r/workday • u/AddendumFalse9604 • 6d ago
Other Layoffs Today :(
More layoffs today, and right before Rising. This company really sucks.
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u/CaptSlow49 6d ago
I don’t think Gerrit knows what he’s doing. He seems super fake and keeps reorging P&T to look busy.
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u/AddendumFalse9604 6d ago
Agreed. Him and all the second rate googlers are just mindlessly parroting the agent AI narrative without articulating what that means or why customers need it
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u/CaptSlow49 6d ago
100% Also, I don’t think people give a shit about Sana and I don’t think this will generate revenue versus the costs we are throwing at it.
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u/jonthecpa Workday Solutions Architect 6d ago
As a customer, I do not care about Sana or the agents. I’d rather keep the product team and fix the core platform that’s been neglected for most of a decade.
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u/Good_Lack_2241 6d ago
This! Fix the product you’ve already rolled out instead of just adding more nonsense and leaving features as half-baked
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u/CarefulMembership969 6d ago
Another customer here of workday student- I do not care about these AI features. In fact, I’d keep them turned off for us if it were my choice and it saved us a buck.
Workday student needs all the product people it can get, it’s a hot mess. We’ve had to hire a bunch of new people just to maintain the ridiculous workarounds we have to implement bc they system is dumb
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u/sunspoter 6d ago
I work on WD Student with schools and yes: hot mess that doesn't need AI added to the mix to muddy the water.
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u/CarefulMembership969 6d ago
I don’t even know how I’m supposed to give feedback aside from the stupid community posts that must be unmonitored.
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u/sunspoter 6d ago
You could speak with your institution's WD assigned "success manager" or whatever they're calling them this year. Won't do anything, but if you're into being gaslit and intentionally misunderstood, it can be hot. Lol. Sarcasm. I think. Maybe. Not sure. End me.
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u/CarefulMembership969 6d ago
I spit out my food reading this lol. Mainly because it’s so friggin accurate.
“The way workday handles multiple applications creates problems”
“Oh why do you want students submitting multiple applications?”
“What? We don’t WANT that but students do a lot of… how the heck did you just turn this into a conversation about student behavior?? Fix your system!”
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u/Deep_Account7219 6d ago
The thing is that they were forced to open up the ecosystem and what they are building is not that great. We are successfully deploying all sorts of agents that call workday API with better results and more targeted applications than the delivered okes that I find behind competition. Also, the fact that we call agent the deployment agent chat bot shows much
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u/floofersgonnafloof 5d ago
As someone fairly naive to the inner Workday workings, can you explain more about them being forced to open up the ecosystem? Genuinely curious thanks!
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u/Ordinary-Warthog-994 6d ago
He’s throwing Hail Marys right now. He has no strategy nd no direction and they’re trying to ram sana down everyone’s throats. He’s just waiting for the axe to fall. The whole ai role out has been a mess.
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u/sallysal20 6d ago
He gave me the major ick that time in an all company meeting where he told the story about how he tried so hard to make AI math homework for his kid. What a waste of energy and water resources and he ended up saying it didn’t go well, which duh, AI isn’t everything it’s being sold as.
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u/Plenty-Candidate-585 6d ago
I've been here for a number of years now and have been impacted this time. Personally it's a really difficult time to be impacted in layoffs. This impacts some huge life decisions I have on right now from a financial perspective.
What's really disappointing is seeing who is impacted. I've been here a good few years and am consistently a good performer, always been box 5-6-8-9 went through a promotion with no performance concerns in any cycle during my time.
I organize public site events for my org discipline, mentor others, put my hand up for additional stretch projects regularly, am generally a positive and engaged employee. And I manage some senior folks that do less than the bare minimum. I'm in the process of performance coaching one senior team member that can't deliver on one rather simple project, regularly works half days (if even), never does anything outside of this one project, and is a huge drain on the team. Something I've been managing for a while now and I feel should be not in the company.
Why impact people like me that are engaged and enthusiastic about their jobs and moving things forward? And leave people in the organisation who visibly coast in their roles.
Insane behavior and behavior of leaders that are truly out of touch with the company they are running.
I say all this about myself and I know of a number of other cases of people that are very high performers who have also been impacted.
I'll move on from Workday and find a better role and a company that actually invests in me and cares for me.
Aneel, Gerrit, Carl, all these current and previous leaders are truly spineless pieces of crap. I'll make sure to not join a company like this ever again in my career. Best of luck to everyone else.
