Thread regarding IBM layoffs

Has anyone here been affected by an RA and is willing to share their experience?

If you’re comfortable sharing, I’d appreciate hearing about:

  • How many years had you been with the company?
  • What location were you in?
  • Was it a complete surprise, or were there warning signs?
  • Were you placed on a PIP beforehand, or was it unexpected?
  • Were you notified by email, or in a 1:1 meeting?

I think hearing different experiences could help others better understand what to expect.


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| 23 views | | 12 replies (last 12 days ago) | Reply
Post ID: @OP+1kzeyk83r

12 replies (most recent on top)

A new leader was put in place while I was on medical leave. they hired someone to "help" out while I was out. I was RA'ed about a month after I returned from leave - being told my role was now duplicative. This new leader was toxic, played favorites - and still there I hear, which is not surprising. Our HR rep did nothing to help me - she would not even respond to my messages. In the 5 or so years I worked at IBM, I always had glowing reviews, got annual raises/bonuses, and got promoted a few times. Never had a bad review. I saw several very great people get RAed - while several middle-of-the-road employees get promoted because they were just fantastic at kissing the as--s above them. There are so many other places that pay so much better and have managers that actually care. Get out as soon as you can - unless you love what you're working on, have a manager you can actually count on, and are getting paid decently....I did not know a ton of folks that fit all 3 criteria here at IBM after 5 years sadly.

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Post ID: @1v7+1kzeyk83r

44yrs 11month career. Mainframe engineering band 9 in poughkeepsie. Unexpected PIP for 30days to july 8th. I choose the forced retirement path. Last day Aug 31. Cash balance PPA plan.

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Post ID: @14z+1kzeyk83r

Worrying about being RAed gave me constant diarrhea. I was running to the bathroom 24/7, and sometimes I didn't make it. After I was RAed the diarrhea stopped like THAT.

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Post ID: @wp+1kzeyk83r

Top performer in F&O. I was truly a rockstar in every way that mattered. I was a STSM and would have been a distinguished engineer if not for Arvind. But my new VP could care less; the only thing she cared about was protecting herself and "her people" which did not include me.

After 30 years at the job, in many respects I was just getting started - but as soon as I turned 60 and developed some grey hair, it was the end. I was out by November.

Now, unfortunately, despite looking 45, my career is over. I have learned that age discrimination on the Internet by a hiring manager who can just Google you is trivially easy. I don't expect to ever work again. I have contemplated su----e (but won't do it).

No idea what to do about healthcare for my family - the ibm retiree plan wants $40k per year and my Future Health Account will last just 9 months. What a criminal joke. Cobra runs out in Jan. And the ACA has been gutted by Trump. Life is not good.

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Post ID: @q4+1kzeyk83r

@OP How many years had you been with the company? 24 years
What location were you in? Kansas City
Was it a complete surprise, or were there warning signs? No surprise. My manager was an incompetent jack a-s. We knew he would sign up to lay off people to make him look good.
Were you placed on a PIP beforehand, or was it unexpected? No. I was a top performer
Were you notified by email, or in a 1:1 meeting? Saw in the press then got a phone call the next day.

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Post ID: @kz+1kzeyk83r

Had a good run, could’ve left on good terms but they had to drag me through an unnecessary LP rating, PIP and RA. Enjoyed most of my time there, valued the many years of experience and mutual investment but it was all soured by the last few months of corporate scale gas lighting. It’s really Shameful.

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Post ID: @jv+1kzeyk83r

@dz I knew it was a joke even when I worked there. Which may be why they RAed me. LOL

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Post ID: @e3+1kzeyk83r

How many years had you been with the company? 8 years
What location were you in? Raleigh
Was it a complete surprise, or were there warning signs? Total surprise.
Were you placed on a PIP beforehand, or was it unexpected? No PIP, I was a top performer, not that it mattered.
Were you notified by email, or in a 1:1 meeting? 1:1 meeting

Am currently in a new role with promotion and more $$$ so I don't mind, it was one of the best things that happened to me from a career perspective. Once you leave IBM you finally see what a joke it is.

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Post ID: @dz+1kzeyk83r

NARC

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Post ID: @d9+1kzeyk83r

@OP: -
"I think hearing different experiences could help others better understand what to expect."
AskHR provides IBM employees with all the necessary information. It is a good starting point.

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Post ID: @ac+1kzeyk83r

Question to the @OP
1- Who are you ?
2- Why are you asking these questions ?
3- How do you plan to use the information ?

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Post ID: @aa+1kzeyk83r

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