Thread regarding Cisco Systems Inc. layoffs

Doesn’t matter if you are male, female, any other Identity - you are a target if you are 45+ and a middle manager grade 11 and up. Bonus’ goes up at L12 so that’s an issue as well. Then insurance costs go up with age... Don’t let them know if you have any chronic defect - allergies, migraines, back issues, etc... Cisco self insures so it’s part of your overhead... As a senior employee you will be more expensive than a youngster aka cost of employee vs revenue - not as efficient (hypothetically) with higher salary, bonus, and health. Forget loyalty and knowing how things work or lessons learned. Just a commodity...

Anyone over 45 has a target on their head. Yes white is a factor but I see more age and mid to senior level - why keep middle aged experienced and loyal employees when you can go offshore and hire contact workers with no overhead - it’s all a shell game based on operational cost and tax breaks... Execs only care about the margin and revenue in their BU and Chuckie is a t–d... the older you are the more you cost. Contractors are not overhead employees are... (asset vs throwaway do the math).

@5aoq+13JhDYCn - I, too, was laid off in Aug '16 with my employment ending in Sept '16.

I was handed the paperwork from HR by my manager, who read the HR script he was required to read to me. It had Appendix A, which had the entire breakdown for everyone impacted in my BU. Didn't have to sign anything, agree to anything, etc.

I won't say you're lying, but I personally don't know anyone who got impacted by the various LR's between '11 & '16 who had to sign or agree to anything like you describe to get the list. It's required by law that they give it to you if you are age 40 or older so that you can determine if you want to sue or not. But given that you signed an agreement agreeing to arbitration instead of lawsuits, suing is problematical at best.

I think you got played because you didn't know your rights and didn't push back saying give me the numbers because you have to by law. Thanks for giving me my case even better standing by breaking the law denying me this required info.

Hell, I was 32 the first time I got laid off by a company and they gave me that info even though I was under 40.

@1dcl+13JhDYCn That is not correct about them giving age breakdown, etc. I was laid off in Sept. 2016. To get the full severance amount we had to sign the agreement saying we would not sue Cisco, etc. Also, they told us if we wanted to see the layoff demographics we had to sign the agreement first.

There Job Openings email has the header "Number One Workplace In the World"

W ho TF are theses guys polling? Because it sure isn't Cisco employees.

"H1B layoffs" are NOT layoffs. H1Bs are temporary workers , nominally hired because no US workers were available. They are cheap foreign temporary labor and are primarily from India and other countries.
The H1B visa is only granted in order to fill specialized roles that are otherwise difficult to fill with American citizens. Cisco fires younger foreign workers, usually Asian H1Bs, just to help cover their targeting of 40+ white males. Balance out the old racial/age ratio.

Cisco has been committing immigration fraud in this manner for years. .

The real sad thing is the always tout “best place to work and other BS” and hide behind the people deal which is such c-ap! It’s a lousy place to work for most just based on the layoffs and silos that still exist

Grade 12 men should be frightened, we are and I was an endangered species at Cisco , the indiscriminate reductions is nothing but a cost cutting exercise. All req’s are frozen as CS and Maria cannot make the transition. They still cannot provide accurate inventories which was a problem 3 years ago so nothing has changed.

Age discrimination based purge. Even if you signed for severance, you don't give up your inherent legal rights. That's a big lie they tell you so you don't form a class action lawsuit. Get legal advice and stop the ageism that is rampant in tech.

The comment about all whites getting laid off isn't true. I just saw an Indian, African American, Asian, and two white females, all over 45 hit. Not seeing one race affected but have seen lots of older than 45 getting hit.

I know for sure, from ACI folks one Italian man 50+ age, 20+ years been blue badge got laid of this wed (Mar 27). Also 20 heads were axed from 2th floor 14 bldg same day.

Most let go are non India , even though they are minorities already....

Not true

True statement. 40+, or for an even greater probability, 50+, 10+ years of employment, making serious money because you deliver serious results; you have a target right in the middle of your forehead, especially if you are a white, American male. This is statistically proven, has nothing to do with gender, or H1B status. If your white, over 50, American, and male, with over 10 years with the company, and making over 100% TTC, you are f—ed at Cisco.

@OP+13JhDYCn your post if factually incorrect. Every major layoff is accompanied with a detailed breakdown of age groups and racial/ethnic data points. All laid off employees are given this information - it's a Federal requirement. If you've seen one you'd know that your age discrimination theory do not hold water.

All - Have a great weekend!

Good post @xoe

True, but true in almost all American corporations. I personally have seen many over 40 employees who have repeatedly earned the highest ratings all of a sudden become the bottom 10%. Much to the surprise to everyone they work with and their internal/external clients. Usually happens around age 45.

I personally know 6 people laid off in San Jose. 4 are Asian and 2 are Indian H1Bs. 3 are over 40. Anecdotal.

When you're laid off view as a blessing. yes, it is harder for someone over 40 to get a job in the tech sector - but it's not impossible.

It took about four months but I was able to get a MUCH better position at 50% better pay.