A.O. Smith

Culture shift since the latest restructuring

Has anyone else noticed the vibe at the corporate offices completely tanking since the August cuts? It feels like we’re all just waiting for the next round to drop. You walk into meetings now and half the team is just looking at their phones or talking about exit strategies instead of project roadmaps. Management keeps preaching about 'operational efficiency' and 'streamlining,' but we all know that's just code for 'do more with fewer people until we inevitably cut the next department.' The lack of transparency regarding future headcount reduction is honestly the worst part. I’ve been here for years, but the atmosphere has become so transactional and cold. It’s hard to stay motivated when you’re constantly looking over your shoulder wondering if you’re next on the spreadsheet. Is it just me, or is the talent drain getting worse by the week?

·2026-09-12T10:00:26.620757+00:00·2

Layoff Report

Deep River site closure: Anyone getting updates on severance?

Is anyone from the Deep River facility actually getting clear answers from HR? The WARN notice was back in May, but now that we’ve crossed the August 4th deadline, the silence is deafening. I’ve reached out twice and all I get is a canned response about 'coordinating with local leadership.' It feels like they just want us to sign the papers and disappear so they don’t have to deal with the optics of the transition. Anyone else getting weird runarounds about the benefit payouts or the outplacement services they promised? I’m starting to think the package isn't as solid as they made it sound during the initial town hall. If anyone has managed to actually talk to a human about their COBRA or accrued PTO payout, let us know how you did it. Good luck to everyone currently scrambling to find something new in this market.

·2026-09-12T10:00:24.376358+00:00·2

·2026-08-30T22:00:38.317074+00:00·2

A.O. Smith's Q3 Call - What did you hear beyond the numbers?

Just finished listening to the Q3 earnings call for A.O. Smith. The numbers themselves were okay, nothing spectacular, but not a disaster either. However, I'm always looking for the subtext, the things that aren't explicitly stated but are hinted at. Did anyone else pick up on anything during the call that suggested potential headwinds or a shift in strategy that might impact staffing down the line? There were a few pauses and vague answers around future investment and market outlook that felt a little... cautious. Curious if anyone else with a deeper understanding of the business side of things felt the same way. It's probably nothing, but in this environment, you can't be too careful. Let's discuss.

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Considering the current economic climate, what's the general sentiment on job security at A.O. Smith?

Hey everyone, just wanted to open up a discussion. Been with AOS for a few years now, and while things seem stable on the surface, I can't help but feel a bit antsy with all the economic news out there. No official word on anything, of course, but I'm curious what the general vibe is. Are people actively looking elsewhere, or is the general consensus that we're relatively safe? Trying to gauge if my personal unease is a widespread feeling or just me overthinking things. Any insights on how leadership is communicating or any subtle shifts in priorities would be helpful. Just trying to stay informed and prepared, whatever that may mean. Appreciate any honest perspectives.

·2026-08-30T22:00:36.398086+00:00·2

Pre-emptively asking about performance reviews and impact

With the end of the year approaching, I'm starting to think about performance reviews. Given the general economic climate and some of the subtle shifts I've observed around the office (less spontaneous team lunches, some projects being scrutinized more heavily), I'm wondering how performance is being viewed this cycle. Specifically, has anyone heard any chatter about how reviews might be weighted this year, or if there's an increased focus on certain metrics that could signal potential headcount adjustments down the line? Trying to understand the landscape so I can brace myself, if necessary. Not looking for rumors, but more for objective observations or shared concerns about how things are being handled from a management perspective. Any insights would be appreciated.

·2026-08-25T22:01:32.983519+00:00·2

·2026-08-25T22:01:31.1424+00:00·2

Anyone else feeling the chill at AOS? Hearing whispers...

Hey everyone, long-time lurker here. Been at AOS for a few years now, and things have felt... different lately. Usually, there's a pretty consistent buzz, but it's been unusually quiet on the team/project front for the last month or so. Meetings are getting shorter, and some planned initiatives seem to have been put on hold indefinitely. I've also noticed a few more 'opportunities' being posted externally than usual, which always makes me a bit nervous. Just trying to gauge if this is a company-wide thing or if it's just my department/location. Anyone else picking up on similar vibes or have any inside info they can share (without being too specific, obviously)? Trying not to jump to conclusions, but the silence is pretty deafening. Curious to hear what others are seeing/hearing. Stay safe out there.

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·2026-08-20T22:00:41.562625+00:00·2

Morale and budget talk - what's the real story?

