Are we waiting for the other shoe to drop?

It feels like the quietest fiscal season I’ve ever seen. No big news, no big shifts, just a weird, lingering stillness that usually precedes a layoff announcement. I’ve been watching the internal job board, and it seems like the volume of open roles has dropped off a cliff compared to last year. If you look at the recent leadership messaging, everything is about 'optimizing our service model' and 'leveraging internal talent.' Whenever they talk about leveraging internal talent, I assume it means they're preparing to move people around before handing out pink slips to the redundant roles. I’ve survived three rounds in my career here, and the signals are starting to look very familiar. The lack of clarity from the top is honestly more stressful than just ripping the bandage off. I’ve started backing up my performance reviews and networking contacts just in case things go south abruptly. If anyone hears anything specific about departments being targeted for 'consolidation,' please share. It’s better to be prepared.