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Layoffs at Omnicom shops today?
Hi fishes,
Any guess how many people are laid off from Publicis sapient in past few days? Really scared for my future as I'm also under probation period and deeply regret for my choice of joining this firm...I don't understand why were they recruiting peeps when they were short of projects. Publicis Sapient
Soft layoffs at ProServe today ?
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Dress as the Grim Reaper and play it completely straight.
Y’all, I chickened out. I think there were some fun ideas thrown around here, thank you for those. In spite of what’s just happened, I still think the world values fun ideas. Happy Friday, cheap beers are on me.
Mentor
Don’t sign anything until you negotiate severance. Good luck out there.
Turn it into an ad for yourself.
At every turn speak to what you did for them and how you can't wait to do x and y for your next employer.
Have a tagline/catchphrase and repeat it relentlessly until the cheesiness becomes funny by brute ironic force.
Also call the HR goons by a different wrong name each and every time you address them, never repeat the same wrong name and stray ridiculously farther from the mark each time. If they call you out say "I'm sorry, I'm so bad remembering names of new people I just met."
The wrong name bit is hysterical lol
Lay them off
Pull out a reverse Uno card lol
Sorry you’re going through this. It’s never easy, but I love the energy you’re bringing to your exit plan. If you’re looking to make it memorable for you (and awkward for them), here are a few fun ideas to consider.
Dress as a referee and say, “After reviewing the play, I’m calling unnecessary roughness on this layoff!”
Have a stack of resumes or papers ready. dramatically flip through them, saying, “Looks like I’m prepared for this.”
Have a pre-packed box with items labeled "Broken Dreams" or "Corporate Loyalty."
Pull out a party popper and say, “Let’s celebrate new beginnings!”
Use a virtual background of the company’s logo with a red stamp over it that says “Laid Off Club – Lifetime Member.”
Start with: “Before we begin, I’ve always wanted to say this: ‘Due to unforeseen circumstances, we regret to inform you that this relationship is no longer beneficial to me either.’”
Ask them, “What’s your favorite part about layoffs? Is it the awkward silence or the chance to meet new people like me?” End the call with, “I think we both learned a lot today. Best of luck to you in your career!”
Play dramatic background music like “The Final Countdown” or “Hit the Road Jack” softly as they speak.
Conclude with, “Well, this has been a truly unique experience. Here’s to a brighter future… for me!”
Mentor
Love the attitude. Following
Freeze on screen, go shirtless, tell them to please unmute the whole time, take the call in your bathroom on the toilet. God speed.
Telling them they're on mute the whole time is so good
HR you’ve never met before? Have a friend come over and take the call, record it. Let them they go through their entire spiel, then have him say “I just have one question… how can you lay me off when I don’t even work for your company? Do you not know what Josh looks like?”
Capture the whole thing, post to social media.
First of all: I'm so sorry to hear this, condolences and solidarity!
Can you get someone to be your emotional support person in that meeting? I heard of someone who did this with a layoff and brought in a professional clown, though it's probably too short notice to do that. For an easier route, can you change your background? Maybe it's a picture of your usual room but upside down, and you wear your clothes backwards as well.
That said, I don't think the HR people will appreciate the humor, so maybe that energy is better spent on a really kickass goodbye email to your colleagues. Best of luck, you got this!!
I’ve heard of the emotional support clown! It’s what has inspired me to view this as a creative opportunity.
Next time, if you get a bit more lead time, maybe book a string quartet to do End of the Road by Boyz II Men or Wonderwall or something.
A beach bro with a guitar playing Wonderwall 🤣
Two words: Air horn.
Ask if they’re hiring.
This was a pretty great story of someone interviewing for his old job after getting fired: https://www.instagram.com/p/C9M5VQjxNiO/?igsh=NTc4MTIwNjQ2YQ==
Same as a graphic designer.. :)