Chet100's journey

I work in IT and I've been hearing rumors about upcoming layoffs in my company, especially with a significant one expected around December or January. I've been performing decently, but the uncertainty is really unsettling. It feels like no one knows how to avoid being laid off, and even the VPs are not providing any clarity. I'm starting to wonder if there's any area within IT that is still considered safe. The job market seems bleak, and I can't shake the feeling that it's the worst I've seen in decades. I'm trying to focus on the positives, like the skills I've developed and the challenges I've overcome, but it's hard not to feel anxious about the future. I've been advised to prepare for the worst by updating my CV and reaching out to my network, which I plan to do. If I get laid off, I want to be ready to start looking for new opportunities right away.

I recently found myself in a tough situation at my company where it feels like they want me to quit. Despite my strong performance and decent salary, it seems their goal is to let me go and replace me with someone who would earn 40% less. I even received a poor performance rating this time around, which I escalated all the way to the SVP. After some back and forth, my manager had no choice but to change the rating to 'meets expectations' and they increased my bonus by $12,000. I know I deserve better, but at this point, I'm not going to make it easy for them. I've started to contribute less at work and I'm actively looking for new job opportunities. I plan to inform them when I decide to leave, rather than waiting for management to make that call.