Thread regarding IBM layoffs

ThEsE jOkEs HuRt My fEeLiNgS! dOwNvOtE!!! ::sips soy milk::

IBM is still struggling to meet the headcount quota required to keep the tax breaks/subsidies they were granted when they opened the facility in Columbia, MO a few years ago. If you can manage the colocation option, you might be safe from future RAs for a couple of years.

300k employees is worldwide. US is around 70k. Obviously less now....

Been with IBM for 3 years and my company that was acquired a year before that. I just got canned because it was "determined my job was no longer needed". Interesting how most of my day was spent instructing client execs how to do their jobs. PS. Client Execs make 6 figures and I probably made half of what they do. Always took on whatever project was deemed necessary including PHASING MY ROLE OUT! I was told I'd be moving to a new position and now I'm being told that was never feasible. Dangled the carrot in front of me and I fell for it. Shame on me I guess.

Was already scheduled to go on paternity leave(12wks eligible) from 6/1 to 7/31 and part time in
August. I was told my last day was 6/22 and as a courtesy I could take June as paternity.
Doesn’t seem right.

Sounds like you need a lawyer to help you.

1ucz+154KgwW3

Does a lump sum severance impact applying for unemployment insurance?

For those hinting they may quit before their scheduled departure date due to system upgrades or project end date, don't. You then are not eligible for severance, Cobra or unemployment. I use to work in HR a few years ago (before I was RA'd). I know what I'm talking about.

Heard yesterday 4,200 were cut in GTS. Does anyone know the numbers overall? Because IBM has (had) over 350,000 employees that justifies the statement, "is there any doubt an RA was badly needed"? Wow, a bit ignorant and rather harsh coming from a contractor, or anyone for that matter. It's not the number of employees that justifies an RA - Especially insulting, posting to several hundred, if not thousand people that just lost their job, myself included. Some of my friends had more than 20 years in and yes we're all in our 50's. There is still the law suit going according to Shannon Liss-Riordan, a partner at Lichten & Liss-Riordan, PC in Boston. Some of us may want to consider contacting her. Best of luck to my friends, and former co-workers; you are by far the finest, kindest, most talented group of people I've ever had the privilege to work with.

@Vidhi All of citizens, permanent residents and visa holders are affected. Pretty sure they might have withdrawn the H1B applications for the visa holders in this first round of RA too.

So much for our new CEO. Already lost credibility with it's employees. IBM's future is going to be grim and I hope I am one to be let go because I do not want to be part of this CEO's 'team'. Which I doubt he sees US as a team.

Current IBMer here, the RA was originally planned for Q1 longer before the pandemic started.

After Arvind was announced and Q1 outlook worsened , I heard from pretty high up that he made the decision to hold off on the announcements at end of Q1 indifferent to Ginni who wanted to go forward (presumably for more $$).

I feel for everyone effected and impacted ... totally s—s ... However I think the blame is misplaced on Arvind, he was left with a pile of sh– that Ginni never fixed for years ... which she inherited from Palmisano ...

I complained that once again IBM did not make their GDP (growth driven profit sharing numbers) in 2020, yet Exec's still got bonuses... Could never figure out (other than greed of course, I'm not naive) why the employee GDP measures were different than the Execs...

Time for a shareholder referendum..?..

Did IBM lay-off American citizens only? Or do the layoffs include mix of visa holders, GC , citizens?

I was RAed in September last year (58 y/o, 35Y 8M service)
The "packages" mentioned here are very similar to what I received except that mine was 90 day notice and 30 day severance. I was paid for unused accrued vacation days (16.5). 401K match was through my last day of work, deposited about a month later. Got subsidized insurance at same employee cost for 12 months with ability to buy at full COBRA rate for additional six months. Retained Future Health Account balance for future use.
Started a new job with less stress, similar pay, and good benefits six weeks later.

I'm 50 and would have celebrated my 25th work anniversary in October. Both myself and the dozen people on my sales team were all RAed yesterday.

yup, heard thursday via manager. they were anxious and prepared. same terms as others.

