I've never heard people talk this freely about leaving before. Even coworkers I barely interact with are telling me they're looking elsewhere. What happened to this place to come to this point?
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I’m in the R&D side of things at IBM. My manager talks openly of leaving. He was fairly senior until in the WatsonX era one major responsibility after another of his was handed off to pets of a new grand poobah. Then this summer his org was partitioned twice, leaving him with less than a quarter of his former headcount, a reduction to FLM, and a reduced mission that now closely overlaps some team leads’ missions. This guy is smart, talented, and respected in the field world-wide. He’ll be walking soon and IBM will suffer from the loss.
Over the last decade most of our capable people have left and resurfaced at competitors where they quickly rose to quite senior positions. Those who remain and are highly capable remain because they are trapped by things like two body problems, kids finishing high school, or needing health insurance for a few years until 65. Some, despite their talent and former loyalty, have been pushed towards the door because they are expensive but made deals with the Devil because they are trapped. Some even accepted demotions.
Most of the more capable IBMers now quietly harbor hostility towards IBM and its top leaders. How IBM has fallen!
It's happening at all companies. People are openly discussing it on company assets because they've had enough of not knowing. Hopefully, the pendulum swings back to something like the Y2K bo-m(LOL), but I highly doubt it.
Save as much money as you can. Have enough money to sustain you for at least two years if you get fired.
@jd Healthcare is the main reason many are still holding their cr-ppy jobs at IBM.
I know of many who are ready to retire, dragging their feet to 65 (age eligibility for Medicare). The cost of health insurance is exorbitant. IBM executives stole everything.
@e9 if you're not yet 65, what are your plans for healthcare? At 61, the most I got was a year of subsidized cobra; and if I use my $37K balance of my future health account I might be able to get nine months for 3 of the 4 members of my family - my autistic son would SOL since he is too old for IBM retiree insurance, but too young for Medicaid. IBM stole my promised retiree medical benefits early in my career - but it is impossible for to save for premiums that will cost me $40k next year to cover my full family now that Trump has gutted the ACA.
So I take it you are 64 or older? I cannot imagine wanting to retire earlier than that; I had no choice as Jill needed her bonus so my career was rendered into lard and soap.
I have let my manage know I want a package. I am retirement ready and have been treated poorly financially while being a high performer because my job role isn't the right one. I refuse to be disrespected and treated poorly now that I don't have to.
Bonus: hopefully it saves someone else's job.
Indians took over. They do this to every single company they gain influence over.
In Albany people have become down right cavalier speaking loudly and openly about wanting to leave or that they interviews lined up. I have seen say such things in front of a “big” folks very bravely and not giving a f anymore.
I agree with @b1+1m3j5bpp4. People see what’s really going on and finally had enough of the office politics
People see the plan . The utter disregard for employees. A strategy has been around for quite a long time. Layoff as many people as you need to so you can boost the stock price. Has very little to do with skill or technical ability or value to the company that you offer.. so when it comes down to his people, just don’t care. They know someday they will be on the list more than likely. And I don’t think the company really cares either. The more people they can get to leave the building
On their own , the less they have to pay in severance.
I would recommend everyone update their résumé and be looking if you work at that company. There is no security , there is no loyalty. There hasn’t been in over 30 years.. and it has gotten a lot worse in the last several years. You are a number on a spreadsheet. A cost center.
One thing to keep in mind, the more people that leave or get laid off, means there are less people to bail out the sinking ship. This will only accelerate the trip to the bottom of the ocean.
I work in a location that has not seen a backfill in years, but has been subject of big and small layoffs, and mandatory PIP targets. If IBM is openly pushing you out, why not openly discussing your exit strategy?