Thread regarding Hewlett Packard Enterprise (HPE) layoffs

WHY does HPE never (or hardy ever) hire back, those laid off?

As has been discussed here before, one of the reasons why, is so that they can whine and cry to Congress, they need more H-1B allocations, because they just can NOT find any qualified native workers ANYWHERE! And H-1B workers cannot flee to a better job... They are like the indentured servants (semi-slaves) of today. PLUS, when they go home (to India for example), there's that many more people "over there", who know the ways of HPE, to facilitate more "off-shoring".

Another reason why is simply overwhelming narcissistic ego (arrogance, conceit) by HPE managers collectively. NO HPE manager, anywhere, EVER makes a mistake in selecting you to be "laid off"! Their excreement does not stink at all, that is. Hiring you back might call this whole ball of festering nastiness (illusions of infallibility) into question...

It doesn't make senses. I get hire by BC and I get kiked the same day feel so bad! I love my job

I was WFR'd earlier this year in the US. Had a job offer inside of a week. Took another 5 weeks to get the approval, but it did get approved. I'm in my 60s. It is possible.

@4tyg Indeed. One of my very good colleagues drives across the border every day. He used to work two days from home because of the hours he gets stuck at border patrol, but now HPE says he must come to the office everyday... Lost productivity.

I had the same experience, -4ubq. Also "low cost locations", such as Mexicans driving across the border to work in El Paso...

@4ubq Agreed!!

They call it Work Force Reduction but they should really be calling it Work Force Replacement since in many cases they are replacing higher paid US employees with low cost resources in India and Costa Rica. 90% of our PMO group was replaced in this fashion.

Oh I wasn't saying anybody should go back and I definitely would never want to work there again EVER! I was just saying with lots of signatures it's possible...made me shiver and get nauseated just thinking about working there again.

Not sure why anyone would want to go back to the nightmare. HPE's unraveling is like a train wreck in slow motion. The engine has stopped and the box cars are starting to pile up on each other in a chain reaction.

Again... Why in the work would anyone want to go back to HPE... People, get over it... I know a layoff can be traumatic, but stop wasting your time on that. There are much greener pastures everywhere... HPE nowadays (well, since 2001) IS NOT a good Company to work for. I wouldn't recommend it to anyone currently looking for a job.

@2iuv. Yep, in 2015/16 to get re-hired whether WFR or left voluntarily, you'd need an act of HP god (eg.. vp maybe even meg at this point) to re-hire) or you already walk on water..

I think you can get hired back, but it takes some great effort by the hiring manager and lots of signatures to get you back.

The "no rehire" policy does not just apply to WFRs. I left in 2012 voluntarily. When I was looking for a job again in 2015 I looked at HP and they said anyone who had left, for any reason, would not be re-hired.

@JEJfNsw-2god

No worries. I interviewed with Dell before I interviewed with HP. I'm glad they didn't move forward with me. As for CSRA, they seemed like nice folks but no...just no. No more.

I'm working for a much smaller company now. Nicer folks, better pay, newer technologies, less bullshit.

Just face the facts - there is pocket stuffing going on at the high levels.

Capitalism at it's best for the rich, at it's worst for the worker.

Corporations are answering to the shareholders 1st, clients second and workers long after everyone else.

notice I used "workers" not employees.

One reason WFRs are now ineligible for rehire is that HPE can immediately take back any unvested 401k employer contributions, which means staff with less than 3 years of service lose all of the employer match whether they ever come back or not. If you are eligible for rehire, the employer needs to hold that unvested balance for 5 years in case you come back. This rule protects workers in manufacturing or seasonally employed like construction workers with long service who are often temporarily furloughed on a regular basis so they don't lose everything each time. It is called the IRS Rule of Parity if you want to look it up. Since HPE staff being WFRd are not designated as eligible for rehire, if you do come back in the future, all your previous years of service are lost for purposes of seniority, pensions, vacation accrual, etc and you would be the same as a new hire with no prior service. BIG financial advantage to HPE to now structure layoffs this way.

The current policy is that you can't come back, but it has changed so many times over the years that you will likely be able to come back eventually if you wanted to put yourself through that.

Everyone should be wary of accepting another position at HPE. Especially if you are in the redeployment period - if they make you offer you have to accept or you are no longer eligible for the severance package. And before HP public relations says "no way" it's right there in the paper work.

I was WFR'd around 2005. I'm currently a contractor. I know of at least one former WFRee who has been rehired full time. So.... bullshit.

@ @JEJfNsw-2lhr

Skip Dell, I am sure - personal experience here. I went from EDS to Dell, came back to EDS/HP now HPE headed to NewCo. Dell is awful! My Mgr was a jerk, no raises, no growth, low 401K match, high healthcare benefit premiums and co-pays. Just say No to: HP, HPE, Dell, CSC, SRA.

I'd rather work for Dell, Cisco, Apple, Amazon, or one of the Indian body shops before I return to HP or HPE.

So the point is moot.

@JEJfNsw-1mpu: Never think a company "cares" about you. That's not the model of a successful company.

I dunno... seems like when companies start pulling the sort of anti-employee actions that Meg has pulled, they are on the downward trend, meanwhile, there are plenty of very successful companies who regularly appear on the "best places to work at" lists. Let's face it, HP/HPI/HPE/NewCorp is on the ropes.

When people are your primary asset, the selling point to your clients, perhaps it is in your best interest, as a company, to take care of them.

Different companies have different terms, like RIF - reduction in force; work force reduction; etc. Call it what you want, but it basically comes down to an accounting game, with politics mixed in. There's a number that has to be reached, and then a bunch of different power people, each with a different amount of weight, decides who needs to go. People make the mistake of considering they are important in the scheme of the company success or have any level of relationship with anyone else in the company. You are a number, and no one, and I mean no one, ultimately has the interest or power to "have your back". Be like sales professionals. Look at HPE or any other company you may work for as an opportunity to take what you can in terms of pay; retirement contributions; benefits; training; learning about the business; adding to your resume; etc. in exchange for doing work that meets your standards. When you adopt this approach, you are in charge. Never think a company "cares" about you. That's not the model of a successful company.

OP here... not saying I'd want to come back, I just find it strange.

I fully agree with @svj... Why in the world would I want to come back? Ufff!

I resigned from HP back in 2006 for to work for another IT company on a contractual basis, giving one days notice. I applied for and accepted an offer from HP 9 months later. I agree with the original poster - resign from HPE and apply later - no problem. If you are selected for layoff you may as well have been fired for gross misconduct. BTW - if you want a pay increase - resign and come back later and negotiate your salary - it worked for me.

Who in their right mind would want to go back to work for HPE?

I doubt they'd welcome you back if leaving under your own accord. I don't indications of this at all, they're looking for volunteers but most are holding out for severance. BTW, severance is vastly different from country to country.