To be absolutely dreading work tomorrow?

I agree with others, you're completely overreacting if you're crying every night.

You just need to go in, do your job and answer any questions.

Honestly OP, you need to start engaging with him and find some costs to cut. Because if you can’t, it will be jobs next. That’s how these things always work. It won’t be a good look for you if he goes back to HO and says you were really obstructive and difficult about necessary changes.

Stop giving feedback and just crack on with your job. Let the poor man get on with his.

I hate to say it but when it comes to cost cuttings roles will always be looked at.

you say he’s got all these idea that are ridiculous and save not much money. Lots of small ideas could add up to quite a bit, and could be the thing that stops a more drastic headcount reduction.

Sorry OP, but you do sound a bit of a drama llama - crying yourself to sleep for two weeks because you disagree with someone’s ideas on cutting costs?

Unless there’s more to the story, it’s a huge overreaction! Is there something else going on too?

Op on the basis of this thread, I’m wondering whether he is having a very tricky time trying to engage with you about this matter?

I have to be honest here, OP, most people with your reaction to this simply don’t want to do things different. They are reluctant and often call things ‘impossible’ that are simply outside a person or team’s usual ways.

The suggestions might seem ineffective or like they will only save a little but I suppose if this exercise is taking place over all sites then it all adds up?

Anyway, it can help to try and detach yourself and take the emotion out of it. If your job isn’t at risk then yes it’s added pressure, but presumably the job of your site to implement (or evidence why you can’t) the suggestions. If it is seriously impacting you however I would suggest trying to have someone else lead on this. Five weeks is a long time anyway, is there someone more senior you can escalate and explain how it’s affecting you at work to?

But if the company are looking to cut costs this seriously, and they are going to all sites, then the company must be under financial pressure. You don't put this much effort into cutting costs for fun. If they find nothing sustainable, it might be jobs or even entire sites next. So put it in perspective. If you know of ways to cut costs that haven't been thought of, tell them.

I do appreciate that you are upset, but your reaction does seem somewhat over the top - you may not have suffered from depression in the past but it sounds like you may be now. Is this the only thing that is going on to make you feel down? Perhaps a trip to the GP or some time off sick to recover your balance?

Do you give feedback on why his ideas are impractical?

Can you use the exercise as an opportunity to get some of the things that you would like or that you can see would improve the operation? E.g. If you had a new machine for X, the task could be done in half the time or for half the cost.

Finance people don't like spending money, but start talking cost vs. benefit and you're speaking their language. Make sure to document everything too, so you've shown that you've tried to contribute positively if (or when) the shit hits the fan and the finance guy's fantastic ideas result in more costs rather than any cost savings.

Please get a grip. All companies do these exercises from time to time. Most of us have to do it with our home finances now and again too. It's a completely sensible and normal activity.

Well, if there aren't any significant cost cutting strategies to implement, maybe you should suggest to him that he heads back to HO early, and makes himself redundant. That would save some money.

It’s your management doing due diligence across several sites by the sounds of it that they’re not wasting money.

treat it as a good management exercise that they’re looking into things like this to protect the business and by association protect your job and salary.

take the emotion out of it. He’s not looking for failures or excuses from you personally. If his suggestions are ridiculous then his report will flag up there’s minimal savings to be made from your site and management will look elsewhere.

things good business practise surely?

People are being unusually harsh to the OP here, is it a different crew in on a Sunday or something?

Crying yourself to sleep every night for 2 weeks and crying now is a bit over the top for the circumstances don’t you think?

He’s just the messenger OP
he can’t be imposing anything

Why though?

It's annoying when ridiculous cost cutting measures are put in place, but you don't own the business and at least you've still got a job.

None of us know what the future holds.

Just try and treat tomorrow like any other annoying day you need to get through.

Op, so what if his suggestions are all unrealistic? Will you be responsible for implementing? Has he been critical of you?

and HO won’t follow recommendations without consultation as to feasibility

Just start job-hunting elsewhere.

Wish you good luck - it's a horrible situation to be in - the possible irony being that he may also be dreading it, and racking his brains to come up with something that he knows he's under pressure to find and report on. Kind of needs him to say 'f*ck this for a game of soldiers, I really don't know' 🤔 Just try to keep your calm, it sounds like it's been a horrible experience for you. Take care.