looking for employment elsewhere, while still having a job. I hope this helps!

5. GirlBossanova934974June 14,2023 at 12:48PM UTC

   How about the FOURTH option, which you have not listed? Stay at your current job while you are out there sending out resumes and network left, right, and center to get out of the mess which you now find yourself in? Update your LInkedIn profile. Prospect career sites of companies that are your industry etc.. There are many good jobs out there. I have been through a merger like this in the past. SOME GENIUS TYPE in Finance breaks out their magic calculator and figures out the way to make the merger work is slash XYZ % of the workforce and everything will be just great after a few months when the dust settles. Of course, the GENIUS TYPES are usually the first ones out the door and on their way to a new better paying job if things don't go well. The fact is that these slash and burn tactics fail more than half the time. The company is left with a shell of workforce and then customers are lost and revenue craters. Best to get out now and get those resumes going and those career networking meetings on the FRONT BURNER.

6. Goalsetter498760June 14,2023 at 12:56PM UTC

   The scenario you laid out is *exactly* what's happening at my current job. And what you've said is exactly what I'm doing.

7. AnonymousJune 14,2023 at 12:52PM UTC

   Start looking for a new job, and set a deadline. If you're already concerned about the impacts you anticipate it having on your health, there's no point in waiting to look. It doesn't mean that you have to leave, but it gives you options if you choose to do so.

8. AnonymousJune 14,2023 at 1:05PM UTC

   in 2018 my company was acquired. Onboarding and training was terrible and the cultures were quite different. I stayed almost 2 years and was pretty miserable the entire time. After I left the company was then acquired by another behemoth... and virtually everyone from my original company as well as the second has left. From a corporate mergers perspective maybe the acquisitions looked goo (and I'm sure someone made money) but the effect on the worker was terrible. The current company bears no resemblance to the original or even the second in any way.

   my advice, stick around and see how it shakes out and then make a move.

9. AnonymousJune 14,2023 at 1:11PM UTC

   Take advantage of your EAP resources if available. These companies know how difficult it is to output the same amount of work with fewer people. Try to display a positive attitude and dust off your resume. It really is easier to get a job when you have a job. I’ve been with a company that acquires other companies so my experience is different. At the end of the day we all had to adjust to a new way of working

10. Paula BrantnerJune 14,2023 at 1:12PM UTC

    Yes, I've been there, and I saw Option 1 as a badge of honor, so I kept going. It did harm my mental and physical health, and it did help build resilience and agility. It's not necessarily a binary choice. It's also not one I can recommend.

    Of what you've listed, I think Option 2 is the best one, if you have the means to do so (I didn't at the time, I had to have *something* at all times.) With Option 3, you'll find the definition of "improvement" will hold you in place for a long time. Maybe it will get a little better, but probably not enough to make the answer any more clear than it is right now.

    With Option 2, I don't think that anyone else will see you as a failure for walking away: the conditions of your job have changed materially, which is obvious for everyone to see. The mental break will be tremendous. And you'll be taking care of *yourself,* which is so important. That cannot and should not ever be defined as "failure," regardless of an employer's interest in having you see it that way, putting up with a bad situation just to satisfy employers.

11. Claire McCabeJune 14,2023 at 1:45PM UTC

    How about an option you haven't mentioned yet? Start looking for another job while you still have a job. No one will blame you!

12. Cher GoodchildJune 14,2023 at 2:26PM UTC

    When this happened to me, I expressed my concerns about the massive workload and the "uppers" made lots of promises and asked me to stay. We had a long conversation. So I wrote down all of the promises and asked them to sign it. Crickets. No one spoke to me for like two weeks, so I put in my notice.

    I think you should always try to work it out first. But I am a firm believer in backup plans. I would never leave a job without a secure transition on-the-ready.

    Try to calm your inner insecurities. Like... "I get paid for XX hours, whatever happens in those hours is what it is." You're one person. You will do your best. If it's unmanageable, make a list of steps to move on and knock them out one at a time.

    Here's what's true: Everything is going to be okay. Somehow, it always works out. When things seem the scariest some random awesome opportunity, or call, or offer will drop right out of the sky! That's how the universe works!

13. AnonymousJune 14,2023 at 8:40PM UTC

    Not the OP yet must say I love this answer!

14. AnonymousJune 14,2023 at 2:30PM UTC

    Yes I have been in companies that have gone through Mergers, acquisitions and layoffs. Its always a lot of uncertainty and change and try to just go with the flow for now as there is always alot of chaos and restructuring when this happens.As the job market is tough at the moment I would recommend looking for a new role before you quit. While there try to set healthy boundaries like switching off from work, getting in lots of relax time, selfcare, hobbies. and also speaking to a counsellor helps. There are however lots of contract work around so may this could be an option if you do want to leave asap but gives you time to find next role (this happened to me I left before being laid off) 6 months in to contract role and I am still applying for roles have interviewed but its a tough market! when I was laid off before i was in a new role in 3 months. this year seems to be alot different due to the amount of people job seeking due to all the layoffs. I am seeing improvement in the number of jobs being posted though so things are looking up! good luck and hope you can find a new role very soon

15. Mary LetiziJune 14,2023 at 4:38PM UTC

    Definitely see how things go be jumping ship. Also, if you do leave make, sure you have another job on the hook. It's a lot harder to get another job if not already employed.

16. Megan LeasherJune 14,2023 at 3:17PM UTC

    I always recommend to see how the dust settles first before bolting. Sometimes you can be surprised in a good way.

