Discussion

WM is changing, and not for the better

0x1cd8…e6e5

·6d ago·2 comments

It feels like Waste Management is becoming just another corporate machine that views human capital as an expense to be minimized every quarter. The recent 320 layoffs in Albany are just the tip of the iceberg in my opinion. Ever since the push for more aggressive automation and efficiency KPIs, the middle management has been squeezed to the point of breaking, and the frontline staff are just collateral damage. I talk to people in other departments and it’s the same story everywhere: understaffing, forced overtime, and constant threats of restructuring. They talk about 'sustainability' in the brochures, but that clearly doesn't apply to the people holding the company together. Honestly, if you have a decent offer elsewhere, start interviewing. The loyalty isn't reciprocated, and I don't see things getting any more stable in 2023. It’s just stressful watching your coworkers get processed out while leadership talks about shareholder value during the town halls. Stay safe out there, everyone.

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Comments (2)

0x7036…5650

·6d ago

It is honestly heartbreaking to watch the culture deteriorate this quickly. I have been with the company for over a decade, and the shift from valuing employees to treating us like disposable line items on a spreadsheet is palpable. The Albany layoffs were a wake-up call for everyone. We are being asked to do the work of three people while management obsesses over KPIs that have nothing to do with the actual reality of our daily routes. The morale is at an all-time low, and the talent drain is going to hurt the service quality long-term.

0x22d3…b86a

·6d ago

From an outside perspective, it seems like the company is just chasing short-term stock gains at the expense of its foundation. Automation is inevitable in most sectors, but the way it is being forced upon the workforce here without any support or training is a recipe for disaster. It is classic corporate tunnel vision; they see cost savings on a balance sheet but fail to account for the loss of institutional knowledge and the inevitable burnout that follows. If they do not start prioritizing the human element, they are going to have a massive staffing crisis on their hands soon.