Thread regarding VMware layoffs

If you really believe staying at VMware is better than accepting an offer from a better company, FAANG or similar, I’m afraid you’re wrong unless you have been working for VMware more than 5 years and your severance package is worth it.

Cuts will come sooner than later from VMware or post-acquisition from BC side, and those impacted by these cuts will find themselves fighting for available positions against those people already fired and planned to be by Amazon, Google, Meta, Microsoft, etc..

Anyways we should accept the lifecycle of these companies, job security doesn’t exist.

"Severance depends usually on the number of years of tenure."

In the case of google/alphabet, laid of workers get 16 weeks(!) base severance, plus a week per year of tenure. I would happily work there a year to get a paid four months off!

Meta, Amazon and Google are all have 6 months cobra. Meta and Google have 16 weeks severance as base then the weeks/tenures on top of that. Amazon has standard 2w/1yr on top of a smaller base severance (that might depends on IC levels). Bonuses all pay out proportion or full. Cobra is what standard of these FAANG companies over VMW. When you are out of job, you need the coverage until you find another one.

I'm the OP.
@ort+1kMIcbcT: there will be always competition, 1000 people more or less are not making the difference when already a lot of company are laying off. And who knows maybe end of year/starting 2024 things will improve? Noone has the crystal ball this is the issue.
@bgn+1kMIcbcT: Severance depends usually on the number of years of tenure. If 6months ago you changed to go to a FAANG and now you are let go not sure your severance is very high.
@buq+1kMIcbcT: Uhm... not really agree about that too. One shouldn't really sacrifice himself really more than necessary especially now. Best thing right now is to learn as much as possible and be ready to whatever can happen.
@1aje+1kMIcbcT: I don't agree about this too. Broadcom spent 70B to acquire VMware. VMware at the moment is making less than 1B of earning per year...Do the sum... Broadcom also suggested to increase a lot the ETBA of VMware. Probably a huge cut will happen in order to bring earnings on around 3/4B per year (this is easily archivable firing 10K people).

1. VMware has had attrition and did not backfill many of those
2. Our growth targets are not near FAANG therefore investors aren't calling for cuts + the impending BC acquisition
3. We had a soft hiring freeze 6 months ago
4. Custs were made to spending, expense claims scrutinized, asked to cut back, travel was cut heavily, we are still doing remote kick off etc...

It was managed quite well with some foresight. But when you don't have the market knocking on the door about growth, revenue targets you can be a little modest with cutting headcount

Exactly. I'm going to work as hard as I can to stay. Don't give AF about the acquisition. Money is money. Going to a startup would be a downgrade and risky in comparison.

Something to consider. Meta and Google have excellent severance. These are the companies that treating their casualties generously that people will still going back to work for them after economy healing itself.

Wait until the end of january. Who knows vmware may have layoff next week.

Personally I never said go to google or whatnot. I always suggest to leave if you hate your job right now and got zero motivation. I always say, you hate it - shut up and leave. You decide your own future. Not your Company.

The one thing I use as Argument as well, amongst others, is that now your competition on the job market is limited.

If you wait and get laid off, you have 100s if not 1000s on the job market hunting for the same jobs. So your severance package will dry up quicker than you think.

Unless you got a plan b of course.