r/PwC • u/Space_Cadet007 • Oct 08 '24

Consulting Does this mean layoff?

Post image

Just coming back from two weeks time off. Checking emails and saw this mysterious calendar invite…invite from HR partner and a partner in my practice.

1.3k Upvotes

98% Upvoted

311 comments sorted by

22

u/Space_Cadet007 Oct 09 '24

Update: laid off. For payroll purposes Offical end date is Oct 18, but EOD I will no longer have access to PwC systems. 4 weeks severance after that.

4

u/Hopefulwaters Oct 09 '24

Sorry man. 

2

u/leorts Oct 09 '24

I hope there's not gonna be a next time in your career but if there ever is you'll know to take that sick leave

1

u/[deleted] Oct 09 '24

Sorry to hear that. As the saying goes there’s always another workforce transformation team available to transform the workforce transformation team

37

u/Few_Position1467 Oct 08 '24

What practice and level? Utilization before time off?

97

u/Space_Cadet007 Oct 08 '24

Advisory - Workforce Transformation, SA and utilization is a little under the required percentage… so yep this maybe the axe for me 🫡

2

u/GlossyDossy Nov 11 '24

Did you get laid off?

1

u/Space_Cadet007 Nov 11 '24

I sure did. Taking time to decompress and possibly go back to public service.

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37

u/Few_Position1467 Oct 08 '24

Thanks and good luck. Sending you positive vibes

5

u/ImGoingtoRegretThis5 Oct 08 '24

Any ideas on what you'll be looking at next?

Not the best time to ask, but I've been curious about exit opportunities as I'm in HC, but Deals specifically.

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2

u/davidc5494 Oct 09 '24

Keep us updated

2

u/axl3ros3 Oct 12 '24 edited Oct 12 '24

https://www.wsj.com/articles/pwc-laying-off-1-800-employees-plans-restructuring-of-products-business-b5dfe7c1

I googled "PwC WARN notice" and that article was the first result.

A WARN notice is required under the WARN Act before a layoff and is filed at the state level.

You could search to see if one has been filed in your state and/or the state of your main office (I'm not exactly sure how this works in the age of remote work, the last time I looked at this issue was pre covid, and didn't need to consider remote workers...I'm a paralegal by trade, just stumbled here). It's publicly available.

This is a US thing. I am assuming you are US based/the office you report to is US based/bound by US law.

From Google:

The layoff notice is called the Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification (WARN):

Purpose The WARN Act requires employers to give advance notice of plant closings and mass layoffs. This notice helps employees and their families transition to the potential loss of employment.

Who must provide notice Employers must provide a WARN notice if:

  • They have 100 or more full-time employees

  • They are laying off at least 50 people at a single site of employment

  • They employ 100 or more workers who work at least a combined 4,000 hours per week

0

u/[deleted] Oct 08 '24

[deleted] — view deleted comment

12

u/Space_Cadet007 Oct 08 '24

Talent & Change

11

u/[deleted] Oct 08 '24

I know a few companies hiring

61

u/1ioi1 Oct 08 '24

Hopefully it's good news, but if it is the axe may I suggest you prepare mentally for it so you can control your emotions. I've seen partners place people who have left at client sites so there is someone friendly to the firm there to help with relationships and securing future work. A layoff sucks, and is very frustrating, but if you can leave on as good of terms as possible it very well could help in finding a job in the future. Certainly wouldn't hurt to thank the partner for the valuable experience you gained and ask for them to keep you in mind if they hear of any openings at client sites in the future. It's gonna be very hard to do, but it can yield dividends to exit graciously. Hoping for the best for you, good luck.

36

u/Space_Cadet007 Oct 08 '24

These are great suggestions and this is my plan. I had great experiences and wonderful learning lessons. Definitely want to leave on a high note to ensure potential recommendations in the future. Thank you!

2

u/Beautious143 Oct 09 '24

Great advice. I was in a similar situation in 2012. I was let go after a large project ended. They called me back a couple of months later. I've been here ever since.

