Only-Drag6668's journey

I work in operations in the finance area for a healthcare-related company that has struggled to rebound since Covid. In October 2024, we had a 10% workforce reduction, and I managed to keep my job. However, after new C-suite leadership came in, jobs began migrating to an offshore affiliate, and by spring, layoffs were announced to occur over a 90-day period. I survived that round, but it was a traumatic experience, and I took a week off afterward to recover mentally and emotionally. Now, a year later, there's talk of new automation changes, but it seems that the onshore jobs are safe for now. Recently, we received a cautiously worded email suggesting potential cuts for those roles, which has heightened my anxiety. Additionally, my department is undergoing a two-week time study to assess our operations, and I've been told that layoffs followed the last time such a study was conducted, although I don’t recall that happening. Currently, I don’t see any clear signs of layoffs in my department of over 130 people, but the uncertainty is overwhelming. While we are still missing profit targets, operating costs are under budget, which adds to the mixed signals. I’ve started applying for new jobs because I can’t handle the stress of not knowing what’s coming. I genuinely love my job and my colleagues, but the fear of going through another layoff is weighing heavily on me. Having been laid off twice before and being in my early 50s, I know how damaging it can be to one’s confidence, even when it’s not your fault. The job market feels daunting, and even if layoffs don’t happen after the time study, I’m exhausted from the constant anxiety. I’m looking for some reassurance or perspective on whether I should be worried about my situation.