Thread regarding Cisco Systems Inc. layoffs

let them have their cake

Leadership is facing the same reality as IC’s. Your manager does not know if you will be axed. Your manager doesn’t know if they will be axed. Your whole team may or may not be axed. Same is true for your L2 manager.

Cisco has annual LR's. Good economy, bad economy, Democrat or Republican POTUS in office, it doesn't matter. LR's at companies are not uncommon, Cisco does them religiously.

You ever seen an old film from the 70's called Logan's Run? Check it out. Cisco layoffs are like when they would send people to carousel. You might have missed this year, but your time will come eventually.

Who wants to work for a company like that?

"My performance meetings with manager have always been great and there has been no negative feedback from manager"

This does not matter. The sooner you realize that fact the better. Not saying to do a bad job or anything but these LRs are about saving money and not performance.

My manager has been pretty open about not having an idea what will happen. Whether that means they’re on the chopping block or not, I don’t know. There’s definitely a weird vibe, I think most people are picking up on it. Things just feel off. I’d imagine come early September most managers will know. My manager has been more quiet than usual to the entire team, not responding to team messages much or anything but it’s like this every time there is an LR and I’m still here for now. Wouldn’t read much into it

I am level 2 manager. If a manager ignores your emails/chats at this time, it is part of business. We have been instructed to keep a low profile in regards to communications with our direct reports and below. The LR list for some teams have been finalized, other teams it's a work in progress. I have survived 14 LRs here at Cisco. If they cut me, I will happily go. If not, life goes on.

Right now, the sense of tension is so high a manager could sneeze a certain way and make one wonder what's going on. Don't feel bad, but don't read too much into it, either.

Have managers even been given the list yet anyway?

They may have signed NDA, even though you might not be on list they may be trying to avoid Qs on layoff altogether

Maybe your manager knows he is on the list.

Yes, your feelings are always correct, well prepare for it.

Don’t try to make sense of these desperate times. Don’t analyze why someone could be axed. Anyone who tried to reason out last ten years, still looking for facts and reasons. You are just a number. You will be fine. It’s not the end of the world, no matter what happens.

You care too much about the actions of your manager.
Learn to let go. Do not fear the reaper.

Don't try and rationalise the LRs. That's a one-way ticket to insanity. You can be top tier and still LR'ed. Best thing to do is interview for another job.