I am wondering how employees of entities that IBM acquires are treated long term. Do they typically stick around for a 6-9 month transition/knowledge sharing timeframe and then get let go or do they have any viable longer term future at IBM?
What are IBMs' severance benefits like?
Thank you!
I lasted 9 years.
I was one of the last 30 of a very large organization.
This is my experience. IBM left us more or less alone for the first 2 years (besides some occasional training, some system changes) 2 years was also the term for the retention bonuses. At the 2 years mark a good chunk of ppl left after cashing the bonus including many of the higher ups and sales ppl. Then the blue washing started, we were consolidated into an ibm location all the system and processes were migrated to IBM ones (lots of migration issues) then, around 3 years mark, the first layoff got rid of our HR and IT /Support depts. Engineering and product teams were not touched for 4 or so years. After 5 years, the investment in the acquired products dried turning them into a cash cow of software, now considered legacy. Today some 11 years after the acquisition there may be some 10% of employees that remain from the old company, and the overall headcount for the products is around 25% of the number of employees that came into IBM.
When you're acquired by IBM, it's kind of like what Roman Gladiators would say before engaging in combat: "We, who are about to die, salute you!" 😕
I'm one of the few survivors of what my former colleagues and I would consider a failed acquisition.
We were acquired by IBM 5+ years ago, and while we numbered about 100 at the time, there's 5 of us left.
We were told that we would be allowed to remain independent. It was a lie.
We were told we would be allowed to keep our culture. It was a lie.
We were told we would be allowed to remain on our existing systems. It was a lie.
We were told we would be able to avoid being banded. It was a lie.
We were told we would not be subject to utilization. It was a lie.
We were told our office would remain private and not opened to all of IBM. It was a lie.
We were told we wouldn't lose our existing clients. It was a lie.
About six months after the ink was dry, Transfer of Business and Transfer of Employment occurred. Prior to this point, our office, which used to be a very special place, was being ruined by boomers in khaki pants coming in from the suburbs for a day in the city. At the time of TOB / TOE, we were all placed into bands. Most of us got a band lower than what our management had requested for us. We were also immediately subject to utilization requirements.
We lost several people in the first few months - those that didn't want to stick around. We suffered through a massive RA that took about 30 people in one day. Others trickled out week by week.
Our leaders were stuck for 18 months with golden handcuffs to ensure the transition went smoothly. Within 2-3 weeks of their 18 month date, they were gone, too.
Those of us still here - we're not doing anything related to what we were doing before we were acquired, or even what we were doing in the months and years afterwards. We've all found ways to hang on and survive, each of us for different reasons. We don't work together anymore, we don't see each other anymore, we're all doing different things.
When IBM acquires you, it's typically a death sentence. Some of us just manage to get a stay of execution longer than others.
Coming in through PwC Consulting acquisition in Oct 2002 was treated absolutely no different than a true blue employee. Over 20 years is pretty long term. Severance is dependent on country, length of service and whether you are exec or not and if you have an enforceable agreement.
Your question is too broad. So they answer IT DEPENDS
Some people find a niche and stick it out
Some people wait out their retention bonus and then leave
Some people are like sheep (waiting)
Some people are always actively exploring options
and some people are bitter because they've been laid off so they ask silly questions