Thread regarding F5 Networks Inc. layoffs

@47w HR is an agent of the employer, designed to mitigate legal, financial, and reputational risks for the company. While they mediate conflicts and administer benefits, their core loyalty lies with protecting the business, not employees.

@OP These corporate ghouls, and believe me, many of them, not all, but many are deeply insecure people. Tremendously insecure. They walk into meetings like they’re contestants on “Who Wants to Pretend They Know What’s Happening.” A lot of them don’t actually have talent or skills. Sad!
And now they’re getting completely hypnotized by chatbots. Total chatbot psychosis. Why? Because the machine tells them they’re brilliant. “Great insight, sir.” “Excellent strategic thinking.” They’re hearing this stuff and thinking they’re Einstein in a Patagonia vest.
The tech CEOs especially love AI because it finally gives them what they’ve always wanted: validation without competence. It makes them feel smart, futuristic, important. Throw in the herd mentality because nobody wants to be the one guy at Sun Valley not screaming “AI!” every six seconds. Plus the investor fantasy of firing half the workforce and calling it innovation... and suddenly everybody’s all in.
Honestly, it tells you a lot about what it takes to become a CEO these days. And none of it is very flattering.

The crazy thing is that these corporate cultures believe that HR are for the people. They are totally responsible to the board and leadership and do nothing to support any thriving culture. Look at Ana White, she’s now driving the AI transformation for Lumen…in other words how to layoff more people.

As someone who is no longer with the company I can promise you there is life after F5 and you will be so much happier when you no longer have to deal with it. I woke up with no anxiety or dread the morning after my last day and that was the first time in years that happened. I know the job market is rough. Just keep checking job postings daily and keep plugging away and keep your spirits up. If you are afraid of being RIFed then please work on a plan b in case that happens so you aren’t caught in a tough spot. For now just log in, do your work, and log out to go enjoy your life. That place became so toxic and disorganized in the past two years and I understand the frustration you are going through.

If you are no longer with F5 stop checking this board. You’re free, forget this company. I don’t know why I checked today. Probably because I wanted to give a little hope and encouragement to those still stuck there. There is life after F5. A better one.

It is summer vacation for a great many folks, who often will take these weeks off. Check PTO Calendars then be concerned if that doesn't check out. It likely will, just as it would around late November-December.

@ex If that’s a word salad to you, no wonder you were RID’d.

@OP "Has anyone else noticed colleagues just going silent? " No. What you can notice is "AllIndian" "culture": "do as you're told". Sinking ship.

@at word salad

@bg this!

@at The people you work with are not your friends.

People go out of office for various reasons, and maybe that’s all it is.

Don’t know and don’t care.

“ More RIFs coming”
“ Evaporation of … Culture”

Tell me you don’t read news about our industry without telling me you don’t read news about our industry.

Every publicly traded company in our industry will RIF again. Every corporate culture is changing. Read. And then learn to adapt.

@at fld wanna be

@as Same. Another “the sky is falling” post. They expect a publicly traded company to be RIF-free and have culture? Ha!!! Why don’t they just ensure their resume is up-to-date, increase competitive skills, make friends outside of work to get their culture? Or, they can just keep complaining I guess - won’t change a thing. Absolutely nothing. But they like to vent vs. address the problems I guess.

@OP Has anyone else noticed colleagues just going silent? Is there anyone you haven't heard from in a while, even if they're still showing up in the directory?

No. No.