Thread regarding Oracle Corp. layoffs

I am the OP. I do also appreciate the "fat chops" and "ugly American" comments. There is truth to that. As far as my team mates were concerned they were bailing out left right and center. My work load was increasing and I would quickly do the work with no concern for consequences. I would deflect as much as possible to team mates that were interviewing knowing they wouldn't get it done because they had one foot out the door.

No one on my team cared at all. The whole team was going to be gone in a year. They disconnected us internally. I remember one guy saying... you realize how hard it was to find you? I need help ... so I helped him, and did my A+ best on that task.

I am not heartless. But I became the ugly American sitting on his fat chops because I was working at an ugly American company sitting on its fat chops milking its customers. There was no way out and I needed the time to reinvent myself.

So I took the time to train up.

My new manager knew I was training and approved. He tried to get other team members to train up as well. In the end he lost 70% of his team when I left.

He knew it was coming after awhile my new manager realized it was hopeless and tried to help everyone into new roles or into new jobs.

But yeah atleast we saw it coming and made plans. I don't hate Oracle and I do appreciate the severance package. I do think things were orchestrated in such a way to get people to leave.

I do think that is continuing. There is a ton of legacy stuff at Oracle. Quit complaining. Oracle is doing you a favor by making your work life miserable. It should motivate you to skill up while your business unit and tech slowly fades into historical obscurity.

I especially like the "fat chops" comment made about the OP. Definitely applies.

I have a lot of empathy for the OP.

It is essentially impossible to function in Oracle. I don’t blame him at all for taking care of himself first. More people need to do the same. Oracle is completely dysfunctional. It is a waste of time to care about anything. The corrupt management will be there to sc--w it all up anyway.

Wow - the guy who posted this really fits the stereotype of the “Ugly American”. Great work ethic.

So OP - Your “plan” was to do no real work for a year while others were getting RIF’d, take your salary and full benefits for that year, and then jump ship along with your severance. Got it. Your family and your former colleagues at Oracle must be so proud of you.

To the OP, when I read your original post I was angered by your attitude, I understand your frustration but you probably hurt people that didn’t deserve it, your team and colleagues who would have had to pick up the work. I should know I experienced the same before I left and what you did most likely impacted their mental health. Trust me those that worked around you would have noticed what you were doing and most likely don’t have a positive image for you. Not everyone is in the same situation as you to look for another job and not consider a layoff a bonus like you did. I think you need to apologise to your ex colleagues somehow and be more aware in the future, the impact of your actions. I’m glad you are on a different path now.

I am the OP. Just want to say this is the first and only time I gave less than my best at any company. I was an A+ performer, which is why I survived the the reorg in June.

My manger made it very plain to me that this was probably my last year unless I could reinvent myself inside Oracle. Nothing wrong with me or my performance, just that my skillset was no longer valued at Oracle. If it was not valued at Oracle it was definitely a declining asset outside Oracle and not really valued in the industry in general.

After losing sleep for several weeks I realized I was not going to make it at Oracle. After seeing some of the best and brightest resign or get laid off I began to realize I was on a sinking ship. My manager left and I got a new manager who’s first question was “tell me about yourself.” I realized all my long hours hard work, back breaking long hours and important wins over the past few years was completely lost and forgotten.I’d have to doo all that hard work for my new manager all over again, only to see him leave or shift rolls.

I realized deep down two things. One; there was a 99.9% change I would be let go next year. Two; I needed to upgrade my skill set. If I had to go through the effort reinvent myself I would rather work for a company that treated employees with respect, where I would not have to worry about getting laid off.

After the stark look into reality I had to accept it. I had to have a plan. Oracle clearly did not treat its employees with respect. Oracle did not seem to care about the customer or the quality of support it was charging for so dearly. The good managers left and what remained was concerned about themselves and their own reputation only. Oracle was only concerned with its revenue stream.

This is what I came up with. It’s not the greatest plan. My least effort was still sufficient to do my job. I admit it was selfish. I decided to take a page from the Oracle play book and look out for myself. I am not sorry for the way I performed at Oracle in my last year. To say I was disillusioned is an understatement.

At my next employer I did a 180 and excelled as I always have and gave my best effort. The company culture in my new job was awesome and I had zero fear of a layoff. I modernized my skill set and was back in high demand.

I was at Oracle for over 20 years before getting RIF'd. And yes, I was bitter about it for some time as I worked really hard, got RIF'd, while others who did next to no work were retained. In my case, it was not my not having the "stones" to upskill as I did so for years, just NOT on company time as this poster did.

I understand that many who post on this site have negative opinions of Oracle, as I do. The company I work for now is truly a breath of fresh air compared to Oracle. But it would easily exposure a lazy employee like this poster had been at Oracle and put him out the door.

What a joke! Posting how you sat on your fat chops for a year doing nothing.

I agree BUT this shows the weakness of middle management. Middle Mgmt complains, criticizes & condemns employees instead of effectively managing their teams. Thus, Oracle is a big mess driven a negative management style that is as outdated as everything else esp the VP business model that is taking Oracle down the tubes. Due inflation & world affairs, we heading for a serious recession. Oracle will not stand unless LE puts in his billions to save & we know that answer.
Everybody from VP on down better be looking for another job or you will be toast in a few months. The hay day is over. I don’t think the VP’s are capable and certainly not marketable at anything worthwhile to get a decent job elsewhere.

What a joke! Posting how you sat on your fat chops for a year doing nothing.

Dude upskilled on company time, gamed his mgr into thinking he was “d-mb”, got riffed and walked into a better job with a cool 10k bonus.

While the rest of you whine bc you don’t have the stones to do at least the upskilling part.

Come on now! You could at least do that part.

This poster is nothing more than a common thief. It’s too bad that Oracle is not able to reclaim the stolen salary. And I’m sure he will do this to other employers.

Regardless of what you think about Oracle as a company, this is no way to treat any company who pays you to actually work for your money.

Wow - You’re a real gem of an employee, what a stellar example! Many of us worked hard to keep our jobs at Oracle before getting RIF’d, but you rip-off the company for a year’s salary while you are plot your departure. I feel sorry for your new employer, because you have no loyalty whatsoever to who pays your salary.

OP, what group did you work for?

Always be upskilling for that next role. Sound advice here🙌

I was laid off before 2022. Odds are at end of Q4 in May your fate has already been decided. It probably already decided and there is nothing you can do. If you have a queezy feeling in your gut, or if you have absolutely no clue what is going to happen your name is probably on the list.

If you are confident that you did a great job and your boss says as much, you are safe this year. The sooner you adopt the exit strategy of upgrading your skills and enjoying life the better off you will be. If you make it through June it means you have a yearly to plan your escape.

Tune out to Oracle and tune in to the rest of tech. Thats how you beat the game Oracle is playing.