Will HCA Lay Me Off?

Question

I work for HCA Corporate in the IT department. Does the buyout mean layoffs for us?

Answer 1

I guess it depends, like everything else in life. What do you do? Sad to say, usually the taking-over group wins out in the "who-stays" sweepstakes.

If you look after country-wide networks, well, they probably don't need twice as many people to look after the merged network -eventually. Ditto for things like Email, help desk, etc. Use one link from NYC to LA for both companies.

If you support an application like purchasing, payroll, accounting or billing - well, most of the time, the real savings come in using 1 system to bill everyone, etc. - there'll be a transition, and then they only need support for 1 billing system or accounting system.

If you support something unique and special that they may want to keep, well good for you! Lucky!

If you're lucky and smart, they go by expertise and both companies use the same software, so you're an expert. If you are nowhere near a competing site -well, if you're the only game, let's say, in the midwest, maybe they'll keep. lets say, the Denver or Omaha or Kansas City or whatever office, and maybe they don't have one nearby and you're lucky...

On the plus side, if you're at the bottom of the totem pole, it's comforting to know the guys near the top are the first to go. How many "regional manager of Southeast Region" or "Director of Infrastructure" do they need?

However, with double the network size or servers, they may need 30% or 50% more people, so you do have a good chance.

If you also speak Punjabi or Hindu, your chances are very good.

Good luck!