I was LR'd a few months ago after 16 years.

I was LR'd a few months ago after 16 years. Best thing that could have happened. I am in my 50's and was curious if it had to do with my age. In the separation package there was a whole section with a list of the positions eliminated and the ages of the people in them. The ages were all over the place and I am sure it was done to prevent age discrimination lawsuits. I don't feel it was about my age.

The package was good, and even though I found an internal position, I chose to take the package and leave. I found a new gig almost immediately and never put my resume on the street. I miss working with the people I have for the last 16 years, but life goes on and we stay in touch. Cisco owes me nothing. Having that experience and leaving in good status has made the transition extremely easy. And they handled it very well, with great regard for me and my family's well being.

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As mentioned in another post, each person's situation is different. It is great that the LR worked out so well for you and your family but that is not the case for everyone - including well qualified people who have kept their skills current and have a great work ethic. For people in their 60s for example, the prospects of getting a comparable position to what they had in Cisco are not good. Even if they had contributed to the max in their 401K for their entire working life, some people are not financially ready to retire due to life circumstances (needing to support dependents, prolonged illness, etc) and being layed off will have a huge impact on their lives from which they cannot recover so late in life.

Noone expects Cisco to be a charity and carry employees that are not contributing value to the company but the sad truth is that Cisco is pushing needed experience and expertise out the door while irreparably damaging some people's lives. If I had a nickel for every time I heard John Chambers say "Our people are our most valuable asset" I could retire today. The sad truth is that Cisco has not done a very good job managing their "most valuable assets" and people expected better based on such statements from John and other Executives. Employees feels like Executives have broken trust and actually view people as very disposable assets. Morale is at an all-time low and yes, people who don't like it, including those that Cisco wants to retain, are definitely leaving.

"Cisco owes me nothing" - fair enough bro

What was the package as I will most likely be in the same boat !

Thread regarding Cisco Systems Inc. layoffs

I was LR'd a few months ago after 16 years.

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