Thread regarding SAS Institute layoffs

2024 resolutions

What are your resolutions? Here are mine.

  • Get a golf tan as deep and luxurious as BH at an R&D all hands.
  • Start my own book club to rival JPs.
    First book: Doing more with less.
    Second book: 101 (stolen) peanut butter recipes.
  • Accept that my salary is embarrassing low because I am a terrible technology worker.
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| 4022 views | | 46 replies (last January 16, 2024) | Reply
Post ID: @OP+1qy9isGs

46 replies (most recent on top)

  • Technological change may affect older workers through the need to learn new skills. Firms may not find it beneficial to invest in teaching new skills to workers with a shorter career horizon; older workers may also be less likely to engage in such training, since the perceived benefit may be limited given the limited remaining years of employment. This effect can be magnified by the generosity of pension and unemployment insurance programs. *

This was the emphasized part. The text treatment didn't change as expected.

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Post ID: @3bzy+1qy9isGs

@3ryd+1qy9isGs

Thank you for that. There is a linked article about "AI and the Future of Work" linked at the beginning of your source. It is interesting reading:

https://www.imf.org/en/Publications/Staff-Discussion-Notes/Issues/2024/01/14/Gen-AI-Artificial-Intelligence-and-the-Future-of-Work-542379?cid=bl-com-SDNEA2024001

It's 42 pages. On page 15, I found this interesting paragraph:

Older workers may be less adaptable and face additional barriers to mobility, as reflected in their lower likelihood of reemployment after termination. Following job termination, older workers are less likely to secure new employment within a year than young and prime-age workers (Figure 7). Several factors can explain this discrepancy. First, older workers’ skills, though once in high demand, may now be obsolete as a result of rapid technological advances. Moreover, after significant time in a particular location, they may have geographic and emotional ties, such as to a spouse and children, that discourage them from relocation for new job opportunities. Financial obligations accumulated over the years might also make them less likely to accept positions with a pay cut. Last, having invested many years, if not decades, in a particular sector or occupation, there may be a natural reluctance or even a perceptual barrier to a transition to entirely new roles or industries. This may reflect a combination of comfort with familiar settings, concern about the learning curve in a new domain, or perceived age bias. These constraints are likely to be relevant also in the context of AI-induced disruptions.

On page 16, this one:
Historically, older workers have demonstrated less adaptability to technological advances; artificial intelligence may present a similar challenge for this demographic group. After unemployment, older workers previously employed in high-exposure and high-complementarity occupations are less likely to find jobs in the same category of occupation than prime-age workers (Figure 7). This difference in the reemployment dynamics can reflect technological change, changes in workers’ preferences, and age-related biases or stereotypes in the hiring processes in high-complementarity and high-exposure occupations. * Technological change may affect older workers through the need to learn new skills. Firms may not find it beneficial to invest in teaching new skills to workers with a shorter career horizon; older workers may also be less likely to engage in such training, since the perceived benefit may be limited given the limited remaining years of employment. This effect can be magnified by the generosity of pension and unemployment insurance programs. * These channels align with Braxton and Taska (2023), which finds that technology contributes 45 percent of earnings losses following unemployment. This happens primarily because workers lacking new skills
move to jobs where their existing skills are valued but that garner lower wages.

Special note to the part emphasized (emphasis mine).

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Post ID: @3rfr+1qy9isGs

"how do you even get a tech job in the world today."

Good luck getting tech job if you are 50+ years of age and a white heteros-xual male. Your age and DEI mean your job hunt is likely going to be very lengthy in this era where discrimination is fixed by more discrimination.

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Post ID: @3tmp+1qy9isGs

Fantastic for the billionaire+ class. Not so fabulous for those who still have to work.

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Post ID: @3rir+1qy9isGs

Bill Gates said that the improvements with OpenAI’s ChatGPT-4 were “dramatic” because it can “essentially read and write” thus it’s “almost like having a white collar worker to be a tutor, to give health advice, to help write code, to help with technical support calls.” He said that incorporating that technology into the education or medical sectors will be “fantastic.”