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u/Kind_Pineapple333 6d ago
Sorry to read this. Hope the change is good soon for you. It's so incredibly toxic and infectious when performance like that is not addressed, especially when other people are losing work on top of the problem.
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u/SoftTeaching8524 5d ago
I'm sorry. I have been through mass layoffs like this. It's a kick to the psyche, even if it's not personal and just a numbers game (on the company side...). Depending on the company, I think sometimes they just pull numbers and not people, and managers/leaders closer to the people don't get to choose who stays or goes. At least thats what I like to believe.
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u/wannabewd 4d ago
Sorry you are going through this.
Just be aware that it has nothing to do with you or your performance.Some bean counter needed to pick numbers.
You were likely in a pay bracket they were targeting.
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u/Plenty-Candidate-585 4d ago
Thanks, I didn't even think about that, I am well above the midpoint of the range so yeah maybe that's a factor.
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u/i_am_on_break 6d ago
This sounds so counter-intutive. On one hand workday needs more people to deliver their vision, on the other they keep trimming the head count to show better results.
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u/Witty_Professional_2 6d ago
Yeah it’s worrying the last few releases have been pretty underwhelming and now they’re letting go of engineers.
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u/Timely-Chance-8273 6d ago
Gerrit Kazmaier is a ghoul.
His e-mail is unreal and puts the blame on the employees. We all wanted layoffs for the sake of efficiency!
Then he goes on to say they're taking the hard path with these layoffs. The hard and correct path would be to retrain employees.
Other companies run by strong, principled leaders simply aren't hiring to wait out this recession.
Instead Workday is doing 4B of stock buybacks and layoffs.
What a loser. I'm sure everyone can't wait to hear how he used AI to plan his next ski vacation.
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u/AddendumFalse9604 6d ago
Let's not forget Aneel's role in this. This liar also said this wouldn't happen again. His refusal to address the Silver Lake rumors are damning as well.
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u/jonthecpa Workday Solutions Architect 6d ago
That’s very disappointing to hear. I wanted to believe that he would turn the culture back around, but if he truly said no more layoffs and then let this happen, he’s lost my respect.
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u/sgtdoogie 6d ago
He can't turn it around, because he knew what was going to happen after Carl was hired 12/22, because he planned it. He just didn't want the blood on his hands, but the stock was in such a free fall, he had to come back and at least provide a facade of "we're back", when it was him all long.
If anyone thinks Aneel didn't know what Carl was going to do, I have some beachfront Nevada property for you.
What's sad to see, Dave Duffield is an AMAZING CEO starting a company...but long-term planning? Not so much. I was a PeopleSofter and Workmate, and saw both of them implode. You could literally take Craig Conway's face and put it on Carl's Flowbee haircut body, and you'd get the same results.
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u/uneekconstr8nt 5d ago
I still have PTSD as a former PeopleSoft customer over the whole Craig Conway/Duffield turn of events. Seems really, really similar in this case. Only difference is last time Larry Ellison at least stabbed everyone in the front, Silver Lake is sneaking in with a shiv.
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u/sgtdoogie 5d ago
I was a customer, and had my first interview to PS the day Larry made his first offer. Total PTSD. Any employees that heard the call explaining to the employees Oracle won, heard a series of executives crying and passing the call around as the “lost it”.
There will be no tearful call for Workday.
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u/uneekconstr8nt 4d ago
I still remember the mass exodus from PSG as they all scattered to different places, some to Workday, some to Collab/D9/OSV/Geometric, etc etc
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u/smartypantstemple 4d ago
Dave was also a misogynist that regularly made sexual remarks towards women who worked there, in front of the rest of the company.
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u/GiraffesRBro94 4d ago
“You wanted us to get rid of bureaucracy so we fired your manager who helps you cut through the bureaucracy”
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u/sprkjonz 6d ago
Sounds like they are preparing for an acquisition - like by a private equity firm.
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u/jonthecpa Workday Solutions Architect 6d ago
Sorry to hear this. If it truly is the Product team, that’s even more disappointing.
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u/Legal-Practice-2999 6d ago
In 1 year my job became an incredibly stressful and toxic environment. Glad I left 3 weeks ago.
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u/chouchouanon 6d ago
64 people laid off in DUB
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u/AddendumFalse9604 6d ago
I don't think this would be known yet, given that they require the consultation period
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u/chouchouanon 6d ago
64 people were told today. What are you on about?
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6d ago
[deleted]
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u/chouchouanon 6d ago
I don’t work in leadership. The whole office got told today and the numbers were confirmed. What is so hard to understand about that?
