Is this really true? What specific business units had layoffs? Nobody I know seems to know. But something went down for certain.
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We’ve moved on from seeing who searches for PH to identify who is on Layoff.com to more sophisticated techniques.
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@8ypu+1qHCpTSd What the heck is an “inkling”?
Does that mean you have something to base it on or that it is pure speculation rooted in nothingness?
I agree, it would be unwise to think anyone is safe for the next couple of years.
It would be foolish to not have a plan for when you're made redundant. Even if that means selling the house, downsizing, etc. For anyone who has worked for 10+ years at SAS and has been sensible with their money, that shouldn't cause hardship - just perhaps an adjustment of expectations and lifestyle.
i have an inkling that more layoffs will occur by the end of February.
@8oln+1qHCpTSd This is the absolute truth. Except I don't believe that current employees have the luxury of a couple of years left to prepare before the sale occurs.
"I believe the SAS CEO knows exactly what he is doing. I believe the phrase “IPO-Ready” means “For Sale”. So I believe that current employees have a couple of years to prepare for change."
@8iof+1qHCpTSd, I was frustrated for most of my career at SAS, but for family reasons I intended to retire there. Then, like you, I got “managed out”. My project merged with another, and the merger was managed in such a way that my whole team left. (That manager, of course, is still his position -- part of the problem at SAS.)
Like @8ivi+1qHCpTSd, I was fortunate to work on a project that required somewhat marketable skills. I was missing some important skills, so my job search took months. But I found work during the pandemic stimulus. Because of my age, I don’t believe I could get hired now.
If I were still at SAS, and near retirement, I’d stay. If I were younger, I’d plan to change careers in the next few years. I’d use the time between now and the IPO to upgrade my skills, develop my network -- and vent my frustrations in this forum 😂.
I believe the SAS CEO knows exactly what he is doing. I believe the phrase “IPO-Ready” means “For Sale”. So I believe that current employees have a couple of years to prepare for change.
Fair enough. I appreciate the objective response.
For the most part, I liked working at SAS. The department I worked in operated oddly, but as long as I interfaced with outside departments there was sanity and it was tolerable. And then there were a series of management changes and activities that were truly crazy-making. Several people were managed out, myself included.
Without writing a novel, several things were going on both inside and outside of SAS that resulted in bitterness about having my cheese (re)moved. I used to think I was tremendously skilled and would be just fine elsewhere, but so far, the skills I gained (and lost) at SAS haven't been useful elsewhere. The world outside the SAS gates will humble you very quickly, especially when you consider what you've lost compared to your outside peers.
As for my previous career skills, those used to be valuable. Now you can't give them away.
Base skills need to be refreshed and repurposed, and I need to start over. It's very frustrating.
"The sadness of SAS’ current situation...Probably most of all—an aging founder/CEO/billionaire private owner who presided over many years of decline while continuing to think Modern analytics professionals should actually care about aging, tedious tools like the Data Step and SAS Macros."
That comment is bang on.
What is it about billionaire tech company founders? They start off as normal (but typically gifted) people as they build the thing that makes them successful, but then their success and wealth brings an aura to them, and they begin to live in an alternative reality where everyone surrounding them is either like them, or are terrified of them, or are sycophants.
JG has lived in that alternative reality bubble for decades. And while others have Wall Street to answer to, he does not. Unlike Musk, Bezos, Zuckerberg, etc. there is no accountability. Nobody ever asks him difficult questions. He is worshipped like a cult leader by those he interacts with on a daily basis.
It's no wonder SAS has lost its way. I wonder if he even realises. I wonder if he cares any more. I wonder if he has the mental faculties for either. I guess we won't ever know. When was the list time anyone even saw him in public?
I felt trapped for the last decade of my SAS career, after crossing 50 years old. spent hundreds of hours strategizing and studying to have the best shot a “closing the gap“ between what could be the end of a long SAS tech career and retirement. Also put in tons of overtime at SAS and was fortunate to work on some key projects in rare areas that while not “mainstream”, were marketable to big tech.
The remote work tech hiring bo-m was one silver lining of COVID. I was extremely fortunate to move from SAS to a healthy, well-managed and growing company who were quite enthusiastic about my skills. I will not lie, the interview process was tough and the new job a big change—one that made me realize just how many top-notch professional exist outside of SAS. That was a few years back and getting hired now seem to even more challenging.
The sadness of SAS’ current situation has been lamented across many threads in this forum. The biggest tragedy is things didn’t have to become this way. There is/was lots of talent at SAS and plenty of opportunity for advanced analytics and industrial strength data wrangling. The problem is too many silly initiatives were funded, too many incompetent/lazy people or political operatives in it for themselves where put in charge, etc. Probably most of all—an aging founder/CEO/billionaire private owner who presided over many years of decline while continuing to think Modern analytics professionals should actually care about aging, tedious tools like the Data Step and SAS Macros.
@7ons+1qHCpTSd My intention wasn’t to be immodest. What would be the point of an anonymous brag?
My point with that comment was to add context in answering the question about why anyone would want to work at SAS.
There are a ton of reasons and they don’t only include reasons of being trapped by circumstances (age, ability, etc), There are also people with other options who choose to stay…
@7uol+1qHCpTSd
I'm really sorry. And if you're one of the 44 testers, there's a good chance I know you.