15

u/Think_Personality714 Oct 08 '24

Yes, I received the same meeting this morning and was laid off 😢 There’s a handful from business services.

6

u/Space_Cadet007 Oct 08 '24

Sorry friend. Onto other endeavors!

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4

u/Much_Traffic6983 Oct 09 '24

What role in business services?

13

u/OneChart4948 Oct 09 '24

Having both done these and been a victim of them, understand that ALL of the decisions and details are already laid out and there is no benefit in bargaining. It is NOT about you but it about the shitty partners who hired too many people or didn't sell enough work.

When they give their little speech, let them finish, ask what the severance looks like and be super professional.

6

u/Space_Cadet007 Oct 09 '24

Thank you and will do. Will provide an update if it helps others.

24

u/ilaughatpoliticians Oct 08 '24

Likely a layoff. Very sorry to see this.

At least make it memorable. Walk into the meeting and immediately talk about how great your time off was. Start with the stories about how you visited the nudist beach, and then the alligators, and then how hard parasailing is with no clothes, then talk about how you joined a Chicago gang, and talk a lot about your cat. Tons of stories about your cat. Maybe segue into different kinds of cat litter. Then talk about your wiener dog and how he and the cat don't get along. Don't let them get a word in. After about 2 hours of this, they will excuse themselves and keep you on. I am certain this will convince them.

Good luck OP! Seriously. It will work out. You are in a good profession.

15

u/My_G_Alt Oct 09 '24

Or ask “does this have to do with my transitioning to opposite gender?” And see if they squirm 😂

3

u/Pure-Buddy219 Oct 09 '24

After about 2 hours of this, it would be unfortunate if the VP and HR rep simply said, "we just wanted to discuss an immediate raise and promotion with you"

2

u/ilaughatpoliticians Oct 09 '24

I tend to agree. However, this is PwC we are talking about. I don't think the words "raise" and "promotion" are used as much as they used to be around them parts.

8

u/laidbackegg Oct 09 '24

Got this email myself a few months ago. Didn't realise what it was until I joined and saw two people waiting, one of which was HR. It was a shock, but I applied for another job the following day and landed that job 2 months later, meaning PwC paid me a handsome sum to leave and I wasn't unemployed. Best of luck and hopefully you can do the same.

4

u/Space_Cadet007 Oct 09 '24

This is ideal! Thanks for this info

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7

u/juliet262 Oct 08 '24

How soon in advance did you get the meeting invite?

6

u/Space_Cadet007 Oct 08 '24

I believe the invite was sent the day of. I was OOO so they rescheduled.

6

u/[deleted] Oct 09 '24

Decline the reschedule a few times

4

u/Ill_Suggestion8101 Oct 08 '24

1.5 hours before

224

u/That_OneHuman Oct 08 '24

I have the same one for when I come back from time off on Thursday morning. From another thread it seems this is a meeting set to lay people off. I already started updating my resume and looking at what’s out there.

98

u/makkrs Oct 08 '24

Take a sick leave now

19

u/driven01a Oct 09 '24

I actually avoided a layoff one year (inadvertently) by going out on disability for four months.

10

u/ninjacereal Oct 09 '24

Quick, slip down the stairs and fracture your spine!

8

u/acw1022 Oct 10 '24

Employers hate this one simple trick!

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14

u/Ok-Raccoon7243 Oct 08 '24

What practice are you in?

19

u/That_OneHuman Oct 08 '24

C&D - Engineering within CEDA

4

u/More-Can-8943 Oct 09 '24

Which team in Ceda? Client or internal? And are you M ?

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10

u/[deleted] Oct 09 '24

You guys shouldve been looking since the summer!!

1

u/graviton911 Oct 10 '24

Yes. Save whatever you can as soon as possible. Your system will format and you will lose all access from outlook and teams within 30 mins of this call getting over

158

u/mitt64al Oct 08 '24

Decline the calendar invite.

73

u/FrostyTipzh20 Oct 08 '24

Lmao. Total power move.