RA stands for "resource action", just IBM's acronym for laying off. (IBM does love it's confusing acronyms).

@1chh+154KgwW3 I saw a LinkedIn post from Wednesday or early yesterday from a current red hatter talking about how great red hat is/how that day they had a company meeting where they were told all employees are being given an additional day of pto each quarter (a “recharge day”) as well as a one time payment of $250 in June to use however they want, no receipts required, for all employees senior manager and below.
So. Not sure if any were still affected, but sounds pretty great to be over there, considering the carnage on our side.

RA = Resource Action

Anyone know if any Red Hatters were affected?

What is RA?

24 years at IBM, Top Talent designation, Too many awards and recognitions to count. Entire team and management cut. Sad day but somewhat expected. IBM is in really bad shape now, and has been for 15+ years. Good luck to those that are left.

IBM has, at the latest count, over 350000 employees. That is more than the entire US Army! Is there any doubt that this RA is badly needed? Btw, I was let go as a contractor on the first day the new CEO took his position. The only thing I can say right now is where is Lou Gerstner when we need him again. Sorry, but this is how I feel right now.

I was impacted as well. I’ve been a scrum master and currently an agile coach. Executives say we want to become agile, improve the culture. That will never happen is absolutely not true. Shareholders first employees don’t matter. With that thinking you’ll never succeed

I feel for all of you, company has not been the same in the last few years, The problem is not the workers. Are they using the pandemic as an excuse? shame on them. I was force out of the company for two main reasons health and age factor, To this day which I framed my last check stub as a reminder of whom they are..it reads under the tax bracket OLD AGE. Good luck to all of you!!!!

Just another "me too". Over 30 years with IBM and always top rated. Tons of billable work in the immediate pipeline, and I'm literally the only person who can perform that work. But nobody cares or will listen to reason. You're just an "overhead" number and you've been RA'd, effective immediately. Same package: 30 days notice, 90 days pay, 12 months medical.

Hit by RA yesterday as well. Joining the ranks of so many unemployed for first time in my career. Sending best wishes to all of my colleagues who have also been notified.

Was already scheduled to go on paternity leave(12wks eligible) from 6/1 to 7/31 and part time in August. I was told my last day was 6/22 and as a courtesy I could take June as paternity. Doesn’t seem right.

Some think Wall Street is ruthless, not compared to IBM
https://example.com/3gcdSDv @ibm @GoldmanSachs @visa @DeutscheBank #MemorialDayWeekend

Anyone know if the 401k IBM match will be paid as we’re being RA’d before December 31? The severance doc is not clear about that.

Definitely not - the whole reason IBM changed it to end-of-year is so they could save the matching dollars if people quit or were laid off before December 15th.

RA'd in GTS. 12 years in IBM, one of the top performers, mid-40s. All US regulars on my team got RA'd including our manager. All have great technical skills, experience, 20+ years IBMers and just excellent team to work with.
Constructors, subs and other geos were not affected this time. Got two options:

1. Relocate to Missouri, report there on Sep 28 with new position and job function (was not specified what options are available). I personally think it's just a blow.
2. 30 days + 3 months lump sum.

my last day is conspicuously mid-July after a huge upgrade is completed. Which leaves me the opportunity to quit before the upgrade muahahahaa

Or, you could make sure the upgrade does not finish on time and/or as expected. What have you got to lose?

Part of an acquisition from 2015 in IBM Cloud, went from receiving retention bonuses and good reviews to lost job today.

Treasure Wild Ducks???

RAd today in research

Been with IBM for 4 years since they bought The Weather Company in 2016. Was working with TWC for one before IBM came in the picture. Everyone but one person on our team was RA'ed today. Brutal.