I figure there's a good chance I won't last at SAS as long as I'd like to either.
“Retired, but still willing to work” describes many of us.
Unless you’ve looked for a tech job in your 50s or 60s, you can’t know how difficult that is. People that age can be frustrated by SAS, yet unable to leave.
It’s not safe to express frustration at work — particularly when your employer is looking to lay people off.
So people use this site to vent their frustrations. I don’t blame them a bit.
"Being honest I am one of the people that could probably transition to one of the magnificent 7 if I wanted to. "
You are far, far too modest.
"What I don’t get are the whiners who don’t leave. If it so bad leave. Have the courage to back up your words."
To you, it sounds like whining. To others, they are frustrated. Frustrated by the waste and other nonsense they witness day after day. Frustrated with being unclear as to what's really going on with the company. Frustrated with the realization that the "glamour" of SAS really isn't worth much in the outside world. Frustrated with seeing nepotism, cronyism, and meritless promotions. Frustrated by the lack of objectivity within the company.
"If it's so bad, leave. Have the courage to back up your words". If only life were so simple, so black and white, and my only consideration was myself and my personal happiness.
retire, but still willing to work
“were you able to find work? or retire?”
retire
@7uol+1qHCpTSd were you able to find work? or retire?
@7uol+1qHCpTSd I think that is what bugs me. Good people were let go who want to be here and yet there appear to be folks still there who don’t want to be.
Layoff those people instead…
“In this era of age discrimination and competition, I am not hireable elsewhere in tech. I LOVE the work I do here at SAS and the fantastic opportunities I've had to learn and grow …….”
This post reflects exactly how I felt -
then I was laid off
"genuinely curious. why do ppl work at SAS anymore?”
I honestly get why people have been leaving. Being honest I am one of the people that could probably transition to one of the magnificent 7 if I wanted to. But there are still many reasons people stay also depending on abilities, age, family situations, comfort, stability, loyalty, fear of change, etc…
What I don’t get are the whiners who don’t leave. If it so bad leave. Have the courage to back up your words. If you don’t have the courage or honestly lack the ability to leave then enjoy what you have and try to make changes as you are able.
What percentage of the worlds population would ki-l to be in the position you are in?
Most people in the world would flip that question on its head and ask “Why would anyone ever leave?”
In this era of age discrimination and competition, I am not hireable elsewhere in tech. I LOVE the work I do here at SAS and the fantastic opportunities I've had to learn and grow. It's like this job was made for me - I'm one of lucky ones. I never was and never will be FAANG material, but I'm really good at what I do right here right now and I earn every cent of my compensation.
Too old and too lazy to start over somewhere else. High boredom but low stress. Decent benefits. Decent pay for the effort expended.
"genuinely curious. why do ppl work at SAS anymore?"
Only speaking for myself:
I'm too old to go anywhere else (I would have concerns about my future if I was younger).
Still have some decent projects to work on.
Nice hybrid work environment where WFH 3 days a week.
Enjoy the people I work with.
Excellent benefits (e.g. on-site health care, great food in cafeterias, great insurance).
Make a decent salary (I'm not Google/Apple/Facebook quality, so don't expect to earn what they do).
Private office.
genuinely curious. why do ppl work at SAS anymore?
Thanks. The obvious choice.
GB is probably Grant Brooks. Sperry wearing DC preppy who has never carried an individual quota in his life. Head of govt sales which is basically federal agencies held hostage by legacy SAS code and the State of North Carolina which spends tens of millions with SAS each year.
For those of us not in the loop. Who is GB?
The next update will be that "she is spending time with family". GB or similar will be named in her place and the clock will finally start for the folks that were her protected ones. The crazy that is sales will continue until the next failing. Wonder how long before the protected ones are cut?
Out for personal reasons, but over time, will cease to be mentioned.
At the global front line kick off this morning, Riad did mention Paula. Said she’s out for “personal” reasons
Paula, I miss you already.
Not necessarily would he shout Paula out if she were out sick - medical issues are extremely private!
Not a peep about Paula. If she was not well or whatever someone would have said something. Riad shouted out Trish Dowty for not being there but not a word about Paula?
Where's Waldo? Errrrr I meant Paula.
"downvoted just because ;)"
I agree, and I gave @2ggd+1qHCpTSd a downvote just to break the vicious cycle of "Always the two downvotes..." Now anon has three!
downvoted just because ;)
"Always the two downvotes on my comments. I bet they have my identity pegged."
Always the two downvotes on my comments. I bet they have my identity pegged.
PH is on special assignment to lead the 2024 SAS Jackathon.
More rumor and speculation of course, but maybe the "exceptional circumstances" was a lack of interest in the Americas? Collapse it all into a Global Kickoff to justify the cost?
"I’m probably going to abandon this site since there really is no benefit to being here."
Okay, bye. We won't miss you, anon. We have no idea what posts you authored. No one will even notice that you're gone. That's anonymity for you.
FYI the Americas kickoff is not delayed. It has been replaced by what is now called a global kickoff. if you saved the original outlook invite for the Americas kick off, click the link to watch the video. The page says cancelled "due to exceptional circumstances" and says watch the global kickoff instead.