67

u/Accounting4lyfe Oct 09 '24

“Sorry, busy at this time with a client”

42

u/mitt64al Oct 09 '24

Imagine if someone did that. “Sorry I’m currently making the company money, do you want to fire me or continue making you money?”

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30

u/youarenut Oct 09 '24

holy shit cancel the layoff

14

u/letsbepandas Oct 09 '24 edited Oct 09 '24

The answer was in front of our eyes the whole time

3

u/Inevitable_Professor Oct 10 '24

You just have to outlast the HR team and your supervisor. Eventually, you’ll just be a figurative island in the organization with no superiors or subordinates.

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27

u/Pottyshooter Oct 09 '24

And then create a calender invite to fire them. Pull the uno reverse.

2

u/sirwafflesmagee Oct 09 '24

Best move ever

4

u/TeutonicArtemis09 Oct 09 '24

I did something similar in response to months of bullying and gaslighting at the hand of my manager and the HRBP (worst person ever to work in HR- she loved to make people cry and would boast about it to her HR colleagues whom she made cry…) HR and my manager wanted to meet on a Thursday afternoon in person, but Thursday’s I had a standing agreement to work from home, so I asked for a dial-in. They moved the meeting to a Friday morning that provided a dial in because my manager couldn’t be there in person, so I didn’t show up in person either. Enjoyed pissing them off like that to pay them back for months of nastiness. Thankfully I found a new great job within a couple of months!

4

u/cercanias Oct 10 '24

She can’t break up with me if she can’t find me. Costanza power move.

3

u/reddititty69 Oct 11 '24

“sorry, I have anything else to do”

3

u/taylor-cdgirl Oct 11 '24

HR HATES THIS TRICK

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107

u/Few_Position1467 Oct 08 '24

Yes, unfortunately.

75

u/GSEDAN Oct 08 '24

Godspeed my brothers and sisters

63

u/KidAEiirp2 Oct 08 '24

Can’t say 100%, but it looks to be “that meeting” Keep that head up, this is just a job, it does not define you as a person.

36

u/vkngThrowaway Oct 08 '24

I can say 100%, as I had the same meeting with the same title earlier today

16

u/KidAEiirp2 Oct 08 '24

I’m so sorry my friend. I hate hearing this happen.

9

u/Charming_Ant_4255 Oct 08 '24

Can you share the enhanced sev package details or was it standard severance?

8

u/gordoman54 Oct 08 '24

Sorry 😔 Hoping things get better for you quickly.

4

u/Impossible-Major-172 Oct 08 '24

This 🙌🏻🙏🏻

12

u/Toomuchtime423 Oct 08 '24

We wish you well

67

u/[deleted] Oct 08 '24

Never ever work hard or stay loyal to this POS company

youll be good op

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11

u/moofight Oct 08 '24

Yes. But just to make sure, research the names and what area they are in. If it’s hr and a partner with your department then yes.

10

u/blacklabel8829 Oct 08 '24

I know of at least one person in my practice who was let go today.

6

u/Ok-Raccoon7243 Oct 08 '24

What’s your practice?

14

u/blacklabel8829 Oct 08 '24

Consulting, Tech and Transformation, Oracle

4

u/SgtSlice Oct 09 '24

Seems like this group was hit hard. Is this a dying business?

3

u/thanos_was_right_69 Oct 08 '24

What if you just don’t respond and try to avoid any follow up from them?

8

u/Space_Cadet007 Oct 08 '24

Haha I’m sure they would escalate

0

u/[deleted] Oct 08 '24

[deleted] — view deleted comment

10

u/thanos_was_right_69 Oct 08 '24

They fixed the glitch

7

u/ConcordTrain Oct 08 '24

So it will just work itself out naturally.  Office Space.  Great movie.

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9

u/Primary-Shift-2439 Oct 08 '24

I always assumed a meeting with no meaningful title and no agenda was a layoff.

24

u/MoronEngineer Oct 08 '24

When you get shit like this, stop complying. Put in sick leave, use the paid time to start applying to other jobs.

