IBM study: In ‘new normal,’ most workers say bosses are on a different planet
11 replies (most recent on top)
30 yo is partially correct. No company in the US pays to retrain employees anymore. Not even FAANG. But older employees at IBM are not losing their jobs due to irrelevant skills. Look under the hood at most IBM software - it’s lipstick on a pig of ancient code. All signs point to age discrimination.
The 30 year old is wrong. When IBM was successful, they invested in keeping their employees' skills current. There was budget for training that is not there now. There were opportunities for stretch assignments that are not there now. An IBMer could spend his whole career at the leading edge of technology because IBM WAS the leading edge of technology. Today an IBMer has to go outside the company for training on current technology, and spend his own money. So don't blame the older worker for being out of date, blame IBM for making him that way. Why does IBM do this? For the reason you have seen here countless times, young workers are cheaper. That's all it is. IBM lets people go stale, lays them off, and replaces them with cheap kids rather than investing in training their experienced workers.
Hey 30 year old explain to me then why so many "oldsters" were let go only to be hired back as contractors. If they really were only fired due to skills there would be no need for them at all in the company. It is purely a move to cut costs. Older people do make a bit more money and cost more in benefits. That is what its about. I know this practice has been cut down due to all the lawsuits but it was rampant a few years ago. I knew dozens of people who were fired only to move to a contracting company and come back. Some doing the exact same job. Did they all suddenly get smarter or more skilled once working for a contractor? I think not. Wise up.
@1wto+17e3Rm2C
Wait till you hit the 40+ year age Target on your back
On my last account I was the only one anyone knew of that configured Twinstrata Cloud Array Appliance
Going through my career as many of us older people we changed with the times I learn and supported Novell, 3com Plus, Banyan Vines, Microsoft network operating systems
It's not the change of things it's the age
Totally agree with you. Thank you.
To the 30 year old... just wait until you get old and the 30 somethings come after you...
You are just an id–t... but enjoy while you are young!!
Hey 30 year old, yes the tech world has changed. If all us old IBMers, the ones doing the work, not mgt, retired tomorrow you think you could support all the customers who are running z/OS? I have adapted and have continued to increase my skills in the new Z functions. Like it or not Z still brings in a pretty penny and helps fund other projects in the company. I look to you younger IBMers to get us up on the newest tech and make it successful. But based on how far behind we are in cloud does not look like you all are holding up your end of the company. As for being over paid that is a laugh and clearly spoken like an 30 year old who thinks they should be making as much as someone who has been with the company 25 years.
@slk+17e3Rm2C
At that age staying 7 yrs with IBM was basically a career k–ler. What were you thinking?
You're the one who will need to adapt in order to escape the darkness.
Pot-Kettle-Black no?
As a 30 year old IBMer that started 7 years ago it’s always funny to me to see how many old people post on this board so angry with management about getting laid off. Guys - the technology world has changed a lot since you started and you didn’t adapt. You were too happy getting overpaid to be behind the curve like IBM as a whole. You’re getting laid off because your skill set is mostly irrelevant. It has nothing to do with your age.
This coming from an executive management team who adopted “hey let’s nuke the old guys and worry about the law later” How has that worked out AK? In the words of Larry the cable guy “not too good” Perhaps you should put your house I order first and fix the impending class action that is certainly coming
Yeah.... definitely applies to IBM!!! lol!!
Forgot the link
https://www.wraltechwire.com/2020/09/30/ibm-study-in-new-normal-most-workers-say-bosses-are-on-a-different-planet/