Thread regarding Hewlett Packard Enterprise (HPE) layoffs

The writing is on the wall, can you not see it? It's called HPE Next.

So I had to come back to this site and write this after hearing about "HPE Next" via lunch with an HPE colleague I used to work with.

You see the writing on the wall, more layoffs are to be expected, you feel your job is not safe, morale is in the toilet, the environment is toxic, you do not like what HPE has become and maybe you even don't like what you've become. Then you know what you need to do: start looking outside of HPE! Your manager may find out thru the grapevine, but certainly he/she will understand why.

Mental roadblocks may get in the way:

  • a new job may require moving or telecommuting

  • a new job might give you a lower salary (or a higher one; you don't know yet)

  • you're an old dog that can't learn new tricks (absolutely wrong!)

  • you feel you don't have the right skills the market wants. (How will you know if you don't try and apply? You can always retrain!)

The jobs are out there! It's certainly not like the tech bubble of the late 90s, but it's also not the bubble-bursting recession of a decade ago. Apply and find out what your opportunities are and open yourself up to options you can pick from. Always keep a positive attitude when applying; no one wants to interview or hire a whiner/complainer/Debbie Downer.

Of course, you can continue staying at HPE.

  • hoping you won't get WFRed, even though you know the layoffs are absolutely coming. Meg has indirectly labelled employees as part of the "cost structure" in her talks. She's even nicknamed her new initiative to further address the "cost structure" with "HPE Next". You just don't know what, when, where, or who will part of "HPE Next". But you're OK with sticking around to find out hoping you won't be part of that program.

  • getting WFR'd and dealing with expensive COBRA insurance (U.S. employees) while you have no job. You may find it's a little bit harder to find a new job as potential new employers wonder why you were laid off. A bit of depression may set in, but you will get out of that rut and eventually land a new job.

I'm an HP/E veteran who left HPE late last year on my own volition. I loved working at HP during my early years. We had great, smart, hard-working employees at a great company. Poor, short-term decision-making and drama from the top (CEOs, board members, and executives) have ruined HP/E, not the rank-and-file employees. The continuing WFRs since the HP/HPE split as well as the announced spinoffs was, IMHO, the beginning of the end of HPE. I could not see how HPE could sustain its livelihood after spinning off HPE Enterprise, Software and Cloud to go back to just making commodity servers, storage boxes, and network switches. I didn't want to be part of the "new, streamlined" HPE, so I went job shopping. It has been a win/win situation since HPE no longer has me as part of their "cost structure" and the new job is better than the one I left.

In summary, I'm just suggesting if you are unsure about the security of your job, remove the mental road blocks and take action to look around while you're still employed. You won't know what opportunities are available in this job market if you don't open your eyes and look. If you are sure your job is in jeopardy, don't let HPE put you in a quandry and push you out the door; take control of your own career and walk out the door yourself.

Good Luck HPE employees!

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| 2754 views | | 13 replies (last October 31, 2017) | Reply
Post ID: @OP+PUBjjYP

13 replies (most recent on top)

HPE POINT Next ... Just sayin'

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Post ID: @7qbl+PUBjjYP

@PUBjjYP-yld.

Amen to your comments!

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Post ID: @rci+PUBjjYP

It's okay to be bitter. If you're still at HPE and living the dream, then that's great! I got out last year without help from the WFR fairy. I keep my eye on what HPE is up to (including layoffs) because I still have friends there and because for 20+ years, HP/E meant so much to me. However, to think people can give so much of their hearts and soul to a company only to be treated the way Meg is treating them... and then expect them not to be bitter is sitting in a pretty high seat of condescension.... and frankly, very arrogant. Maybe instead of judging these folks, you should empathize a bit because like it or not, you may very well get a visit from the WFR fairy before long...

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Post ID: @yld+PUBjjYP

"Yea, Team!!!"

Whatever "Spirit Bunny..."

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NLTTugZ4BIw

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Post ID: @bfc+PUBjjYP

Two years ago I wasn't ready to raise my hand for being a WFR volunteer. Every month it gets closer to being a reality that it is the right path to take. I assure you that most people being let go these days are very good employees that work hard. Some of the ones in earlier years were underperformers, but not all of them. Some people were just in a bad place to be when the axe was swinging.

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Post ID: @pxa+PUBjjYP

Volunteering for the WFR is a good idea if you are ready to retire. It can't hurt. I was wacked in June but was going to retire in December anyway. They just paid me a bit to do it early. I feel so bad for those poor rascals left that have to carry my workload and knowing their time is probably up soon no matter how well they do. Bill and Dave would be disgusted.

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Post ID: @uko+PUBjjYP

I say again, defense is hiring big time given the geo-political environment. You may have to relocate.

Must be a US citizen !

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Post ID: @pad+PUBjjYP

I was getting close to retirement and had been with HP/HPE for a long time do did exactly like you was thinking . I asked my manager for me to be on the next Wfr list. He did and it was the best thing HPE has ever done for me. Serverance was a nice bonus. All my old work colleagues are having a pretty rough time now.

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Post ID: @nhm+PUBjjYP

Are you bitter? I think the original post makes a lot of excellent points. The big one is accept that its over. It's over.

Time to look out for yourself and move on.

Do the math on your financial situation.

He's right that it wasn't the rank and file that destroyed HPE.

Good Luck to All!

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Post ID: @uce+PUBjjYP

"I'm thinking of volunteering for WFR or advising my manager that if someone has to be picked from my team then they won't get too much resistance from me.

Has anyone else tried this?"

Worked for me.

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Post ID: @hob+PUBjjYP

I'm thinking of volunteering for WFR or advising my manager that if someone has to be picked from my team then they won't get too much resistance from me.

Has anyone else tried this?

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Post ID: @zwn+PUBjjYP

I have been at HPE/HP/Compaq a long time now. But i am trying to decide to stick it out until the end or try to find something new now. Maybe i should flip a coin :)

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Post ID: @kgc+PUBjjYP

Well said. There is lots of opportunities out there. Just have to look! And don't be afraid to leave your comfort zone.

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Post ID: @vub+PUBjjYP

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