Thread regarding Fiserv Inc. layoffs

They do not like to consult an expert

Maybe you should look at hiring the right people, instead of putting friends and buddies in positions they are not qualified for. In our group the VP has no clue about the technology stack, and doesn't consult anyone if the ideas they are thinking about are any good. It is just implement these 20 disparate systems and duplicate entering in data for each. They don't care about saving time, but reporting metrics in 20 different systems. Instead of having one efficient system that does it all. Lets go back to the 90's on running an IT environment with duplication of work.

I understand why they hire mediocrities, but it's not clear to me why at least they don't seek the advice of people who know what they are doing?

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| 1591 views | | 3 replies (last May 11, 2021) | Reply
Post ID: @OP+1aJMDAp4

3 replies (most recent on top)

The prior post is understating how little work the lambs are given. Think 'nothing'. Nothing is an accurate level of work these people are being assigned. Don't believe me? That is also accurate. It is unbelievable how little work gets assigned. I've known at least eight different lambs. (Some more legendary than others.) Two have survived.

Then the team leader gets promoted.

Side Note: If you find out you are one of these lambs your greatest chance for survival is to transfer to a different team. Maybe a new team if you can find one. If that is not an option, you can just take your pay while building your skills for the next job. Fiserv does offer some training and you will have plenty of time to make use of it.

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Post ID: @4nzr+1aJMDAp4

I don't think you understand how this works.

Environment: Most teams are a core team of good ol' boys who have been with Fiserv for years, if not decades. They are often very close friends. Also in this team are 1-3 sacrificial lambs, hired specifically in case of layoff. Here is how it works:

1) Fiserv lays off x percent of employees on a biennial basis, often newer. The sacrificial lambs are given their pink slips. The good ol' boys are safe.

2) 3-6 months later, Fiserv goes on a hiring spree.

3) The team takes on new people with little regard towards their long-term employment. Usually the new hires are either naïve, incompetent, or both. There is little training or ramp-up, and little work is given out to these newbies.

4) If a core team member retires, quits, or dies, one of the sacrificial lambs are picked, given more time/training/assignments, are quickly ramped up, and in turn becomes one of the core members. Otherwise, the lambs have a very slack schedule for the 18 months they are expected to remain on the team.

5) About 2-3 months before the Layoff Lottery, the sacrificial lambs are suddenly brutalized by the team's manager for being sub-optimal, underperforming, etc. The manager has already marked them for layoff, in order to protect his core team.

6) Go to Step 1, rinse, and repeat.

The only real hazard is that a given smaller region eventually runs out of suckers to hire on. The other hazard, the titanic number of negative Glassdoor reviews, etc.? HR and "Brand Managers" are deployed to put in fake positive reviews, pressure newbie hires to put in positive reviews, etc.

From the looks of things, it appears that We may finally be reaching the end-stage of this tactic. Nobody wants to work for the place. Customers are jumping ship. The C-level is having to mumble and lie their way through earnings calls, and investors aren't buying it.

The rest is just sitting back, munching popcorn, and waiting for the whole thing to crash.

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Post ID: @3aio+1aJMDAp4

Original author of the post I quoted @1roq+1aHQGQqE

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Post ID: @inm+1aJMDAp4

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