17. Clay76June 14,2023 at 5:56PM UTC

    I have recently walked away from a company that merged partly for my mental health. I had seen the actions of leadership over the previous years and saw how they handled workload, hiring/promoting practices and basic communication and knew that with the people left in place the merge would not have a positive result for me and my health. I suggest you weigh what you know of your company and hopefully you will be able to make the best decision for yourself.

18. Ellyn Specker CharapJune 14,2023 at 6:06PM UTC

    Based on a few things you said about your tendency to see yourself negatively, I would go with your third option. See what you can do to help repair the situation, and if your advice is unheard, leave.

    I'd suggest to the new C-Suite that they hire team organization specialists (not team builders who play games with groups; I'm talking about someone who follows Susan Wheelan's approach to team organization). The team organization specialist can help C-Suite organize more appropriately, to do more with less. If they do not listen to your suggestion, then you leave.

    You could also come up with meaningful SOPs and promote them. If C-Suite doesn't listen, leave.

    These two above examples (just two - I'm sure everyone else here can think of more!) do what you need. You need to save yourself, but you need to feel justified in your decision to walk. Just waiting for change and then leaving if you don't see one might not put your mind at ease, but attempting to contribute positively can help you feel like you have done everything you can.

    I hope this helps!

19. AnonymousJune 14,2023 at 8:01PM UTC

    Option 3. But, spend time asking a lot of questions now. Be thoughtful first by writing out what you need to have from your work situation. For a short period of time there will be stressors because change is hard no matter why but it is good for you and additionally as a valued employee you can should you decide to look for work say that you chose to stay to give things a chance. Don't quit without a job and balance out things in your outside of work hours to de-stress you and help you to get through. If there are total roadblocks that make it impossible, speak to your manager about how to tackle them together. Don't overwork now, and don't just start doing 80 hour weeks because there are less people. Good luck, hang in there things will probably take ~120 days to settle down and hopefully there is a good M&A person there to field questions, if not find your HRBP and sit down with them.

20. AnonymousJune 14,2023 at 8:46PM UTC

    Everyone's situation is very different. If you can manage it financially, and you can overcome the issue of seeing yourself as a failure for not staying to see how things go, and feel you need a mental break I would opt to leave.

    If on the other hand, you can mentally go through the transition and see things through and not further damage your spirit then stay, keep your finances afloat while you seek your next job.

    I would keep in mind that tge current job market is pretty rough so keep that in mind as you consider the financial and mental toll job searching will be in the near future.

21. AnonymousJune 14,2023 at 9:49PM UTC

    Why are the thoughts of others fueling your feelings? Are you a failure? I don't know you but I would have to say NO you're not a failure! Focus on yourself and not what others think. Try to take/make mental breaks on your days off. Advocate for yourself, let your boss know what is going on, so that they can help if possible. Maybe look into counseling, having someone other than family to talk to sometimes helps. I wish you the best of luck.

22. AnonymousJune 15,2023 at 4:19AM UTC

    The most important thing is your well being. You've pretty much answered your question when you wrote "the consequences of which could cause further harm to my mental and physical health" No job is worth your health.

23. AnonymousJune 15,2023 at 12:25PM UTC

    I have experience with this firsthand. The company I work at has been bought and sold two times. I have seen a reduction in force multiple times over the past six years. I too thought I would stay and see how things played out. The work environment at my company is very toxic now and has played a major role in the breakdown of my mental and physical health. I am currently on a long-term medical leave due to mental health reasons. I would recommend looking for other employment while you are still there. Better yet if you can afford to leave then leave but keep in mind that when looking for another job, hiring managers raise an eyebrow at gaps in a resume between jobs.

24. Amy GeffenJune 15,2023 at 12:32PM UTC

    If you can stand it, stay and start looking for another job now. IT will be easier to get hired by another company if you are still working. If things get too stressful then you will have to walk away.

25. AnonymousJune 15,2023 at 12:54PM UTC

    Has anyone at all brought this up to the people in charge? Are they aware that the new structure is not working well?

26. AnonymousJune 15,2023 at 12:58PM UTC

    Im going thru this myself now. Upper mgmt doesn't care about anything but their agenda. U have no way of knowing what the acquisition terms were (i.e. company X employees will be given priority for promotion opportunities).

27. Kim GalembaJune 15,2023 at 1:49PM UTC

    I agree with A.G. Update your resume and start looking for another job. I had this happen to me but was laid off. Either way it affects your and your work/life.

28. Tammy DirksenJune 15,2023 at 2:05PM UTC

    All the advice below is spot on been through this myself multiple times and foresee it happening again as that is the nature of Silicon Valley. Do not just up and quit, find something to move onto first the market is going to be volatile for at least another 6 quarters. Find a therapist to keep your mental well being even those 30 minute app sessions that come with a lot of medical insurance these days or offered hopefully through your company is very helpful. Hang in there and remember to not be so hard on yourself, we are all works in process ;)

29. AnonymousJune 17,2023 at 12:32AM UTC

    I was part of a company that was acquired a few years ago. Staying was stressful and difficult because most of my coworkers left. My workload was already heavy before the merger and it became even more so after the merger. We also had all these new procedures and training.

    I was at a point where I felt I needed to leave for my own sanity. I updated my resume and started putting out feelers, but I ultimately decided to stay. I’m very glad I stuck it out through the horrible transition period because things improved. I have many nice new coworkers. The company gave me a significant raise and my workload is much more manageable.

    I don’t know what is best for you, but I wanted to share my experience because I’m in a much better place than I was a couple years ago.

30. AnonymousJune 20,2023 at 9:17PM UTC

    Ever since the pandemic my job finding strategies have changed and have become more challenging. Are company's truly hiring because right now it feels like it's just a job hunting give out all of your information with nothing in return, game.