3 month package, effective 30 days, US, not for performance reasons. Could you give me some advice?
28 replies (most recent on top)
Blame the whites also like Krabanaugh Slob Thomas and the rest of the PipMunks
Lay the blame of layoffs directly at Alvind's door, and if you can, tie it to both Krabanaugh and RT the co-k suc-er. Everyone in the industry knows who these sl--eball characters are we just have to ensure that they won't have much of a career after IBM.
Best they can do is boast on the TV circuit like Ginni (and Tonic) that they were the best people at IBM. The rest of us know the truth of their statements.
Whatever you do - make sure you blame an Indian first - looks like that's in fashion nowadays!
I was part of the mass terminations in 1992 - when IBM on your resume was evil. Guage your reactions accordingly and having a "once super large computer company" just won't do it. Agree short term pain but you'll get something with such experience.
@e4 that really SU-KS they are taking you out after 25 yrs in the US which means you are in your 40s or 50s. If you were customer facing many ex IBM people went on to have decades long success working at IBM business partners. I guess you do not want to share what brand/product org etc which is understandable. I was laid off at age 50 and got reseated for another 14 yrs. Terrible just about every job req from IBM in print etc mentions early career recent college grades and never has any pictures of white males over 40. It is intentional, illegal and immoral with mgrs quietly off the record being told you have to hire based on race, gender, s-x, age, skin color, etc. Short term you face some pain and worry etc. Mid to long term you will be so much better and happier getting out of there. It is the absolute worst dumpster fire to be in right now.
@ax Thank You
@ak over 25 years, US
What @ak said below needs repeating. Your next job will come from reaching out to your network of people you worked with in the past not applying to jobs on LI. At least 80% of those jobs posted on LI are fake jobs to satisfy government H1B/PERM regulations that require companies to provide proof they couldn't find an American, they have NO INTENT of actually hiring anyone.
Be aware of signing up for LinkedIn Premium for your job search - once you sign up, they make it very difficult for you to cancel the service - their hook is the one month free. Some might find it useful, but I know of a few who did not. It is just another way to get money out of your pocket at a time, when you might not be able to take on extra monthly expenses.
Your mileage will vary...
There are a lot of resume type scams out there - they are cleverly disguised to tell you that your resume is not good enough and they can do a better job. Avoid them like the plague. Lensa is one of the worst.
Given the number of people out of work and looking for jobs, networking is likely the best way to look for new jobs. The online job sites - Indeed, LinkedIn, Glassdoor are flooded with job applicants right now. The ATS (Applicant Tracking System) system doesn't work too well. That's what happens when the US gives the best jobs to India without considering the consequences. The immigration system needs a thorough shake-up and a clean-up.
Hear hear !!
They aren’t your friends. Now there’s nothing wrong with being cordial however I have existing family and friends .
On a general level I have no animosity to anyone at work. But that’s my limit
They don’t need to know my personal life
If I get RA’d I’ll give them what they need in reference to tasks but working late hours and going into the office ? eff that
This is what we call a useful post and a good dude!!!!
I learned a long time ago that you have almost no real friends at work. I had disappointment after disappointment, so it's not even personal, fake people abound.
That doesn't reflect on you one bit, but on them.
Perhaps another reason why this change (as much as it may s_ u-k at first) it will be a good change for you.
You'll see!
Hopefully this will not happen to you, but it happened to me and it might be wise to prepare yourself psychologically. Some of your coworkers might shun you. I had three coworkers stop talking to me, two of whom actually pretended they didn't see me when I walked past them. (Fu--ing a--holes.) Most of my coworkers were sympathetic and even apologetic. Best of luck.
First, I am sorry to hear of your situation.
This is probably a hard time and please know that you already on the right track by being proactive. Keep going -- action alleviates anxiety. Take control and plan your next steps. Here are some suggestions to get you started.
Before you leave IBM, here are 12 actions to get ready to find a new job:
(1) While it will be hard to stay positive near term, be sure you don't burn any bridges internally before you leave. IBMers know alot of people and will be good references for you and they may know of open positions elsewhere and/or could refer recruiters to you.
(2) Do a quick audit of your skills -- are they current? the skills that people want now? If you need to buff up your skills, now is the time to take advantage of all the free education at IBM and earn some new badges. Once you get outside, you may have to pay to get re-skilled. Better to take advantage of IBM’s free education resources now.
(3) Start getting connected with fellow IBMers on LinkedIn now, before you leave. Once you leave, people may be less inclined to link with you. Of course, when you reach out to them on LinkedIn there is no need to reveal that you want to connect because you have been RA'd. You can share that at a future time when you are ready to network.
(4) Get your LinkedIn profile updated -- lots of good advice online about how to shine. Since you are still working for another 3 months, there is no need to put anything about your laid-off status or use the “Open to Work” emblem on your profile.