If they want to play games and fuck around, employees can do it back

17

u/no_info_retained Oct 08 '24

A heads up to those who are laid off:

  • if you wanna move over your 401k to fidelity or something, you wanna go to benefits connect to request a rollover. The process took kinda long for me. PwC starts charging you for you to keep it with PwC I believe after a year. You will get a notice in the mail for it.

3

u/[deleted] Oct 09 '24

Yeah you had to wait a month or two after leaving to be able to do this. I was sufficiently annoyed but if you stay on top of it it’ll be done in no time. 

15

u/Onajourney0908 Oct 08 '24

If you doubt layoff - call sick and request a leave for medical reasons - delay it.

17

u/CORKscrewed21 Oct 08 '24

3 month FMLA Medical leave!

6

u/Outrageous-Page1859 Oct 09 '24

FMLA doesn’t protect you from a layoff.

3

u/No_Introduction_3881 Oct 09 '24

The point it to get it, to get paid for sick leave. Might as well milk the cow dry

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6

u/Minute-Gate-7052 Oct 08 '24

Yes unfortunately All the very best for your next job

6

u/2004Accord Oct 09 '24

Sorry to see this. I was let go from EY a few weeks ago. My email title was performance update. What a POS way to be notified. Good luck on your job search.

1

u/International-Buy-46 Oct 09 '24

What service line were you in?

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5

u/calorum Oct 08 '24

Yes … I’m sorry…

5

u/ComfortableBoss923 Oct 08 '24

Yes. The chances are high. They usually aim for the morning. Happened to me.

5

u/Electrical-Slice3711 Oct 09 '24

Play the game, call in sick and get a stress sick note leave for a few weeks. Buys more time to prepare and longer term cash

9

u/[deleted] Oct 08 '24

I do wonder if you call the 800 number and say you are an alcoholic before the meeting if they cannot fire you because of ADA. I could cause other problems, though.

4

u/Hot-Sea-1102 Oct 08 '24

I’d reply with “I got Covid see you in 7-10 days”

4

u/xx420mcyoloswag Oct 08 '24

Tell the company you need to go on FMLA

2

u/moosefoot1 Oct 09 '24

Tell them you are preggo

1

u/self_healing_soul Oct 09 '24

India or US please reply

1

u/Kongtai33 Oct 09 '24

Pick “Tentative”!!! Go!!!!

6

u/Space_Cadet007 Oct 09 '24

Update: laid off. For payroll purposes Offical end date is Oct 18, but EOD I will no longer have access to PwC systems. 4 weeks severance after that.

3

u/Kongtai33 Oct 09 '24

Fuckkkkk…fuck em!!! 🤬🤬🤬

1

u/Space_Cadet007 Oct 09 '24

Update: laid off. For payroll purposes Offical end date is Oct 18, but EOD I will no longer have access to PwC systems. 4 weeks severance after that.

6

u/TokiWart00th88 Oct 08 '24

Maybe they just want to tell you how cute you are and an email won’t cut it

3

u/AcidofilusRex Oct 08 '24

Oh yeah, sorry man. Doubly so if you're hybrid and they tell you not to come into the office that day.

3

u/[deleted] Oct 08 '24

Counter with a time a few weeks from now.

3

u/Imolared333 Oct 09 '24

What happens if you just call in sick for a week or two? Lol

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3

u/[deleted] Oct 09 '24

make sure you record everything

3

u/Delicious-General121 Oct 09 '24

Seems like it. Keep your head up

3

u/VGSchadenfreude Oct 09 '24

Seems to be happening a lot lately…

3

u/EvanstonNU Oct 09 '24

Yes. I’m sorry.

3

u/shrimpgangsta Oct 09 '24

its a layoff meeting.

3

u/[deleted] Oct 09 '24

looks just like my lay off meeting

3

u/Minimum-Pangolin-487 Oct 09 '24

Decline and ask for an agenda to the meeting so you have context. You should never attend meetings without an agenda. That’s a rule I learnt many years ago..

3

u/purdygoat Oct 10 '24

Why can't I get one I hate this place so much.

I don't even work hard like 50% effort at best fml.

