Thread regarding IBM layoffs

@zts+18ZHbSWe Are you sure younger people get laid off as often as older ones? After all, IBM got hit for age discrimination isnt it?

@tni+18ZHbSWe I have always told my young son. The ONLy worthwhile way to proceed in a career is start something of your own. It is absolutely useless to work for any company! And that will become obvious whe you hit 50, but it will be too late

Most people did not lose lifetime employment because they never had it. But many of us older people joined the company with that understanding and to have it taken away, without a corresponding reduction in what the company expects of us, still angers us.

Shocked to see so many people complaining about the loss of lifetime employment and employer loyalty as if it's a recent thing. It's been dead across Corporate America since at least the early-mid 1990s. Some people just managed to remain insulated from what was happening everywhere, in pockets at a few big companies.

not sure if there are careers in most companies nowdays, its always been a job, one in 100 might get a promotion, but it tends to be cause they know the manager or hiring person - or they are a brown nose.

It doesn't have to be one-sided. If you are an "at will" employee, you can resign, at any time, for any reason, with zero notice. Just make sure you have already done whatever physical/digital separation beforehand. Perhaps if enough people who leave IBM, do so without giving the courtesy 2 weeks, and state the reason for leaving as "company disrespect for the individual" they will get the message.

So for those of you who leave on your own terms, you have this option.

In the past there was a two way compact of working at a large corporate - you give up some freedom, but you get the chance to have a career, have some stability.
But now, the relationship has become one sided - the company owns you body and soul, and you get the insecurity of an independent contractor. The compact is broken.

The whole value proposition of being an employee, especially at a company like this is "Rely 100% on one client, who totally owns you and stops you having other clients, is totally arbitrary, will drop you if it's a day ending with a y, and so on."

All companies will dump you for someone cheaper who can do even 80% of what you do. We’re all mercenaries going forward.

I don't think you can rely on any company for a life long career. The world is a different place now. No more gold watches. Work on building your resume with skills and experience for the next job whether internal or external.

Anyone who entered the technology workforce on the cusp of the dot com bust have always known better than to view a tech company as a lifelong place to work. With all due respect (and I mean that, sincerely), it's time to stop complaining about how things aren't like they seemed to be 25 years ago. The world is not like it was back then. Modern capitalism, political policy, digital globalization, wages that haven't kept space with the horrific inflation and expense increases, etc. are not simply not compatible with the glory days. Being discarded by a corporation is nothing to call home about and hasn't been, for at least 20 years. It stinks, yes, but at least you're not in debt $200k in student loans. Being older is not necessarily worse than being younger. Best of luck to us all!

@wrv+18ZHbSWe take my reply in the context.

I agree that ibm lays off more people who are experienced workers but what i am trying to say is it also lays off people who are younger very consistently and hence it's not a career company, hell it's not even a safe job if you aren't well connected.

They'll change the company direction one morning and bam! Layoffs in your dept

zts+18ZHbSWe

"IBM doesn't discriminate while laying off"

Are you delusional? Just look at the flurry of lawsuits.

IBM has gone from a way of life to a career to an insecure job. Now with the new management, it is an impending "death sentence" as IBM tries to avoid it's own inevitable breakup, selloff, and death at the hands of the Wall Street vultures.

@tza+18ZHbSWe you haven't seen it yet, just wait for it. You'll be doing good and bam! They'll hit you with layoff! Trust me it happens to young people as often as old people.

IBM doesn't discriminate while laying off

If you're in GTS and older it's likely that life isn't great at IBM. Aggressive offshoring with less than stellar results, no raises, super long hours, more bureaucracy, and poor morale is a bit of an epidemic. Maybe it's great in other areas and I'm happy for those folks...but it isn't great here.

It doesn't s— for all of us. Some of us are doing quite well and enjoy it. Don't be so bitter.