Thread regarding NetApp layoffs

Reclassification

I’m QA and my manager sent me invite and gave me two option to move to Dev or take severance package and leave, I’ve choosen to move to Dev but am I safe here

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| 2743 views | | 7 replies (last May 4, 2025) | Reply
Post ID: @OP+1jt0ng3fs

7 replies (most recent on top)

It's very optimistic to assume management has a well thought out plan for transitioning these people into new roles. The QA teams are not idle and their responsibilities remain critical. It may be different at your site, but the aspects of their work that could be automated already have been, with their direct involvement.

Expecting them to be fairly evaluated against software engineers is unrealistic. Unless their managers have a clear strategy to redistribute their workloads while simultaneously ensuring that their previous responsibilities are still covered, they'll be at a significant disadvantage when it's time to stack rank them against people whose primary role is development.

I have been here for nearly a decade, and the top leadership's track record over that time suggests long-term strategic planning does not exist. It's reasonable to assume there was no plan for this reclassification, and these folks who were are newly converted will be doing the same job they had before. It still needs to be done, and who else is going to do it? They will also be among the first impacted in the next round of layoffs. Advice for the recently converted is to start looking for a new job now.

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Post ID: @yh+1jt0ng3fs

Actually, not a bad move for the mean time. However, explore outside options.

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Post ID: @rh+1jt0ng3fs

Seems like this is the better move for most people. You can upskill while you learn your new role, and find a different role in a while or stick with the new role and responsibilities.

Unfortunate that this wasn't the norm for some at the company, but QA isn't necessary when you have automation.

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Post ID: @cw+1jt0ng3fs

Yes. While there are no garuntees, I think this is very in line with there desire to consolidate dev and qa.

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Post ID: @b2+1jt0ng3fs

Will you be given dev tasks now, or just a title change? Will be difficult to succeed if only a title change but still doing QA work, because now you ranked against other swe.

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Post ID: @ax+1jt0ng3fs

Good move (for now)

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Post ID: @ab+1jt0ng3fs

Treat every job as not being safe ever. Always be looking for a next possible move. Either internally or someplace else.

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Post ID: @aa+1jt0ng3fs

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