Thread regarding SAP layoffs

Easy part is to virtue signal , and single people / groups out , Tough part is to find people who intersects at diversity & meritocracy !

I can also point out people at the helm of most critical product we have with ABSOLOUTE ZERO and nothing to show for delivery in their entire career, and many people would jump and agree but the moment i tell you that they also happen to be women, and their current position is mere result of this 25% women in management KPI , people would label on me :)

No one has an issue with more women, more diversity and different races represented in decision making roles, but when these positions are given primarily people's color, s-xual orientation and other reasons OVERLOOKING the competency, it leads to dissatisfactions and problems.

It's astounding how anonymity encourages what is, essentially, racism and misogyny... so much hate for "DEI". Unfortunately, to those unencumbered with even the slightest amount of sophistication and intelligence, "blaming" DEI just translates into blaming women and people of color (and others in "protected classes".) This is, of course, the convenient misdirection perpetrated by certain groups who imagine themselves to have some sort of manufactured grievance against someone who looks or worships or loves or just chooses to live differently than they do. The grievance, of course, is simply a manifestation of their own ignorance, fear, and cowardice. "Clearly, someone beside me must be to blame for my failures... it must be those damned (insert the disgusting racial or s-xist slur of your choice.)

First, take responsibility for your own shortcomings, for your own failures.

Second... you want to be angry at someone? How about being angry at the greedy dimwitted fu--s who run the company? They're the ones pushing you out or keeping you from advancing.

In other words, grow up.

I have no problems with German leadership. The problem comes from the fact that CK, TS, and anyone Hasso hand picked are nowhere near competent to do their jobs.

None of these “leaders” have done anything noteworthy to rise through the ranks. They knew from the day they were interns that they’d be handed the reigns to the company and would never have to write a print statement in ABAP (looking at you TS)

For those who may view this topic narrowly through DEI lens. Nobody is replacing white people here. Don't act like a victim and feed into the narrative of AFD and other parties. Historically, it was the Jewish community that was targeted and replaced due to fear-mongering and hatred, instead of German society confronting and addressing its own underlying issues. Here’s a historical recap -

Before World War 2, Jewish people in Germany were highly educated and made major contributions to fields like science, medicine, law, arts, finance, and industry. Though they comprised less than 2% of the population and enriched German society in countless ways, they were seen as a threat and treated as second-class citizens compared to their “superior” German counterparts. Persecution against them began systematically in 1933 and culminated in the Holocaust. People who despised AH after the war, would have made him a hero if he would have won the war for them.

After the war, Germany realized the need for workers to help rebuild the country and invited guest workers from countries like Vietnam and Turkey. These workers, often from lower economic and educational backgrounds, also faced discrimination and were treated as second-class citizens, vulnerable to exploitation. At the time, there were clear double standards in how opportunities were distributed.

Long story short: At its core, this debate is about fair treatment and ensuring that all people, regardless of skin color, race, religion, nationality, orientation, or gender, have equal opportunities to learn and grow professionally without discrimination within the company and in the country at large.

To end with a poem from Rudyard Kipling’s 1899 poem, “The White Man’s Burden”:
“Take up the White Man’s burden,
Send forth the best ye breed,
Go bind your sons to exile
To serve your captives’ need…”

In this poem, Kipling suggests that colonial powers had a duty to “civilize” non-European peoples, viewing this as a burden borne by the “white man.” This phrase became a justification for colonialism, promoting the belief that European culture and governance were inherently superior. Even though such days are behind us, one must wonder its remnants still exist in the form of racial arrogance in the beliefs of few.

Oh look, another card being played. Yawn…

How is the world discriminating against you today? Do you have any other shortcomings that you’d like to blame white men for?

Clown

for the person who explains the situation to accept that we work in a german company.. what about the second generation immigrant germans in the company, should they accept the reality that the company was founded by white germans..where do we draw the line in the sand? what is your position on this? is it the passport, culture, religion, colour, gender likeliness or all of it? german, white, male who founded the company?

There is a saying in SAP Deutschland - You get in as an intern and you get out when you retire and in the middle you protect your turf!
Need not explain more…

@gcu+1v9xGLyY
As an expat who has worked in Germany for many years, I can honestly say that many of my closest friends, both at work and outside, are Germans. However, there are always people like you (and the +5 who agreed with you) everywhere in the world—those who are closed minded, spread negativity, hate and create a hostile work environment.

It wouldn’t surprise me if you fall into the category described above. You need to understand the real point being made here. Nowhere does it say that this person hates Germans. In fact, the message is that everyone should have equal and fair opportunities to grow in the company, based on merit and performance, regardless of their background.

A recent example we all know is of a 38-year-old executive (the CTO), who quickly rose through the ranks but lacked the moral and ethical values to stay in that position. I’ve seen many deserving people not given the recognition or positions they deserved, and as a result, they left, which was a loss for the organization. There’s a saying: “If you don’t train and retain the best, you’ll be left with the worst.”

All I know is - I was laid off and the other 5 managers were all European white men who kept their jobs. So much for women in leadership.

Just like Tata Motors management is mainly Indian because is an Indian company, or Xiaomi is Chinese because is a Chinese company.

@gcu+1v9xGLyY

"If you don't like working with white people perhaps you should go and work for a company in your country. "

And with that, you masterfully sum up all that is truly broken in the world.

I am American, white male in his 60's who was impacted in April 2024. I have no issue working with anyone from any country, any race, regardless of gender. But its clear to see that we have a situation where SAP clearly favors German while males over any other demographic group --- regardless of competency level.

We live in a world where people feel comfortable saying, essentially what you have said, "If you don't like it here, then why don't you go back to where you came from!?!?"... with the implied "and if you don't, we'll be happy to make you go back..." I live in a country where that sort of thinking is more commonplace than any of us would like to admit... And, it appears, we now all live in a world where "DEI" is a dirty word. I guess its a dirty word to people who look down on and seek to drive out the "auslanders"...

You, my friend, are a dark, disturbed, broken person.

Not only are they german, they are mostly totally useless and add little value.

If you don't like working with white people perhaps you should go and work for a company in your country.

SAP is full of DEI failed hires, people over-promoted because of their colour or s-x.

Agreed with post about being German company and what to expect. Having worked for SAP since the early 2000's I can say first hand that outside of Sales org, the overwhelming portion of L1, L2, are based in Germany. Only until you get to some L3 positions do you get local management, but these are dead end positions. But even on the L3 I have seen my fair share of Managers on L1 visas who are sent over from WDF for 3 or 4 year assignments which then blocks out promotions for those who live in such locations.

Simply put, this is the price you pay when you work for a foreign company. Don't get me wrong there are good things about SAP ( or at least there were when I started here) but if career advancement is important, then we need to look at corporations who are based inside the country you live in and leave SAP - unfortunately that is just the way it is.

Everyone, globally, should realize at the outset of employment with SAP that it is a German Company, which was founded by Germans. Therefore no one should be surprised that the company will favor it's own citizens for the Leadership positions.

If SAP was founded in France, Canada, US, etc....etc... then we should expect that the Leadership will emanate from such countries.

Do not blame the Corporation about promoting their own culture and countrymen but rather look inward and come to an acknowledgement that when working for a foreign company, everyone outside of the domicile of origin should be expecting that there will be a two tier system in place. To expect that everyone will be on equal footing is flawed and will lead to discontentment.

I have no issues with the middle management being white or non white, German or Non-German. The issue which they need to look into is how they can promote meritocracy without giving any undue advantages to people of certain groups so that it is a fair playing field for everyone. I think the thread starter also meant that.

Personally, not in favor of DEI hires but merit based hires.