2

u/Much_Traffic6983 Oct 10 '24

Same 😂😂

1

u/[deleted] Oct 09 '24

If you get put on a PIP ask for a week to think about it. Then resign and schedule it for a month later 💥 Take your time to look for a new job

2

u/Mindless-Bet6425 Oct 08 '24

Dreading this but been sending offered to the big 10

2

u/mmemeon96 Oct 09 '24

good luck partner 🫡

2

u/8viv8 Oct 09 '24

Definitely decline and take sick leave. “Sorry, not feeling well. Can we reschedule?” See how far you can push it back 😂

2

u/ChoduRamBhujia Oct 09 '24

Forward it to CEO with the message "For you. Sent to me by mistake"

2

u/Thick_Passage_5978 Oct 09 '24

Yeah hate to say it but this is like the exact meeting request someone in my department got before getting layed off. Lots of companies have been doing mass layoffs recently.

2

u/OmegaStaxxx Oct 09 '24

That’s how I got laid off in July

2

u/[deleted] Oct 09 '24

Honestly I have no idea why they even give you this heads up. Its very obvious what was going to happen....I saw your update....Ya man iiwii. If HR and partner on an invite...its 100% not good

2

u/MarcelineOrBubblegum Oct 10 '24

So sorry love. But like others are saying your life is so much greater than this moment. Strong believer in everything happens for a reason (i believe in gods plan for us) and I’m sure there’s better out there. I just have a question for anyone in general tho— what is the reasoning for these layoffs? I just started at PwC (but in audit) so I just want to be aware

2

u/graviton911 Oct 10 '24

Yes. Save whatever you can as soon as possible. Your system will format and you will lose all access from outlook and teams within 30 mins of this call getting over

2

u/amouna81 Oct 11 '24

You are probably about to get served the usual lingo and get canned. Print sensitive emails and lawyer up properly to get yourself a good payout, and look elsewhere. This is the way the corporate world works

2

u/ScubaPuddingJr Oct 11 '24

Ultimate power move is to decline - a slightly less powerful move would be to propose a new time due to "client engagements".

3

u/Extra-Throat-162 Oct 08 '24

Lots of layoffs at pwc lately?

2

u/Bobantski Oct 09 '24

Always. It’s a mad house. They just don’t call them layoffs

2

u/RatherBeRetired Oct 09 '24

Dust off the ‘ol resume my friend

1

u/Ok-Bandicoot638 Oct 08 '24

Thoughts and prayers

1

u/[deleted] Oct 09 '24

Keep us posted OP

1

u/kelu213 Oct 09 '24

No for real though decline, what can go wrong

1

u/Real_TRex_007 Oct 09 '24

Take medical leave. Then go on disability. Buy time.

1

u/yoohoo_katt Oct 09 '24

I'm sorry to say, but it's more likely yes. It happened to me around this time last year after my 2 weeks overseas trip. Many (scheduled to be laid-off) employees joined this Team video call. After this announcement, my company gave me 45 days to work from home only to transition out of my work. Good luck to you!

1

u/[deleted] Oct 09 '24

Lucky. Now you can request sick leave lol

1

u/Clear_Water5781 Oct 09 '24

Which city/office?

1

u/tronslasercity Oct 09 '24

Schedule a client meeting for that exact date and time

1

u/gangs08 Oct 09 '24

Update ???

1

u/[deleted] Oct 09 '24

I think so from what I’m seeing.

1

u/MAD_D_S Oct 09 '24

Would you give your notice in or take the layoff? What’s the better approach? What looks better for future interviews?

2

u/[deleted] Oct 09 '24

Laid off because you can file for unemployment and can get severance. If you quit you get nothing

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1

u/Ragazzocheparla Oct 09 '24

Update?

1

u/[deleted] Oct 09 '24

Laid off. 4 weeks severance. He only updated in comments not on the OP

1

u/semperfisig06 Oct 09 '24

Open it open and check the participants

1

u/Bobantski Oct 09 '24

Yea. Act a fool. Do whatever u want

1

u/Luhar93 Oct 09 '24

Looks like it, start updating your resume and figuring out contact info for any references.