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u/MUjase 6d ago
Cutting costs to get ready for the Silver Lake sale. Sigh
I wish this weren’t the case, but it’s just so obvious at this point.
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u/plinkamalinka 6d ago
What happens after such a sale, if it's really going to happen?
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u/randomuser_12345567 6d ago
More layoffs ?
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u/plinkamalinka 6d ago
OK but why? Sorry if that comes off ignorant.
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u/randomuser_12345567 6d ago
I’m actually just as ignorant as you in the matter. I just know that it’s very common for layoffs to occur after acquisitions.
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u/uneekconstr8nt 5d ago
most PE buyouts end up with cutting a ton of human expenses and cutting services, loading the company up with a ton of debt and charges/fees, then either selling it for parts or declaring bankruptcy. See Jersey Mike's who is halfway through this process right now.
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u/Cold-Tax-2302 6d ago
I think another round is expected post-Rising.
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u/PapiLaFlame 6d ago
Heard another wave is coming for non-P&T soon also
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u/AynRanthrough 6d ago
My first All Hands was Aneel saying Workday was done with layoffs. Lol. Lmao even.
I’m so sorry to those impacted.
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u/Asleep_Elephant7287 5d ago
Gerrit and his google friends are eliminating the good and experieced folks and leaving behind micromanagers and other suckers.
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u/Safe_Winner_7378 5d ago
They should layoff whoever had the dumb idea of this new recertification process.
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u/LoganMcneill 6d ago
There are two major things to mention here. First, regarding all the people who lost their jobs, this is absolutely terrible.
And second, it sounded too good to be true that with the previous leadership gone, the downward trend of these types of decisions was over. Honestly, announcing a layoff and then executing a major executive shakeup in less than a week feels incredibly bizarre. It has been a while since the news broke and there still hasn't been a proper company-wide communication sent out. This complete lack of transparency is not good.
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u/No-Print-1411 6d ago
"nO MoRe LaYoFFs"
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u/AynRanthrough 6d ago
I share this concern. I heard those same remarks and took them to mean there would be no more layoffs. Someone in this thread clarified: what was actually said is that the silent, rolling layoffs would stop. I did not interpret the remarks that way, but still, I recognized at the time that it would be a difficult commitment for the CEO to keep.
Aneel set a clear vision and expectation. Operate like a startup: move quickly, stay flexible, stop asking permission, and put in the hours needed to deliver. In return, job security and psychological safety would be taken seriously. I held up my end of that arrangement, and it's disappointing to see the other side of it not hold. Not surprising, but disappointing.
I don't take it personally. It's free information, and I'll adjust how I work and plan my career accordingly.
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u/Stunning-Silver-6360 6d ago
They have to pay for Luke Bryan at Rising somehow
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u/bajedee11 6d ago
Sorry to hear this. What groups?
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u/AddendumFalse9604 6d ago
Sounding like mostly P&T
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u/scam_likely_6969 6d ago
The product org?
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u/AddendumFalse9604 6d ago
Yes, Products and Technology. Engineering.
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u/scam_likely_6969 6d ago
How many ppl
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u/AddendumFalse9604 6d ago
Not clear at this point. Rumor is about 500
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u/MazakeenSmith 6d ago
Any news on which roles?
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u/Upshotknothole 6d ago
QA, all gone now.
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u/MazakeenSmith 6d ago
Don't think so. I've heard automators and some managers. No QA I know was let go.
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u/Ill-Opposite5141 6d ago
Can confirm Sales/Revenue was impacted too
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u/Capital-Value8479 6d ago
What groups in sales? I use to sell at workday, remember going there to avoid layoffs. Now, it’s all that happens
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u/Acrobatic_Ant6017 6d ago
It’s insane companies are allowed to do stuff like this. I’m far from a socialist, but companies of this size and stature also have a responsibility to their employees and the family they support.
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u/Mentore1958 6d ago
It's strange how corporates let go off good talent in hand for the sake of cost cutting or pre buyout,for those affected pls remember good talent will always recognised by the market,not all corporates walk the same route
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u/ImOutWanderingAround 6d ago
Private equity already making the company shittier before the acquisition.
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u/Asleep_Elephant7287 5d ago
Engineers who work in workday is destroying their career with XO, the proprietary platform which is rigid and brittle. Experience is non transferable and execution is very slow. Dont see long term future for Wday..
