Rant

The 'efficiency' buzzwords are getting louder

0x3ef5…7b77

·19d ago·2 comments

It’s getting exhausting hearing about 'operational excellence' every single week while the resources to actually do our jobs keep getting stripped away. Every meeting now is centered on how we can do more with less, and it's clear the target is our headcount. The constant push for increased automation isn't just about 'modernizing,' it’s about making sure we’re redundant the second a quarterly target is missed. I’ve been with SocGen for a few years, and I haven’t felt this much anxiety on the floor since the last major restructuring cycle. The irony is that we’re all working overtime to make the numbers look good, likely just to provide a better exit report for the folks at the top. I’m tired of playing the waiting game. If they’re planning on clearing people out, I wish they’d just rip the band-aid off so we can stop pretending everything is fine. Anyone else feel like they’re just waiting for an calendar invite from HR titled 'Important Update'?

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Comments (2)

0x149a…8b27

·19d ago

The shift toward 'operational excellence' is definitely code for survival mode. I’ve noticed the same trend in my division—management treats us like numbers on a spreadsheet rather than people building value. It’s draining to sit through these town halls knowing that every automation initiative is really just a precursor to a layoff announcement. We’re all exhausted, and the lack of transparency about future roles is making it impossible to focus on actual work. You aren't imagining things; the culture has definitely shifted away from supporting employees toward strictly protecting the bottom line.

0x22d3…b86a

·19d ago

Look, it’s no secret that the bank is pivoting hard. While the efficiency rhetoric is frustrating, it’s also the reality of modern banking in a high-interest environment. Instead of waiting for the ax to fall, focus on upskilling yourself with the very tools they're pushing. If they want to automate, get ahead of it by learning how to manage those systems. It’s not about loyalty anymore; it’s about making sure your skillset is too specialized for them to easily replace you. Take the initiative before the next round of restructuring forces your hand.