Thread regarding Cisco Systems Inc. layoffs

This is bordering on unethical if not immoral

It doesn't matter your level of performance at CSCO – your direct manager only has so much sway and often is just told who and when to whack people based on decisions that were made layers up. It is about as brutal as it can be, with some teams getting the axe on a group-video call – not even the courtesy to have a 1:1 meeting.

Cisco does many things well, and can be a great place to be – but this part of the organization is bordering on unethical if not immoral. Meanwhile, executives that MADE THE VERY DECISIONS that probably caused the layoffs stay in place, or get shifted to another group and get showered with $ and stock. It is fairly grotesque to see all the internal team talk about accountability, but those doing the admonishment never seem to be accountable.

Found this in an old thread as a reply, I thought it deserved to be on top. OP is @VTkYoIC-4qjul.

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Post ID: @OP+10kh65mo

6 replies (most recent on top)

If true, shows that your leaders lacked the capability to achieve what was planned... which IMHO means the wrong people got shown the door. Should have happened higher up.

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Post ID: @dac+10kh65mo

I am part of this LR and I have to say, I am very optimistic. I agree that rolling layoffs are very bad for the culture, in fact they have really changed it at Cisco IMO, however, I do see this as an opportunity to shift and grow in a new direction, which is much needed. The job I came to Cisco to do never was...I was duped IMO, but I stayed b/c the pay was great. So this change was welcome b/c I'm sure I would have waited around for another year just to "see" if my org would change. It won't and I now I can.

Good luck everyone. I sincerely hope you land well and that we will all look back on this as a futunate turn of events.

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Post ID: @lok+10kh65mo

The CEO surrounds himself with other high functioning sociopaths. You can't climb the corporate ladder at Cisco without lacking empathy.

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Post ID: @nyh+10kh65mo

The CEO is a high functioning sociopath with a Hare PCL-R score of 40.

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Post ID: @twk+10kh65mo

Great point on simplify your life. Made that decision this year after 17 years With Cisco. Blue and red badge. Cisco was good to me and I delivered for them. The way it should be- 50/50. Anyway simplification is liberating. Time is more valuable than money. Experiences are greater than things. I have no idea who said it but the quote is something like- ironic that man expends ones health to gain money only to be willing to to spend it all for ones health. I just wish I had come to this conclusion sooner but I feared runnng out of money. Simplification solves that problem. Now all my time s invested in my family and self and others when I can. The turning point for me was a friend who retired at 55 and told me to stop plannng like I was going to live to be 95 and if I did what would I be capable of doing? Thanks for allowing me to offer an opinion. Sure all are different and some love and live to work. Not judging. Just saying that one should not fear life after Cisco. You might be surprised what your options are

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Post ID: @bao+10kh65mo

Good post. Being LR'd, once having gone through it, can be a life-changing, self-necessary, and worthy event. Try to look at it as an opportunity of awakening, as stupid as that might sound to those either living it now, or afraid of the future. I spent almost two decades as a blue badge, primarily driven by money. Yes we have to take care of our families, but most people get by just fine on far less that Cisco salaries. People work hard, and want to be rewarded undestandably. The lesson I have hopefully finally learned is, yes, take it seriously, but most of all do not be afraid; of the future, or to be calmly prepared to walk away at a moment's notice. It's your time, and yours to live it. It's just life. This won't be the most challenging situation you still have to face in life. Accept what is now and simplify your life.

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Post ID: @gaf+10kh65mo

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