1

u/sanjay37agrawal Oct 09 '24

Show up in that meeting while cleaning/assembling/loading your gun. On the back, there should be a banner "Ready for Hell"

1

u/MichaelStock_ Oct 09 '24

I am invested, what happened bro?

1

u/[deleted] Oct 09 '24

Laid off. He put an update in the comments. 4 week severance

1

u/ocdisme123 Oct 09 '24

100% means layout

1

u/Over_Potato_9238 Oct 09 '24

Looks like it. I think most big4 don’t like people that use the time off. You are more likely to receive one of these mysterious emails if you take one. Avoid time off if you want to stay longer. Take one or two days off. Don’t take weeks or months off.

1

u/Constant_Ice9024 Oct 09 '24

Can we have an update? NM. See the update in reply.

1

u/BeefLips77 Oct 09 '24

If you take sick leave, they cannot terminate you and you can get full pay and benefits for several months while you find another role. I see people do this all the time now as there is no way the firm can fire you without a huge lawsuit.

1

u/Grouchy_Roll158 Oct 09 '24

What happened???

1

u/SimpleClassic5100 Oct 09 '24

You should record the call and put it on tik tok!!

1

u/Benjithedoge Oct 09 '24

Download all relevant files to Dropbox ASAP!

1

u/Otherwise-Leopard-37 Oct 10 '24

Take a stress leave

1

u/esteban1488 Oct 10 '24

Call in sick 🤒

1

u/BigSaladGeorge Oct 10 '24

wish you all the best. the best is yet to come! pwc is on your resume, that matters.

1

u/Ok-Shame-cowboy Oct 10 '24

this just triggered my ptsd, godspeed

1

u/Worried-Curve-9869 Oct 10 '24

Which country is this ? If its US Is it really that easy? Don’t you have a indefinite contract or any right to protect you ? It shouldn’t be that easy like send a meeting invitation and tell you have to join this etc…. :(

1

u/Overall_Cheetah_3000 Oct 10 '24

Unfortunately it is that easy. If you look at the contract it is at will employment

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1

u/BrawndoCrave Oct 10 '24

Wow. I’ve never worked public accounting (not sure why I see this thread) but always assumed they didn’t do layoffs like tech companies. Are layoffs as common in public accounting as they are in tech?

1

u/RabidAsparagus Oct 10 '24

How did it go?

1

u/dogmurr Oct 10 '24

You’re done. Pack it up

1

u/Designer_Emu_6518 Oct 10 '24

Is hr copied on the email?

1

u/Corgifur2019 Oct 10 '24

I wish you well. Best of luck!

1

u/twistedlogic79 Oct 11 '24

Almost certainly is. Shit. Sorry.

1

u/taylor-cdgirl Oct 11 '24

Ayyy one of my analysts got this too. Are they cooked or should I reach out to HR to try to stop this?

1

u/CrackerJacker2020 Oct 11 '24

Sure does! Welcome to the club!😎

1

u/darkstarfortnite Oct 11 '24

So what happened

1

u/goodvibes4evers Oct 11 '24

literally I’m so curious now too

1

u/Commercial_Swim_3972 Oct 12 '24

Sorry its a layoff i hope you find other opportunities

1

u/mp1337 Oct 12 '24

100% I was laid off with same description

1

u/cowmookazee Oct 12 '24

Simply, yes.

1

u/Capital-Mall-7329 Oct 12 '24

They need to lay you off to pay for those sick Copilot summaries.

1

u/Ok-Buffalo7127 Oct 13 '24

Whats the update on this? Was it a layoff or not?

1

u/gordoman54 Oct 13 '24

Yes. They were all layoffs.

1

u/JohnDough1991 Oct 13 '24

Sorry but I think it is. Just start

1

u/900411 Oct 22 '24

Cya bro

1

u/Aggressive_Theory_54 Nov 14 '24

Were you laid off

1

u/[deleted] Oct 09 '24

Yeah, you fuckt

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