Thread regarding Cisco Systems Inc. layoffs

The frequency of layoffs at Cisco is ridiculous

Sure there are Layoffs, and to a certain degree, yes, that's business.

BUT the frequency and - having just been throuh the experience again in my site - MANNER in which they are carried out are in my opinion not just business.

The frequency smells of poor management vision. It's one thing to have quarterly results driving the business - Cisco is publicly quoted after all - but having that drive the headcount on such a regular basis is a cruel joke,

The manner in which it is done, where someone "names the name", the wait for the axe, then "the cut" is bad enough. Seeing YET AGAIN someone whose role is in fact necessary get the chop, and a re-jig to fill the gap left behind, tells me the "role no longer necessary" lie is still just that.

Why am I still here? They pay me well enough to put up with it, but not enough to be happy about it; job hunt is always ongoing.

I agree completely, @O5SlHSp-uud. We all seem to be under constant stress caused by looming layoffs. If there was some logic to it, I'd understand, but good people who are doing the job that is required for us to function properly have been let go simply to fill the quota. That's lousy management right there.

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| 4861 views | | 17 replies (last July 10, 2017) | Reply
Post ID: @OP+O73IHCL

17 replies (most recent on top)

LR will happen in Aug, change is definitely afoot. It is EXPECTED yearly in Aug.

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Post ID: @5xrr+O73IHCL

Especcially in SP sector it takes years to build the trust, relation and create a solid plan. With the quarter-to-quarter living this is hurting our long term prospects. Cisco mgmt look at pure numbers and no surprise huawei, nokia and some small players are beating cisco in SP market.

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Post ID: @4qmt+O73IHCL

I think at this point Cisco is surviving purely on its brand recognition. Management are scum and they're driven by scum leadership. Who know how to present powerpoints.

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Post ID: @3loa+O73IHCL

I'm not a betting person but I'd put money on their being another pretty large wave of "restructuring" in the near horizon. Stealth mode or otherwise I believe many cisco souls will lose their jobs in the next two months.

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Post ID: @3jqr+O73IHCL

Sleazy is a right word. With new management in place 2 years ago, they forgot the DNA of why Cisco was successful. It's a very different company right now for sure.

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Post ID: @3mdu+O73IHCL

I haven't heard anything regarding an August layoff. With all the resignations, lets hope there will not be an August layoff. Maybe a silent layoff like in 2015?

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Post ID: @2xsu+O73IHCL

Have we heard anything yet about another August Layoff this year??

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Post ID: @2izc+O73IHCL

@O73IHCL-1msu

I am sure you are not into Technical job or else you would understand how it feels when you are suddenly pushed away from the skillset you sharpen over years to a technology which is almost dead and you are doing it just for the sake nobody else would do it.

There is something called selfesteem which is why people would prefer to move out when things are not so encouraging around, You hit one bird on tree others will fly away...

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Post ID: @2cor+O73IHCL

I thought they skipped 2015 layoffs?

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Post ID: @1ywo+O73IHCL

If I'm not mistaken, Cisco Live is self-funded, maybe even profitable. The passes, certs, and other activities are mostly all paid by the customer and are not cheap. So, no, I don't believe CL is wasteful but one way to engage with customers to develop the brand. Now, GSX on the other hand :)

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Post ID: @1rby+O73IHCL

I have to wholeheartedly agree with @O73IHCL-1dcl. CiscoLive is an absolute splurge of gluttonous proportions. For me it is bordering on shameless behavior given the number of our colleagues they have axed (and continue to axe) to finance this extravagance with the last 4 or 5 years. I would also be fearful of any further bonus payout in this fiscal year given the reigned-in forecasts and poor performance on the street. If it saves the jobs of thousands of Cisco staff then I hope we don't actually get any further payment. But hey, this is Cisco - what is right is unlikely to be what will actually happen.

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Post ID: @1aav+O73IHCL

LR'd earlier this year. Never had skyrocket grade or pay level. Assuming I was targeted due to long term tenure and age. The others LR'd at same time at same site had similar characteristics.

Surprisingly not all of us are white males over fifty.

Another thread comments today on LR proceeds being used for bonuses. Another current thread also comments about an LR quota system.

Being part of this big machine for many years, knowing that the longer I stayed, the greater chance I had of being hit; the biggest part on the other side is attending CiscoLive!, to witness the rediculously unnecessary corporate expense...to include concerts for thousands, food extravagance, and general poor cost control. Frugality!

Call me jaded, a sore looser, or whatever the heck you like.

Mr. Chambers once pushed the term "frugality", that word has no translation in to 2017 Cisco culture.

Enjoy your times at Cisco, and do work hard and build good working relationships, and learn for the future.

Don't be surprised when or if it is your turn to be LR-sacrificed for a round of CiscoLive! T-bone steaks for everyone.

Most importantly don't build your own spending liabilities to be reliant on Mother Cisco, because you indeed may be an honest star performer today, but once she digests your value contribution, don't be surprised when she sh!ts you out.

I honestly wish Cisco the best and everyone working the best; I just think if things were more frugal, costs controlled, and spending overall more structured, the company would be much more healthier even than it is now.

Plus there wouldn't be a board for shunned LR victims to ramble on incessantly...but look who's typing...

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Post ID: @1dcl+O73IHCL

A company that has to repeatedly lay people off to keep Wall Street happy has a significant strategy and execution problem. The fact that Wall Street continues to be satisfied by this astounds me.

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Post ID: @1ypt+O73IHCL

@O73IHCL-1msu

"few of us moved in some other team without even taking our consent"

Who works for who? Surely you work for Cisco. I would have thought it was a good thing they saw fit to move you rather than LR you. I suspect you would be moaning if you were LR'd and now you are moaning you were given an opportunity in another team...and then yet another opportunity because you cried about the first move...boo hoo.

You sound a bit precious to me mate. Sounds like when you boil your post down you are moaning about the fact Cisco tried to retain you. I'm sure all the folks who are LRd would have loved the opportunity to stay.

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Post ID: @1hxh+O73IHCL

I was disappointed by continuous layoff , my previous team was closed and few of us moved in some other team without even taking our consent. Manager and work both were not encouraging hence i opted to move out. When i was moving out i was asked what is the reason of making this move (I was like ...seriously !!!! ) and was offered some other team as optional movement but I made my mind and took off...let see how it goes with the time.

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Post ID: @1msu+O73IHCL

It's happening this one is going to be a nasty one.

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Post ID: @yks+O73IHCL

The unannounced layoffs really agitate me. In 2015, the company had some rather significant layoffs, but never made a public announcement. Watching high-performing people disappear without an announcement is just sleazy.

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Post ID: @zeu+O73IHCL

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