I have to ask how are the rest of you handling the uncertainty of not knowing whose head will be chopped off either in the next layoffs round or once the acquisition goes through? I've tried to ignore it, I've done my best to not think about it, but it always comes back. It's tiring.
13 replies (most recent on top)
I'm ready to leave VMware. I'm don't fear a layoff mandated by Broadcom. I say bring it on. The passive-aggressive culture is enough to make me leave, with no regrets.
not just IT, all jobs subject to whims of the business model, strategy, and equity compensation at the top.
there's only certainty in the skills you have and an ability to adapt to change.
if it's impacting your health, then you should leave, if not try some exercise to get ur mind off of things
This is the IT industry, what’s actually been unusual is the long period of stability, layoffs and job uncertainty is what usually comes with the territory simply because of the nature of IT and constant change.
So forget VMware and the Broadcom acquisition. If you find uncertainty tiring then you may be better finding a career in another industry. Best mindset to adopt is that ALL jobs in IT are contract jobs that can end on a whim. View each month at VMware as an extension to a contract and that it’s good news. Be a bit mercenary, (remember you’re a resource as far as any company is concerned), make sure you’re leaving nothing on the table, claim your well-being allowance, use all your benefits etc.
You should be considering what’s happening as an extended period of notice, put money away where possible, get skilled up, many folks at AWS, Meta, Google, Microsoft haven’t been so lucky…..
I was pretty terrified about it during the winter months but after seeing so many other engineers laid off in other companies, I’ve come to accept that it’s likely and not worth worrying over. Chances are it’ll have nothing to do with your performance and there’s no way to prevent it. The decisions made will be made by people levels above you who probably have never met you. It’ll be hard if/when it happens but save some money where you can, take care of yourself, and the world won’t collapse.
Our C suites guys are selling our jobs to these MSPs and enjoying their golf and heavy bonuses.
This is the way
It is not about only VMware lay offs but generally IT landscape is changing at rapid pace. Every customer I face have some portion of managed services running from India. Our C suites guys are selling our jobs to these MSPs and enjoying their golf and heavy bonuses.
Plan for the future. It's most likely going to be OK through September 2023 given currently regulatory timelines. After that don't expect to have any guarantees of employment. I am planning to be laid off anytime after Oct 1.
You are alone are responsible for your future. That’s all I can say.
I expect 70% to be retained (at least initially) and 30% to be layoff based on my department revenues.
But I don't care so much. I'm single, no committment or responsabilities. Even if I'm not enthusiastic about the idea I can move elsewhere or change country in the worst case scenario. I have a lot of savings and I'm skilled on in demand techs (Cloud, K8s, data and several programming languages).
In the worst case scenario I will take notice+severance going 6 months to surfing and then think about what to do.
I've come to fully accept being chopped, and ironically so has my boss. We've both chatted about it, and it's now a case of wait for the severance for the both of us. Once that happens, then look a job. Once you accept that you're going to be chopped, then it's much much easier.
I’m exhausted by it all and also expecting the chop.
Why worry about something entirely within your control? If it's that bad, quit. No job is worth it.
If you have decided to continue working at vmw and see the whole thing through… You’ll feel better if you have the mentality that you’ll be chopped eventually, receive the package, enjoy some time off and then seek out your next adventure. If you are not prepared for this… then you better start searching now. 2c