Thread regarding IBM layoffs

Forced to train replacements?

I saw that someone here complained that they were forced to train their replacements. That made me curious, did anyone else have such an experience? Nothing surprises me anymore but I don’t understand how someone could have been forced to do that? Did they condition people to do that? Before I got a job here I was thrilled because I thought this was a great company, but every day I am more and more disenchanted with my workplace.

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Post ID: @OP+19dIUjAX

13 replies (most recent on top)

Just train them incorrectly - give them inaccurate information, incorrect customer phone numbers, etc.

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Post ID: @3thh+19dIUjAX

@2qgp+19dIUjAX

You are the Man!

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Post ID: @2qms+19dIUjAX

I was told that I had to train my replacement(s) which were in India, else I wouldn't get paid. They were trained, but not the way IBM would have liked. :-)

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Post ID: @2qgp+19dIUjAX

They expect to transfer years of experience in a few weeks. This is proof how fundamental screwed IBM is. Glad its over.

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Post ID: @2uuw+19dIUjAX

They tried to force me once to train my replacement on a contract for some customized work and code written. I told them F off I wouldn't do it because they RA'd me. It went all the way up to legal I still told them to F off. In the end I stayed on the contract for another 3 years until its completion. I since left that contract and moved to another one and still haven't been RA'd will I one day? I'm sure I will. I look at my role at IBM as a contractor not as an employee and put myself in positions that benefit me and my client. I don't work with Indians and refuse to. The quality of India workers at IBM has cost me more in my time fixing their screw ups then it's worth trying to train them. I rely on my scripting to automate as much work as I can. IBM is failing because management is to stupid to see this. We work in silos built 3 feet thick to protect our asses from being RA'd there is no team atmosphere at IBM its very much an every man for himself organization. In fact all successful employees never share information with their team mates and do the work themselves even on big contract jobs. I watch people in all the western world countries get RA'd while the people in INDIA they move to other jobs or contracts before RA them. Most of the Indians at IBM have an education level around a lower secondary school or Junior high and can't think for themselves every little thing has to be spelled out and written for them. Even the CEO of IBM doesn't have the qualifications to be CEO if you could sit in on his office hours or other meetings he calls all hands for you'd laugh. Its India Business Machines now and it will work as well for them as it did for another company I spent years at SUN Microsystems. Don't train your replacements tell them off find another job.

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Post ID: @1hnn+19dIUjAX

You sound like that “do you feel safe” troll.

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Post ID: @1clf+19dIUjAX

When people leave, they are out. They can start fresh. But then there are their colleagues that stay, and typically have to keep things running.
As somebody who has been through having everybody else in my team leave except for me, several times, it's no fun.

The good guys have mercy of their former colleagues and at least transfer the accesses and hand over the basic documentation to the replacements.

Also, "Oh you guys are getting replacements"? More than often, people are let go with no replacement, anyway.

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Post ID: @1hfl+19dIUjAX

I saw the same thing a few years ago. Some US based hardware support guys went to Bulgaria to train them. Later, the US guys jobs went away and fortunately a few found new jobs in IBM. One of the US guys discussed his salary with the Bulgarians and of course their future Bulgarian replacement jaw dropped. Just like when we moved Development to China. The Chinese were not smarter or geniuses; they work cheaper. I have no illusions about offshoring IBM jobs where it's possible.

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Post ID: @1rlv+19dIUjAX

I saw this happen many years ago to the Mainframe Operators in RTP, Their jobs were being sent to Brazil and other Foreign locations. They were Required to travel to these Foreign locations and train their Replacements. Most operators did travel to these locations and train their replacements- the REASON?? Training their replacements was a requirement if they wanted a Severance Package. If they refused to do it, they did NOT get the Package.

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Post ID: @1xey+19dIUjAX

Calling them “replacements” is giving them too much credit. We are often talking about a 5:1 ratio of offshore:onshore staff. Your job will be parceled up and done in piece parts by far more people than you could have ever imagined possible.

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Post ID: @odr+19dIUjAX

I was told I was still employed and expected to do my job. My job was moving offshore therefore I was expected to train the new person. I had numerous years experience in my area. New person had never even done any part of the job I did. It was an impossible task trying to get them up to speed. I don't blame them. Nice person, just wanting a job like the rest of us. Didn't want to be a d–k so did what I could. I do now regret though that I didn't spend all of my 30 days looking for a job instead of trying to do the right thing. My advice when fired, spend just about every working moment working on getting a job and preparing to leave this one. No one has your back.

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Post ID: @pmw+19dIUjAX

Training your replacement is the accepted norm at IBM. It's the corporate equivalent of digging your own grave.

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Post ID: @rtf+19dIUjAX

When you take on a new account you are trained.
When you hand off an account you train new peeps.
How else can the accounts be supported?

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Post ID: @uyh+19dIUjAX

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