I’m an editor at Reuters, and we’re doing a story about layoffs at Cisco and elsewhere that looks at the shift in the tech industry from hardware to software and services. I’m wondering if you’ve received inquiries from Cisco employees (or at other... — read more 

How are we letting non-technical managers make technical decisions?

After 18 years with Cisco I got the axe last week along with a quite a few members of my team and my boss. Even today I still have mixed feelings about it. On the one hand I'm relieved. Relieved to not be dealing with the politics, the lack of a... — read more 

Just curious, is anyone contacting EEOC to open a case regarding LR age discrimination? It was very clear that age was a huge factor in the LR.

Or stick only if you dont get job anywhere else

There are too many Managers/Directors who are not very strong. Most of them don't have real people/technical skills. Not to mention their English, Chinese, Indian and Russian Managers / Directors have very poor language skills. The All-hands meetings... — read more 

Really....what is HR Fran's "People Deal"? I've been listening to her and her HR folks talk about this since the beginning and I still really don't understand what this new HR paradigm shift got us. Before we had the soul-crushing stack-raking. It... — read more 

Curious...how many of you immediately walked when you got your notice vs still reporting doing a "warm hand-off?"

The sting. I was 95% convinced I was out. Yet again my intuition served me right. I got the swift kick in the rear. Regardless, still stings. For me it was blue badge vs. red badge. I was the only one at my level with a blue badge in our group. I was... — read more 

I've seen a few posters mention some "McKinsey" plan or strategy. It is some consulting company I presume....can anyone elaborate on this strategy or plan Cisco has adopted from them ?

Is anybody working in Spark getting laid off? Or is it mostly hardware dinosaurs? ;)

Who was advising C Level on how to plan and implement this round, BCG? McKinsey? Accenture?

I spoke with people from San Jose and heard few stories... For example a story of a guy who has been mostly working from home recently, because he had to take care of his wife after an accident. He was doing 100% of the work, had brilliant history... — read more 

I impacted but am not sad. My wife not happy. The problem was I stay too long at Cisco, which made my brain to hurt and I drool on myself during endless webex and stupid meetings with dumb sales pigs. Im happy to finaly leave with some package so I... — read more 

When are LR's over in US?

Never thought it would happen to me! But reality is that .. I got laid off ! For the last 6 years worked for the company with honesty, but would not say worked hard!.. there was no need since I was good in making things happen on time. Yes... — read more 

From 12 hours a day and 7 days a week in the 19the Century, it became 8 hours and 5 days a week in the 20th Century. In view of the automation and the resulting productivity gains, 21st Century workday should be 4 hours and 3 days weekend for... — read more 

I always envied all those who had the privilege to work in Tech Sector. The office politics may be bad, but most of you live in Silicon Valley. So what differs a Cisco from a mature Tech Company?

Who can code & troubleshoot in C, C++, Java,Python etc examine core files crash dumps instead of being an email only manager.

For those who were cut.. when can we file for unemployment.. At the end of September when we're released from Cisco or at the end of October because of the "pay in lieu" month??

I understan that US is now done. Anyone knows when EMA is coming? UK especially?

I am 40+ and my manager has been critical of me for months yet I was not laid off. I got sick of all the political crap, constant changes in my role completely different than I was hired for, and lack of clear direction so I resigned. No one should... — read more 

told a dir. to save them from team retaliation for firing few folks. some managers are leading the same team for over 15 yrs. have formed a closed group/comfortable/cozy group with a few of the folks in the team whom they "save" in every LR... — read more 

30K eliminated so far

I was one of the giant telecoms' ex employees who got laid of a couple years ago in my 40's. I feel for the affected folks at cisco though some of you might probably have saved a lot to weather through the upcoming unemployed days and some might not... — read more 

WSJ published an article that basically equated being a Cisco employee to suffering death by 1,000 cuts. Rumor is that one Marketing team's ex-military VP sh--canned all its intelligent women who did all of the work. Of course & OMG, these ladies... — read more 

Does anyone know if the rsu grant will happen this fall after the LR? Also, do we know if we get more now there be fewer people? Is this HR question?

The group that supported our labs lost 3 people about a month ago. No one thought they would take another hit, in fact everyone else scrambled around worrying. Wednesday everyone slower heard the news that the boss and manager over the group were let... — read more 

Yep, I got the call. I thought of shouting, "But I have people skills!" but refrained. I did get my revenge on the "PC Load Letter" copier, though. Soon, the only one left at Cisco will be Milton and his Swingline stapler. For those who've seen the... — read more 

One lesson I have learned from the past, dont live fear and hope to ride it out. Update your resume asap, and begin looking. In hindsight, it is better to be layed off in the first round, and look for work before the market saturates. Before the... — read more 

Anybody in Europe got their 1-1 meeting booked yet?

Not LR-ed but wanted to know - if you are cut, can you get Unemployment benefits - I am asking because of the severance payment as I think that severance will render you ineligible for unemployment - not sure how EDD looks at this but if you have... — read more 

In my org, top grade levels were hit. I know of 2 GL 12s, 1 GL 11 and a Director. Lots of knowledge and experience slashed.

I was LR'd after 16 years and have been told no ER package but want to see if anyone is aware of anyone being offered and ER?