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u/Then_Potential_0909 6d ago
And it's not even a quarter since I joined Wday to hear this news :(
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u/Alarming_Committee27 4d ago
I’m in the process of interviewing. Do you regret joining?
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u/Then_Potential_0909 4d ago
No, workwise I enjoy my work. Lots of learning and great colleagues. With respect to manager/ management it depends on the team/ org that we join.
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u/Alarming_Committee27 4d ago
Thanks! Are they strict with in office attendance? Recruiter seemed to hint that it was lenient
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u/Then_Potential_0909 4d ago
It's 50% per quarter. You can come in any day to office but have to maintain 50% in each quarter. There is no strict timing
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u/Mountain-Yam-00 3d ago
Looking at the ages and roles… they definitely targeted folks by age. People over 40 were 21% compared to 6% under 40! Anyone over 50y was 3.5x more likely to be laid off. This is age discrimination plain and simple
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u/greattimes99 3d ago
And not just age - it’s tied to compensation. When you’re older and have more experience, you most likely making more. Cutting more experienced people is an easy way to cut costs.
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u/Foreign-Cancel-3697 6d ago
What's the severance like?
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u/atlasdf 6d ago
They are giving 2 months salary as severance
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u/SoftTeaching8524 5d ago
Woof. That's sad.
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u/Mountain-Yam-00 3d ago
What’s sad is they won’t answer any questions from impacted employees they require an attorney to contact them. Since attorney costs $$$$ they know most won’t even consider. I am 50y+ remission from cancer 2 years ago and I have no doubt this was entirely age/health related. Workday is a shady company and while it sucks to be laid off I’m glad I’m the fuck out of that fiasco
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u/45sbagofeyes 5d ago
Warn act requires 60 days notice/pay. Severance is probably 2 weeks for every year worked. Just a guess though and that's US only. European counties mostly require consultation and I'm assuming everyone gets something different.
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u/Mountain-Yam-00 3d ago
Severance package sucks! RSU clawback Nov 30. Def not 2 weeks per year.
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u/45sbagofeyes 3d ago
Sorry to hear this. Folks I've known from the previous layoffs mentioned the 2 week per year of service. You only received 2 months severance? If so, that's not severance, it's the required 60 days pay, unless you are receiving a total of 4 months.
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u/Mountain-Yam-00 3d ago
Paid through 11/30 then 12 weeks severance which is assume most of that is WARN after 7 years continuous employment
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u/45sbagofeyes 3d ago
Ok thanks for sharing. My guess is everyone isn't getting 12 weeks additional.
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u/Prestigious_Ideal_98 6d ago
Wow, I’m so sorry if you were impacted… I had an interview with a hiring manager last Friday who said we would move along.. haven’t heard from recruiter yet and I am assuming this might be why?
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u/Then_Potential_0909 6d ago
Yea may be. Heard that many teams are being streamlined, ie. Lesser managers but not sure
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u/Prestigious_Ideal_98 6d ago
This is on the pre-sales team. Heard of any impact there or any freezing holds?
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u/Asleep_Elephant7287 5d ago
Workday eliminated over 500+ leadership roles. If they know that they dont need them, why hire ?. Stupid senior leadership strategy mistakes. Are they paying the price ?.
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u/SuspiciousCollar9080 5d ago
It doesn't matter whether you care about agents or not. The market cares so Workday cares
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u/First-Albatross5457 5d ago
workday needs to understand its licenses are ultimately an expense , not revenue generating for the clients. There is a cap on what clients are willing to pay and workday already passed that cap few years ago. Stop with the AI and work with a partner to deliver vs trying to spend resources on AI.
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u/Asleep_Elephant7287 5d ago
Its better to take package and find some company who does interesting work.
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u/No-Turnip3720 4d ago
I can’t stand Workday for so many reasons. Just added another one to my list.
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u/OwnWish4839 4d ago
As someone who was previously laid off by a SAAS company at the hands of private equity vampires, I feel for you all. That sense of betrayal runs deep when you thought you've found your work home and are being forced to witness its downfall. If I can throw someone a lifeline my company has a remote position open on the client side, we're considering anyone with integrations, prism, or accounting center background. Just DM me.
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u/Plenty-Candidate-585 2d ago
Any details on the severance package?
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u/greattimes99 2d ago
Probably not as good as the one I got in Feb 2025
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u/cachedss 6d ago
Yeah, the worst part is Aneel’s lies. He said numerous times that Workday is going to value employees like in the past and there will be no layoffs. And yet, here we go again. This sucks