Thread regarding F5 Networks Inc. layoffs

I was part of the 2009 layoffs, and trust me, there was no 'family feel' then either! Hard cuts and no love, you're a number...

It sounds cruel and distrustful, but it makes sense to do this. You don't want people stealing information and posting it online and whatnot. Not that most would do this, but it only takes 1. I don't know how most companies handle layoffs, but I would imagine in a similar fashion. Honestly if you want a family feel, don't work for a publicly traded company. Especially in IT there are a lot of privately owned small companies that have that if that's important to you.

That new/talented pool may find themselves inside another company that has the same "how" when they do layoffs. The whole point is don't go/move to another company because F5 did the layoff poorly. Move to another company because they are executing their strategy better and therefore less likely to layoff... until that strategy starts failing and they have to layoff and do so in the industry standard way which no one likes.

If you having to select a company based, even in part, upon how they do layoffs, well - good luck to you.

Agree it was bad. "It's same in other companies" is not a great explanation. Everyone knows that corporations look after them and lay-offs are part of the deal. The op's comment is about "how" it is done - in tech companies where the talented workforce is key, news spreads fast and any ill-treatment (real or perceived) can put off new/talented pool that F5 sure needs soon when their business comes back on track.

Yes, @opa so true, all companies behave the same way

If you think it happens any differently in any major corporation you are wrong. HR protects the company first. This is all standard procedure. If you get laid off, take the day or even the week off with a smile and then get that resume, which I am sure you have always kept up to date, into those companies with recently opened positions you have been scouting, you have always been scouting for other positions since F5 (or any company) hired you I hope, and don't look back.

it was bad they locked email and PC while on the call with HR for remote people. management has no trust on people at all.