A recently laid-off product manager from General Motors wrote in his LinkedIn posts, “We were all used as stepping stones to build exceptional products, industry-first tech, and leapfrog our competitors.” He added, “All for what? A pat on the back and “good job!””
The prominent automotive manufacturer recently let go of over 1,000 employees. This move is part of a broader strategy to streamline operations and enhance efficiency. In a statement to CNBC, the company explained, "As we build GM's future, we must simplify for speed and excellence, make bold choices, and prioritise the investments that will have the greatest impact."
After the layoffs, several employees came forward to share their experiences on different social media platforms. “What a difference a year makes! This time last year, I was invited to the Warren Tech Centre along with others on my team to meet with Mark Reuss (President of GM) for our work on the then new, Corvette ERay,” wrote a fired employee on LinkedIn.
He added: “Fast forward to yesterday, when over 1200 people were let go without warning and it all seems so unreal.”
Talking about how working at GM was his dream job, he wrote, “I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again, working for GM was a dream job - something I wanted to do since I joined the workforce. I am thankful for the opportunity to work on such amazing projects with some of the most talented people I’ve ever met.”
“That being said, this experience has also been very eye opening. I understand companies need to pivot and make tough choices, but GM - do better. We were all locked out of our laptops, unable to thank coworkers and say goodbye. Not sure why I’m surprised though; in an age where human connection is a thin veneer, GM was able to make it non existent,” he wrote.
He concluded his post by saying, “I hope for nothing but the best for my fellow coworkers and know that we will all move forward and succeed.”