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Post ID: @3bzc+1qy9isGs

Be prepared for AI. Things could change drastically in just 5 years.

The International Monetary Fund this week reported that about 40% of jobs around the world could be affected by the rise of AI. IMF said AI would deepen inequality without intervention from politicians.

https://www.imf.org/en/Blogs/Articles/2024/01/14/ai-will-transform-the-global-economy-lets-make-sure-it-benefits-humanity

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Post ID: @3ryd+1qy9isGs

@3wku+1qy9isGs

I'm working on my Death of Despair!

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Post ID: @3ejm+1qy9isGs

@3wku+1qy9isGs

A solid exit plan is necessary, even if that includes moving to a small rural area where housing is much less expensive, or acquiring a plot of land in such a place, building a tiny house and planting a garden.

Prestonwood country club living is not all it’s cracked up to be! Downsize, live within your means and you should be fine.

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Post ID: @3vgn+1qy9isGs

What hope is there really for us 55+ folks still here? I think we are just holding onto the train as it speed, a flame, to its final destination. I think JG is not about to give up more money on packages. He will wait for the next bad guy to take care of head count issues. And how do you even get a tech job in the world today. I guess I better learn to ask "do you want that biggie sized?".

I should focus on my physical and mental health instead of my job, thats for sure.

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Post ID: @3wku+1qy9isGs

@3eng+1qy9isGs

Brought to you by Siri voice dictation 🤓

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Post ID: @3tbg+1qy9isGs

“table steaks” - thanks for the good laugh. LOL.

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Post ID: @3eng+1qy9isGs

@3xrk+1qy9isGs
I agree with you but believe it or not, SAS also wants their developers and testers to learn Python but some still refuse to learn it and make it a priority to learn it.

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Post ID: @3zsg+1qy9isGs

@3ipw+1qy9isGs

My intent was not to discourage anyone, but simply to point out that many people believe learning Python, JavaScript, etc. Is still enough for entry level to minimal-prior-experience tech jobs. These days much more is needed.

If you are an established analytics/data/etc. professional, with the correct education/experience/domain expertise, etc. and to continue excelling in the field requires learning new tools like Python programming, then by all means be encouraged to do so. SAS as a language and programming tool set is becoming less relevant by the year.

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Post ID: @3xrk+1qy9isGs

@3mxg+1qy9isGs

The reason I said to make learning Python a number one resolution is so that one can have option on finding another job. Just knowing SAS alone is not good for one's career going forward if one is not near retirement age.

Sure, ChatGPT can do a lot of things. It can generate code in many languages, including Python, R, STATA and even SAS. Yes, ChatGPT can generate SAS code, certainly at the beginner and intermediate level and maybe one day even complex, optimized, production-level code. As AI and chatGPT advance, it will be a very scary world for a lot of the rank and file workers of the world.

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Post ID: @3ipw+1qy9isGs

@2ikx+1qy9isGs

Not to sound flip, but I’m guessing several million people across the world are thinking the same thing. Meanwhile ChatGPT and other AI-based technologies will generate entry to intermediate level Python code with ease. Unless someone has significant domain specific expertise, then simply adding the most popular programming language to their tool belt is table steaks at this point, don’t you think?

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Post ID: @3mxg+1qy9isGs

I don’t do New Year’s resolutions but in 2024 I endeavor to:

  • - Be grateful for good times had with former colleagues during many good years at SAS
  • - Hope the best for many friends who remain at SAS, some of whom are a decade or more away from retirement.
  • - Thankful JG continues to distribute $millions and $millions in scholarship money. Paying it forward is important and it’s good that he is doing that for us since we didn’t get equity when company revenue was growing precipitously for the first 25 years (1976-2001) and we worked our @$$’s off!
  • - Forget about tech
  • - Never use ChatGPT
  • - Pet some neighborhood dogs
  • - Start really enjoying retirement
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Post ID: @3elc+1qy9isGs

To add to @2ikx+1qy9isGs:

Find a series of personal projects to program. It will make learning Python much more tangible and enjoyable.