16 years at IBM. Great reviews and great customer feedback. RA’d today. I work with really talented and focused Cloud and on-prem database specialists. It’s sad to see all of us dismissed and I’ll greatly miss my colleagues and manager. It’s hard to see how the projects we undertake will possibly succeed with what I gather will be a mostly outsourced staffing model. Maybe stop building products that are the latest great thing to only find them woefully incomplete and their capabilities vastly oversold to customers?

I’ve a question about the severance package. It does not say if family members are covered for the 1 year “at employee rate” offer and also it hints at some sort of COBRA subsidy in year 2. Has anyone been able to figure this out?

Anyone know if the 401k IBM match will be paid as we’re being RA’d before December 31? The severance doc is not clear about that.

RA’d after 4 years w/in IBM, last year within GTS. Option to relocate to MO, otherwise same severance package

Here is the email myself anf many many other of soon to be co-workers received today.
================================================================================

In our highly competitive marketplace, IBM must maintain the flexibility and the skill base to meet the demands of clients operating under extremely challenging business conditions. While we always consider the current environment, IBM is now taking structural actions that are critical to our long-term competitiveness.

This includes a workforce reduction which permanently affects your employment.

Recognizing the unique and difficult situation this business decision may create, IBM is significantly expanding your access to medical coverage.

· IBM is offering you medical coverage at active employee rates for 12 months following your separation date, regardless of how long you have been employed by IBM. For many employees, this substantially extends the period during which IBM subsidizes the cost of medical coverage.

· In addition, IBM is extending the availability of continuing medical coverage by six months. This means that, for the second 12-month period following your separation, you can continue your coverage at full COBRA rates.

These changes, which include an increased level of subsidy from IBM, provide access to continuing medical coverage for two full years from when you leave the company.

You also are eligible to receive a lump sum separation payment equal to three months’ pay, along with Career Transition Services and other benefits.

The earliest departure date for any employee located at 299-300 Long Meadow Road, Sterling Forest, NY 10979 is August 19, 2020. Unless you have transferred to a new position within IBM, your last day worked will be Wednesday, August 19, 2020.

The Employee Information Package attached and found here https://w3.ibm.com/w3publisher/employee-info-pkg-may2020 provides details about the IBM separation payment and benefits you’re eligible to receive, key contacts, Summary Plan Description (SPD), a copy of the Separation Agreement, as well as common questions and answers.

You should be aware that IBM won’t displace another IBMer from their current role to place you in that role (called “bumping rights”). However, you are encouraged to apply for any available role within IBM. For more information, refer to the Internal Movement section of the package.

We strongly encourage you to contact Right Management, our Career Transition Services provider, for individualized coaching and guidance. You’ll find a description of Right Management services in your package and more information at www.right.com/getstarted.

Short-term counseling is available for you and your family through the IBM Employee Assistance Program (EAP). Details are in the attached Information Package.

You are also hereby notified that, as a result of your employment loss, you may be eligible to receive job retraining, re-employment services, or other assistance with obtaining new employment from the New York State Department of Labor or its workforce partners upon your termination. You may also be eligible for unemployment insurance benefits after your last day of employment. Whenever possible, the New York State Department of Labor will contact your employer to arrange to provide additional information regarding these benefits and services to you through workshops, interviews, and other activities that will be scheduled prior to the time your employment ends. If your job has already ended, you can also access re-employment information and apply for unemployment insurance benefits on the Department’s website or you may use the contact information provided on the website or visit one of the Department’s local offices for further information and assistance.

For questions, please refer to the contact information below:

1. Benefits questions: IBM Benefits Center provided by Fidelity (866-937-0720)
2. Other HR questions: HR@IBM (hr@us.ibm.com)
3. Restructuring process questions: GTS TM Project Office/Raleigh/IBM

I am here to assist you during this transition. While I acknowledge that this situation is challenging, I appreciate your professionalism and thank you for your service to IBM.

Yeah you know that im survey I took earlier in the week that asked how I was doing? I’d like to change those answers please.

RA'd today myself, too. Am told my last day is conspicuously mid-July after a huge upgrade is completed. Which leaves me the opportunity to quit before the upgrade muahahahaa