I'm sure you saw the recent viral video from ex-Cloudflare employee BP that is making its rounds and having an outpouring of empathy on social media as she recorded her layoff. Now that employee had only 4 months of service when she was laid off. I want to put things into context here if I may. I too was laid off from IBM by someone I didn't know and with no explanation after decades as a key performer. Do you think the viral video is going to change how IBM lays its employees off?
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advice from a gray beard inside ibm - the decisions on who is selected is a Band 5 new hire in a low cost country looking at a series for excel files.
That made the most sense to me.
Some massively underpaid person deciding on the fates of 100s or 1000s of staff.
Layoffs and terminations are far more personal than we think. Years ago a project manager told me that our client, while very warm and kind in our face, likes to “keep score” behind our backs. I’ve never forgotten this statement. We are constantly being watched, tested, and challenged by upper management and / or clients. So the evergreeen advice stands: Work hard, be kind, and help others. Don’t expect anything in return. Let them keep score. We should just keep marching on.
Incompetent HR in that video.
"And then an hour later, she got laid off. We both finished up the same day. "
LOL!!
That's usually the way it works at IBM... If I was a manager I would be sh-t-scared when my management ask me to layoff someone... this is practically assured that I am next!
Nope.
Why anyone would consider IBM at this point is beyond me.
International Bowel Movement.
When I got laid off, my manager did it. No one else was involved. The decision was by my 3rd line.
And then an hour later, she got laid off. We both finished up the same day.
And then I came back as a contractor and resumed doing the same job.
IBM does not care about employees, it only cares about its finances. But so should you, so if you find a better opportunity somewhere you should leave without regrets.
After decades as a key performer, you are well aware of how IBM behaves with respect to its employees. Nothing that happens to you or anyone else should be a surprise to you, and you already know (or should know) how IBM will respond to some video on social media.
IBM is beyond caring about traditions and social niceties. They are out of cash, and survival of the company is their biggest concern right now.
Simple answer. No. They don’t care.