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Post ID: @3oqc+1qy9isGs

"Whether you agree with that or not is immaterial to the English language."

Whaaat? Were you the author of the post about the temple?

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Post ID: @2xan+1qy9isGs

“To quit this company.” and others like it are very much about not wanting to be at SAS. Whether you agree with that or not is immaterial to the English language.

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Post ID: @2kbw+1qy9isGs

It was not a Freudian slip but rather an ai auto correct which really makes it scary.

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Post ID: @2pbc+1qy9isGs

The "whining" is not about not wanting to be at SAS. The "whining" is about the cognitive dissonance of being told "all is well!" when you start to smell smoke in the building.

Like when you can sense something is "off" with the situation and the culture. But you're being told that "everything is just fine!" Meanwhile, you continue to see indicators that all is not well. You share your concerns, only to be invalidated again. This is the culture of SAS.

The "whining" is all the other people finally getting the courage to say "I smelled smoke too, but I was afraid to mention it because I'd be black-balled by the others." This site started with layoffs, but has morphed into a message board for others to safely share their experiences with the cognitive dissonance baked into the SAS culture. Whether you like it or not is immaterial to the discussion.

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Post ID: @2ptv+1qy9isGs

@2itt+1qy9isGs

“I have zero doubt ai could get a job elsewhere if I wanted.”

Was that a Freudian slip? Perhaps AI could get your job 😅?

Seriously, in the tech sector, it's quite difficult to get a good job now. Well-qualified friends have been looking for months. The market may not have digested all the layoffs from the FAANGs last year.

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Post ID: @2uer+1qy9isGs

"See?! What'd I tell ya?"
[sp-t] "Now look Oddball, the trade for the uniforms, I can understand. But to buy this tank, you gotta be crazy!"
"C'mon, it's a beautiful tank!"
"It's a piece of junk. The fuel system leaks all over the place. It's a piece of junk!"
"Always with the negative waves, Moriarty, always with the negative waves."
"Yohohohoho [forward] yohoho!"

The "If you don't like it, why don't you just up and quit" argument reminds me of this scene for some odd reason.

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Post ID: @2pwo+1qy9isGs

"I’m here on the layoff to hear about layoffs…. Which all the whining about not wanting to be at SAS has nothing to do with."

What made no sense is your statement above in quotes.

The "whining" about not wanting to be at SAS is because SAS lays off people is why a lot of people are on the layoff site which makes total sense.

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Post ID: @2ljg+1qy9isGs

"Why don't you knock it off with them negative waves! Why don't you dig how beautiful it is out here? Why don't you say something righteous and hopeful for a change?"

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Post ID: @2qzs+1qy9isGs

"I am worried about my job and the future of SAS. That is what makes it so frustrating hearing all the people that don’t actually want to be there."

So you are worried but you just don't want to hear negative news or opinions about SAS? You just want us to praise SAS no matter what? If it is frustrating for you, stop visiting this site and get all upset when people say things you don't agree. Here at the layoffs we talk about things as they are, truths, good, bad and all.

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Post ID: @2bkv+1qy9isGs

Even if it is "whiny", everyone can whine on this site, even the ones that whine about their posts got deleted.

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Post ID: @2jah+1qy9isGs

“If you're not worried at all about your job at SAS or the future at SAS then good for you but really why be on the layoff site, to snoop and defend SAS against the ones that were traumatized by SAS? Are you HR or in management?”

I don’t think I can be more clear that I am on the layoff site to hear about layoffs.

Snoop… What does that even mean? You think SAS gives a sh-t what is talked about on here?

I am worried about my job and the future of SAS. That is what makes it so frustrating hearing all the people that don’t actually want to be there.

HR or management? Wrong again.

I have zero doubt ai could get a job elsewhere if I wanted.

As for the trauma thing. I get corporate can be tough. Layoffs tough. But it is also the place that gave many of you a very comfortable life for quite some time. The bulk of the worlds population would call your trauma a walk in the park and welcome it.

