The issue I have with Cisco is how they claim to be so ethical. However in one quite well known case an exec had a complaint raised against him. Cisco have a no revenge policy but the person who made the complaint was LR’d. Turned out the exec had created a smoke screen concerning mental health and said the guy was a threat. It turned out the exec had pulled the same stunt at a previous company but that company fired him, this was made public by a dying man on linked in. Cisco though with all the evidence maintained the exec was correct, that was until they had to go to court. It is just sickening to see Cisco hypocrisy.
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If I'm paying $200,000 for an over 50 person and I can get the same or more work from a 30 year old with eight years experience at $130,000 am I discriminating against the over 50 or making a wise business decision where I can exchange two old people for three young ones, generating 50% or more work for $10,000 less per year?
I've seen some form of this question on this site for quite a while. They all get down voted but no one seems willing to give an answer. My answer is it isn't discrimination, it's market forces. Has anyone who interviewed at a modern tech firm and was offered a six digit salary refused the salary because manual laborers are putting in more hours for less money doing work that will destroy their bodies by 50? No, you ask about the stock plans. Those of us who are old and making most of our money in the market are no different.
Distinguished engineer is limited to 2% of engineering.
The age discrimination at Cisco is blatant...
If I'm paying $200,000 for an over 50 person and I can get the same or more work from a 30 year old with eight years experience at $130,000 am I discriminating against the over 50 or making a wise business decision where I can exchange two old people for three young ones, generating 50% or more work for $10,000 less per year?
The greatest need of most companies is for solid low level skills that most master from about 2-10 years. The level above entry (where entry is often split into 3-4 levels) only needs about 10% of the overall staff, and the level above that only needs 2% of the overall staff. Those positions don't open up often at most companies. Cisco made up far too many titles and promoted far too many well beyond their skill set where people filled that space with ego rather than skills, and it's cost Cisco dearly.
Everywhere else your choice is to jump jobs and build the skills to make those top positions, hit the 2-10 year wall and make the same mistakes until you are laid off, or move to management. Companies won't pay top dollar for entry level work from people who happen to be old, and old people won't accept an entry level salary for work which is entirely entry level. Over time those that can't keep up scream "union!" in an attempt to create a seniority scheme based solely on age, not ability.
The age discrimination at Cisco is blatant but you have to give legal credit for sciencing it out to have plausible deniability in a lawsuit. They got two 50+ that were good performers in my group and the 2 young DEI are already in the group to replace them before they are even gone. Funny, they said they were told their jobs were eliminated due to reorg ... as I said, just blatant, but well planned age discrimination.
All very well, but if you hide yourself nobody has any visibility you add any value at all, which can itself make you a target. Those who last longest don't rock the boat. If you disagree with something make your point and then move on (agree to disagree). Those who did their heels in (even if for the 'good of the company') it seems don't last long...
Cisco offers mental health to avoid legal issues. HR clearly knows what they are doing to older employees and just covering themselves legally.
I've seen some great folks left go just because of their age and salary. I haven't seen a retirement party in 5+ years, so that should tell you something. There is circumstantial evidence like this everywhere! Cisco coerces people to sign because they can't afford not to or to fight Cisco on their own, so the abuse or older employees just continues.
When is it going to be so obvious that there will be a class action against Cisco?
is the collaboration leader JK.
If folks are 50+ better to stay low. Hide yourself to the extreme. Especially on all hands meeting. Don't let people see you don't say anything. Or not join in person.
It is very hard to find job after 50, maybe you are better than most. But when you have no job you are nothing.