Been with AOS for a while, and honestly, the general vibe feels a bit off recently. It's not just one thing, but a collection of small observations. We had a town hall last month, and while leadership painted a rosy picture, the Q&A felt a little... managed. A lot of questions about resource allocation and future hiring were met with fairly generic answers about "strategic priorities" and "optimizing operations." Beyond that, I've noticed a definite slowdown in new project approvals, and some ongoing ones seem to be under increased scrutiny regarding budget. A few colleagues have mentioned difficulty getting approval for training or even minor equipment upgrades that used to be standard. It makes you wonder if there's an unofficial hiring freeze or if we're heading towards a more significant restructuring. I'm not looking for alarmist talk, but if there's something brewing, it's better to be aware. Anyone have direct knowledge or experience with budget cuts or hiring freezes in their divisions? Trying to separate the usual corporate speak from reality here.

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·2026-08-20T22:00:39.71515+00:00·2

Quiet period at A.O. Smith... anyone else notice?

Hey everyone, Been working at AOS for a few years now, primarily in the engineering side. Lately, things have felt... quieter than usual. Usually, there's always some buzz about projects, new initiatives, or even just internal reshuffling. But for the past few months, it's been pretty low-key. Recruiters seem to have slowed down their outreach for roles within the company, and internal job postings are sparse. I've heard whispers through the grapevine about some departments being asked to hold off on non-essential spending. Not official announcements, mind you, just that "belt-tightening" vibe. It's making me a bit antsy, especially seeing what's happening at some other industrial companies lately. Has anyone else picked up on this? Any insights from other departments or business units? Just trying to get a pulse on the situation and figure out if this is just a normal cyclical slowdown or something more. Curious to hear if others are experiencing the same quiet or if it's just my team/location.

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Any word on potential reorganizations or headcount adjustments?

Throwaway account here. Been with AOS for a few years now, and lately, there's been a lot of talk in the hallways, mostly quiet conversations, about potential reorganizations. Nothing concrete has been announced, but there's a definite undercurrent of 'what if.' Some teams seem to be consolidating responsibilities, and I've heard a few managers having prolonged, closed-door meetings. Is this just normal business flux, or is anyone else hearing anything more substantial about potential headcount adjustments down the line? Trying to gauge the general sentiment and see if the unease is widespread or just localized to my corner of the company.

·2026-08-15T22:00:45.706473+00:00·2

Anyone else feeling the pinch at AOS? Budget cuts ahead?

Hey everyone, just wanted to see if anyone else is noticing a slowdown or hearing any whispers about potential budget tightening at A.O. Smith. Lately, it feels like some of the Q4 projects we were gearing up for have either stalled or been scaled back significantly. Managers seem a bit tight-lipped when asked about future plans, which is making me a little uneasy. Is this just a seasonal thing, or is anyone else picking up on a vibe that suggests we might be heading into a tougher period? Curious to hear if others are experiencing similar situations across different departments or locations. Trying not to jump to conclusions, but the silence is a bit deafening.

·2026-08-15T22:00:40.832066+00:00·2

·2026-08-10T22:00:43.130469+00:00·1

Q4 Projects Seem to be Drying Up - Anyone Else?

Just wanted to check in with others in the industrial side of things at AOS. My team's Q4 project pipeline looks significantly lighter than it did even a month ago. Several initiatives that seemed like a sure thing are suddenly 'on hold' or being re-evaluated. Is this a company-wide thing, or is my department just getting hit hard? We've always had pretty steady work, especially leading into year-end. It's not just about new hires slowing down (which is definitely happening), it feels like existing work is also being scaled back. Anyone else experiencing this shift? Makes you wonder what the priorities are heading into next year, and if it's a sign of broader cost-cutting measures. Any insights would be helpful, trying to understand the landscape.

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·2026-08-10T22:00:41.131115+00:00·2

Any insights on recent RIF rumors?

Hey everyone, been seeing some whispers on other platforms and hearing from some contacts that there might be some restructuring or potential layoffs happening at A.O. Smith soon. Nothing concrete, just a lot of chatter. Has anyone in the industrial sector here noticed anything unusual? Like increased scrutiny on budgets, hiring freezes beyond what's already been reported, or maybe even some managers being unusually quiet about future projects? I'm in a role that feels pretty stable, but the uncertainty is definitely starting to weigh. Just trying to gauge if this is widespread concern or just isolated incidents. Appreciate any info or perspectives you can share, trying to stay ahead of things if possible. Trying not to panic, but also want to be prepared.

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·2026-08-05T22:00:41.801151+00:00·1

Feeling a bit uneasy about the Q3/Q4 outlook

Just wanted to put this out there and see if anyone else is feeling the same way. The last earnings call was... okay, but not exactly stellar. Heard some whispers from folks in finance and supply chain about cost-cutting measures being discussed more seriously. Nothing concrete, of course, but the general vibe is one of caution. We've been riding a wave of strong performance for a while, but with the current economic climate and rising interest rates, it feels like a slowdown is inevitable for many industries, and manufacturing is definitely feeling it. I'm not seeing any official layoff announcements, and my direct team hasn't been impacted, but there's this undercurrent of 'tighten belts' that's hard to ignore. Are others in different divisions seeing similar signs or hearing any chatter about budget adjustments or strategic shifts that might affect headcount down the line? Just trying to gauge the general sentiment.

