Hi former IBMers. A large group of us from US TSS are part of the June RA. We are supporting each other through the transition. We could use the wisdom in the group.
What advice do you have?
If you are going, spend all you time left working on resume and Linkedin. Do not be bullied to do actual work. You are gone and priority is your next job. Be nice to co workers who are not RA, they are in worse place than you. Get recommendations from co workers. Spend time prepping and looking and ignore managers asking for actual work. Also make sure they gave accurate count for vacation days.
Some people shared advice in an earlier thread. You can find it here
https://www.thelayoff.com/t/155MVX4Y
Renew employee discounts on cell phones, etc
Print of all employment history, award history, compensation, awards received, etc. Make sure you know your FHA account balance if you have one, as rules are very tricky. (Ayco is invaluable and knows IBM benefits and details when you get whacked, or retired.) Makes sure you file for unemployment benefits ASAP. Any negative material IBM has on you that you may use in a class action suit, send to your private email or put on a thumb drive. If you have a pension, which few do, know when you can start receiving it. Under all circumstances, assume IBM wants to give you as little as possible and wants you to disappear quietly, regardless of role or tenure. They are not an honorable company.
I heard people say the retraining and coaching was something they wished they started taking advantage of earlier. They thought they could do it on their own but after many years at IBM they were behind the times.