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Post ID: @2itt+1qy9isGs

@2fuf+1qy9isGs
To you it's whiny but to many of us, it's trauma bonding. People are here to share their experience. Unhappy people are still at SAS because they cannot leave yet but they know the handwriting is on the wall and what the future can be for SAS and they will leave when the opportunity allows them. If you're not worried at all about your job at SAS or the future at SAS then good for you but really why be on the layoff site, to snoop and defend SAS against the ones that were traumatized by SAS? Are you HR or in management?

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Post ID: @2myh+1qy9isGs

@2ndl+1qy9isGs “Not all talk at all. Many already left and many more will be leaving. Many are planning to leave when the time is right for them.”

I pretty clearly am not talking about the “many” that already left. I’m talking about the whiny folks on here that are still at SAS despite all the talk. That is literally all talk until such a time as it isn’t. Maybe it will happen but if I was so miserable and pessimistic I would leave immediately.

“ If you're so sensitive and does not like what you hear on this forum, why are you here?
This place is called the layoff for a reason.”

That made no sense at all. I’m here on the layoff to hear about layoffs…. Which all the whining about not wanting to be at SAS has nothing to do with. If you don’t want to be there leave. Or maybe start a new site called whinyalltalk.com

If many more are leaving as you say then do it and lower headcount and the chances of layoff impacts for those that want to be there.

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Post ID: @2fuf+1qy9isGs

Make learning Python a number one resolution. You can definitely learn it for free on your own. There are many free tutorials on the web and youtube. You just need to spend the time to do it, even if it is on your own private time.

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Post ID: @2ikx+1qy9isGs

"Someone can’t handle hearing the truth that calls for people to have the courage of their very vocal convictions. All talk."

Not all talk at all. Many already left and many more will be leaving. Many are planning to leave when the time is right for them.

If you're so sensitive and does not like what you hear on this forum, why are you here?
This place is called the layoff for a reason.

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Post ID: @2ndl+1qy9isGs

Most people can’t quit SAS “immediately”, because the tech sector job market is so tough right now. Even highly qualified people need many months to find a job.

If I wanted to quit SAS, I’d resolve to do it over the next couple of years, and upgrade my skills and my network in the meantime.

Every employee who’s not near retirement should make this resolution.

Every employee should recognize that there's a worst case scenario, in two or three years, under new ownership, with a 50% layoff. That’s what Broadcom or similar companies would do.

It may not happen, but that’s why we plan for the worst case: so we don’t get caught by it.

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Post ID: @2qww+1qy9isGs

@1pvx+1qy9isGs I wasn’t saying it got deleted immediately but rather that folks who feel strongly enough to have a new year resolution to quit should do it immediately.

But I do see how it could be read that way.

In any case…

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Post ID: @2yzz+1qy9isGs

"Wow my response suggesting that someone with a resolution to quit SAS should stop whining and quit immediately got deleted."

That comment wasn't immediately deleted. It remained for some time, collected several downvotes, and then the moderation system determined its disposition.

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Post ID: @1pvx+1qy9isGs

Grow up and take responsibility for your bad design, implementation, and management.

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Post ID: @1jsh+1qy9isGs

Wow my response suggesting that someone with a resolution to quit SAS should stop whining and quit immediately got deleted.

Someone can’t handle hearing the truth that calls for people to have the courage of their very vocal convictions. All talk.

Harsh_Vibe indeed

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Post ID: @1gvx+1qy9isGs

"...As an ex-SAS employee who now gets a lot more LinkedIn enquires from recruiters now I'm working for a more desirable tech company, my new years resolution is to continue to direct recruiters to my former colleagues at SAS as a potential source of candidates in the hope that I save another former colleague's career..."

I resolve to continue gnawing at the rope of the SAS albatross around my neck. Soon, it will break free.

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Post ID: @1dql+1qy9isGs

As an ex-SAS employee who now gets a lot more LinkedIn enquires from recruiters now I'm working for a more desirable tech company, my new years resolution is to continue to direct recruiters to my former colleagues at SAS as a potential source of candidates in the hope that I save another former colleague's career.

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Post ID: @1rhz+1qy9isGs

To quit this company.

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Post ID: @eij+1qy9isGs

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