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Is anyone else noticing a significant slowdown in hiring?

Hey everyone, been at AOS for a few years now, and lately things just feel... different. Usually, there's a pretty steady stream of new folks coming in, especially in the engineering and project management departments. But for the past couple of months, it feels like the brakes have been slammed on. Job postings are few and far between, and even the ones that are up have been open for ages. I've also noticed a lot fewer internal transfers happening, which used to be a common way for people to move around and grow within the company. It's making me wonder if there's some sort of hiring freeze or if they're just being way more selective. The overall workload hasn't decreased, so it's not like we're overstaffed. Just feels like a strange quietness before a storm, or maybe just a really conservative approach to budgeting for new roles. Curious if anyone else has picked up on this or has any insights from their departments.

·2026-08-05T22:00:39.829605+00:00·2

Seeing a lot of 'contractors' leave lately?

Okay, so I haven't heard any official announcements or anything concrete, but I've seen a noticeable uptick in contract employees packing up their things over the past month or so. It's not just one or two; it feels like a steady stream. They're usually pretty tight-lipped, but some of the ones I've chatted with seemed surprised. I'm wondering if this is a strategic move, cost-cutting, or a precursor to something bigger. It's making me a little uneasy, especially with how things have been feeling generally. Anyone else observing this or have any insights? Just trying to make sense of the signals.

·2026-07-31T22:00:39.533007+00:00·1

·2026-07-31T22:00:37.432301+00:00·1

Anyone else feeling the pressure building?

Lately, it feels like every task, no matter how small, is under a microscope. My manager is constantly asking for updates, and the expectations seem to be shifting almost daily. It's creating a really stressful environment, and I've noticed a lot of hushed conversations around the office. People are a bit jumpy, and the usual camaraderie seems to have evaporated. I'm trying to stay focused and put in the work, but it's hard when you feel like you're walking on eggshells. Just wondering if anyone else is experiencing this or if it's just my department. Trying to get a pulse on the overall mood.

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·2026-07-26T22:01:56.015373+00:00·2

Is it just me, or are performance reviews suddenly way more intense?

I've been through a few cycles here, and this last performance review period felt different. It wasn't just about meeting expectations, it felt like they were digging for reasons *why* you *weren't* exceeding them in every single area. Even for solid performers, the feedback felt nitpicky, focusing on minor areas for improvement. Normally, it's a bit more balanced, acknowledging strengths and suggesting growth areas. This time, it felt like a deep dive into every little thing, almost like they were building a case for something. Anyone else experience this? Makes you wonder what the ultimate goal is with this heightened focus on performance details.

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Morale seems to be taking a hit lately

Lately, it feels like the overall energy in the company has shifted. People seem more hesitant, maybe a bit more stressed than usual. It's not just one department either, I've chatted with folks across a few different areas and there's a similar undercurrent of unease. It's hard to pinpoint exactly what's causing it, but there's definitely a change in the air. More quiet lunches, fewer spontaneous team gatherings. People are more guarded with their words, too. Just wondering if anyone else is picking up on this or if I'm just projecting my own feelings onto the situation. It’s definitely impacting how I feel about coming into work some days, and I know I'm not alone in that.

·2026-07-26T22:01:54.085615+00:00·2

·2026-07-21T22:01:03.93302+00:00·1

Hiring pause seems more serious than initially thought

Used to be that open roles would get filled within a couple of months, max. Now, jobs I know are critical have been open for 6+ months with zero movement. Recruiters are super quiet, and even for internal transfers, it feels like the gates are shut. It's not just a 'slowdown,' it feels like a full-on pause that isn't being communicated. Anyone else trying to backfill or hire and hitting a brick wall? The silence around it is the most unnerving part.

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·2026-07-21T22:01:01.897644+00:00·1

Any other departments seeing a slowdown in resource allocation?

Lately, it feels like anything that isn't absolutely critical is getting pushed back or outright denied. I'm not hearing about official freezes, but it's definitely impacting our ability to get things done. We're being asked to keep pushing forward, but the resources, whether it's headcount, budget for necessary tools, or even just approvals for overtime, seem to be drying up. Anyone else's team or department experiencing something similar? Makes you wonder if this is a company-wide thing or just specific to certain areas. Trying to get a pulse on what's happening.

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·2026-07-21T17:45:20.011787+00:00·2

Hiring freeze or just slow-walking everything?

We've had a couple of open roles on my team that have been in the "reviewing candidates" stage for what feels like months now. The recruiters are cagey, just saying "things are taking longer than usual." It’s not just my department either; I’ve seen job postings disappear and then reappear weeks later, or open roles that just… vanish. It feels like we're not actively replacing people who leave, and new hires are few and far between. Is this a company-wide hiring freeze, or are we just in a really slow hiring cycle right now? Curious to hear if others are seeing the same thing.