(5) Update your resume -- while you can do it yourself, I suggest you invest $200 to have a professional help you. Here's a service my HR Partner recommends www.topresume.com/
(6) Since you are in the US, get on the phone with the Money Smart program team and have them provide an assessment of your 401K and finances. This will let you know where you stand financially. The Money Smart program is free, so take advantage of it. Also check if you have a Future Health Account on the Fidelity NetBenefits site under Health Insurance.
(7) In the US, depending on what State you reside in, you may or may not be paid for your unused Personal Choice Days. If you will not get paid for your Personal Choice days, I would suggest you use your Personal Choice days instead of vacation days.
(8) In the US, save all your vacation days since IBM will pay you for those days that you have accrued and not used.
(9) If you have an Anniversary coming up (Quarter Century etc), look on w3 to see what you are eligible for -- and think about how you want to handle it before you leave.
(10) If you have Blue Points, cash them in and treat yourself to something.
(11) Download your Checkpoint and PBC history and documents. You will want to refer to them later when you are interviewing and people ask about your work experiences and performance.
(12) Download your Think40 history so you remember all the courses you have taken and the learning you have done. This will be good fodder for your updated resume and will demonstrate that you are a life long learner.
And here is relevant advice from a few years ago: https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/6-things-id-do-i-got-laid-off-ibm-j-t-o-donnell
Best of luck! Ever onward
Agreed definitely on the filing for UE
That’s not a freebie. We pay taxes into that system so we are basically getting some of our money back
dentist, annual physical, colonoscopy if over 50, eye exam, immunizations, update will if signed up to the legal plan.
let your co-worker know that you are looking, share your resume with your co-worker, let them look out for you. You find out who is your friend fast.
@an,
Great idea, but that's a waste of good eggs.
Large Dog tu*ds and rotten tomatoes might be a better alternative, particularly if left in Alvind's office.
IBM stinks to high heaven....let the management get the message loud and clear.
And you don't have to tell anyone (not even your closest friends at IBM if you don't want to ) about what happened and you've been RA'd - it's between your manager and you, and it's Confidential. And your manager has to keep their mouth shut, unless you decide that want to make it public knowledge. As for training your replacement , you make the rules about that. Other have addressed that already. IBM likes stealth and secrecy about RAs, so let them get a dose of their own medicine.
Most of all, remember this - HR is not your friend. Nor are IBM's lawyers as someone has mentioned already. The post IBM package looks good on paper but it's a load of tripe. Particularly the Randstadt outplacement garbage if they are still using it.
The only winners are Alvind and his pathetic Pipmunks at this time.
At some point before you leave, bring a dozen eggs to the office. When nobody's around, drop each egg into a non-visible area (behind file cabinets, between cubicle walls, etc.). Leave with a smile.
No point fighting it. Get what you need off your laptop. Do not expect any help from your mgr or HR since IBM no longer has HR other than a horrendous bot. DO ON DAY 1 FILE FOR UNEMPLOYMENT. SO MANY people do not file because they think it is only for poor people or embarrassing etc. BS. During Covid people were making more money on unemployment than working but those over the top benefits are no longer. In most states filing is easy and done online of via phone. DO NOT WAIT. Ask people to write recommendations for you on LinkedIn LI. If you are not on LI, get on it ASAP and you can make it much like your resume. Your next job WILL NOT be found applying to hundreds or thousands of jobs most of which are phantom posts. Your next job will be from your network or friend or someone you worked with etc. Do not pigeon hole yourself in your job search. The odds are likely you will have to take on a new role that may be quite from from your IBM role. BTW what was your role and how many years and location?
No point fighting it. IBM's lawyers are great liars who will almost certainly win. And if you do somehow maintain your job, IBM will make it he-l. They'll find a reason to fire you. E.g., your job is being moved across the country, move or voluntarily resign without severance. If you've really been there as long as you suggest, you should know all this already.
So is today RA day then?
@OP Thank You, this helps. Any point fighting it? any checklist I could follow?
@ab Thank You for the reply. Is there a point in fighting it? 3 months package is nothing given my tenure. Any action plan you would recommend?
"Don’t go out of your way too much to show people who will be taking over your work.........."
Exactly - DO NOT give in to any urge to play martyred good-guy (or gal) here; NOBODY deserves to benefit from your knowledge and expertise acquired by the sweat of your brow - except your next employer.
Good luck.
What a pompous j3rk you are
It’s better you keep your mouth shut if you have nothing of value to add
Sorry to hear that. Wait about a week or 2 before sending out resumes , networking etc. if you have the finances take a vacation or a long weekend .
Also don’t go out of your way too much to show people who will be taking over your work. I’m not saying sabotage but focus on yourself
If they ask you to work overtime extra hours etc. kindly decline
I wish you all the best .
Uh. Do what everyone else who's been laid off does; (a) find another job, (b) start your own gig, or (c) retire.
I mean ... what advice do you need?