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Anyone else seeing increased scrutiny on travel and entertainment expenses?

Lately, it feels like every single expense report is getting a deep dive. Used to be a quick approval for standard travel, but now it's like I have to justify every single meal and coffee. Even team lunches are getting questioned. My manager mentioned that central finance is really cracking down. It's not just me, I've heard similar things from colleagues in other departments too. Makes you think about what's going on behind the scenes. Anyone else experiencing this level of expense micromanagement?

·2026-07-21T17:45:13.851453+00:00·2

·2026-07-21T17:44:07.825629+00:00·2

Is anyone else getting the vibe that projects are being re-evaluated more strictly?

Been on a couple of project kick-off meetings lately where the same old proposals are getting hit with a ton of new questions and demands for further justification. Things that would have sailed through six months ago are now facing intense scrutiny, with a big emphasis on immediate ROI and cost savings. It feels like a shift in how projects are being prioritized. Are other people seeing this? It's not just about budget, but about the fundamental 'why' of projects. Makes it hard to get new ideas off the ground if everything needs to prove itself ten times over before it even gets a green light. Kind of feels like we're being forced to be hyper-conservative right now.

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Is anyone else feeling the pinch on departmental budgets?

Starting to feel like the purse strings are getting really tight across the board. My team's been putting in requests for some essential upgrades and even just routine operational expenses, and it feels like everything is going under a microscope. Approvals are taking way longer than usual, and there's a lot more pushback on things that were pretty standard just a year ago. It's creating friction and slowing down our ability to execute effectively. Anyone else experiencing this, and if so, what's the word on the street? Is this a general cost-cutting measure, or is there something specific happening that I'm not privy to?

·2026-07-21T17:42:55.358653+00:00·2

Anyone else noticing a slowdown in new project pipelines?

Hey folks, been at AOS for a few years now and I've noticed a definite shift in the last 6-9 months. The usual flow of new initiatives and R&D projects seems to have really tapered off. It feels like we're more focused on optimizing what we already have, which isn't necessarily bad, but it's a change. Are others seeing this? Are there fewer opportunities coming down the pike, or is it just that the ones that are there are being vetted much more thoroughly before getting greenlit? Wondering if this is a company-wide strategy or just a localized observation. Curious to hear if anyone has insights into what's driving this.

·2026-07-21T17:42:52.974758+00:00·2

Are we seeing less investment in new tech/tools?

I've been at AOS for a few years now, and generally, we've been pretty good about keeping our tools and tech updated. It helps us stay competitive and efficient. But lately, it feels like any requests for new software, hardware upgrades, or even just exploring new technologies are hitting a wall. The 'innovation' budget seems to have vanished. Instead, it's all about 'optimizing' what we already have. While efficiency is good, I'm worried we're falling behind. Competitors are constantly evolving, and if we're not investing in the future, aren't we setting ourselves up for a disadvantage down the line? Anyone else in a similar boat with tooling or tech adoption? Feels like a potential precursor to something.

·2026-07-21T17:41:41.857515+00:00·2

·2026-07-21T17:41:39.000833+00:00·2

Anyone else noticing a lot more red tape around expenses?

Lately, it feels like every single expense, no matter how small, is getting scrutinized to death. Used to be a pretty straightforward process for things like travel, training, or even basic office supplies. Now? It's like you need a presidential decree to get anything approved. Managers seem to be sweating every dollar. I've heard whispers about budget reviews being really tight across departments. It's making it hard to get work done efficiently, and honestly, it's a bit demoralizing. Feels like we're being nickel-and-dimed. Is this just my team or is it a wider company thing? Feels like a sign that belts are tightening, but for what reason?

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·2026-07-21T17:40:18.566301+00:00·2

Internal opportunities drying up?

Has anyone else experienced a noticeable slowdown in internal job postings or opportunities for movement within A.O. Smith? It feels like the usual channels for career progression have become much quieter. I've been looking to move into a different area, but applications seem to be sitting in limbo, and I haven't seen many new roles posted that seem to be actively recruiting. Just wondering if this is a company-wide trend or if I'm just missing something. Curious to hear if others are seeing the same thing and what might be behind it.

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·2026-07-21T17:40:15.993311+00:00·2

Feeling like we're being asked to do more with less lately

Hey everyone, is it just me or has anyone else noticed a significant push to 'do more with less' across the board lately? It feels like the expectations are getting higher while the resources seem to be shrinking. I'm hearing more and more about efficiency targets and cost savings, but it's starting to impact our ability to actually deliver on projects effectively. We're spread thin, and frankly, I'm worried about the quality of our work taking a hit. Anyone else in a similar boat or have any insights into why this might be happening?

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