When do I stop being an asset and become a liability? I'm 44 and I really do enjoy my work, but lately I've been thinking about leaving because I'd rather walk out on my own than be escorted out - even if it's with a severance. Is it my age or my pay or a combination of both that puts me on the "execution" list? How much time do I have left?
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Before I was RA 2 years priors I received a few email from HR stating I look like a good candidate for voluntary reiftemant package.Thats a sign right there you are on the list when they need to pull the trigger
Normally its when you become a liability, and bring little to no value - when you consistently cost the company more than you are bringing in. However IBM value also take age and salary into consideration. The older you are, the longer you've worked for the company, and your salary all appear to override any value you bring - even when consistently overachieving.
All of this tells me IBM is in control of your future, regardless of what you bring to the table. Get out and somewhere that values you.
If you're in the Southbank office you're in luck if you've done 21+years service and are 40+ because this automatically means you get an overly inflated salary in exchange for you stagnating and creating a toxic culture for 21 years. Good luck :)
I was just RAd at 43, and gave been a top performer every year of my IBM career. You're likely already on a list
On ‘When do I stop being an asset and become a liability?’ , it’ll be tough to remain an asset when IBM is a liability.
Most likely already on the list.
with no defined pension even a youngster should avoid IBM
Formula is tied to IBM’s bottom line. Enough said.
the algorithm of age, band and salary are what gets you on a list and puts the target on your back. Don't for one second think that past performance reviews save you...they simply do not. At 44 my advice is to run as fast as you can while you can
70 is the factor. E.g., 50 yrs age + 20 yrs service
Can't guarantee that, but I've heard that several times, and fits with many I know who've been axed in the past ~5 years
At 44, you're probably not _that_ close to whatever the factor is. However, you're young enough to move, so DO IT. Pull your resume together and expand your network. Don't wait till the decision is made for you, or until you start becoming less attractive to other employers (either cuz are too old for _their_ culture, you stayed too long at IBM, or etc)
I was the highest closer in my organization, and a sme in my field. That did not stop them from axing me along with the other SMEs, and replacing us with summit hires. Best thing that happened to me. Much happier in my new job. The problem is not skill sets you might have, the problem is that if you have been in the company 20 years, then you are at the top of the pay scale. There is also a documented belief that to sell cloud you have to look young. Anything over 50, or 20 years with the company is a target on the back. For those thinking the posts on here about age descrimination are from loser employees; go query on google for EEOC, IBM, age descrimination. Read the actual report after 3 years of investigation.
There is no formula. All you need to do is prove your value and prove you do important stuff/can't be replaced and you'll stick around. If you think "hm, any old developer that doesn't speak English could do what I do".. that's when you have a problem. All the people complaining here probably only have Microsoft Excel skills and don't provide any value above what could be offshored to an intern.
anyone who's band 10 is grossly overpaid and part of the problem
IBM management has no idea what anyone’s doing. This said , when they get a number to cut , it’s like the blind leading the blind. IBM is the best miss managed corporation in the world .
Despite what people here seem to think, there is no formula. I'm late 50s, Band 10, towards the top of the pay scale, and when I told my boss I planned to retire early, he tried to persuade me to stay for another two years.
Maybe the difference is that I produce valuable work; don't blame my problems on younger generations, minorities, nepotism, India, etc.; and don't think I know how to run the whole damn company despite knowing only a tiny fraction of what's going on.
Everybody here complains about the deadwood in IBM. Well, guess what: if you're one of the people I just described, you're part of the problem.
At your age - Every year you lollygag about leaving, is another year you made it tougher on yourself to find yourself a new job with a decent employer.
You do sound like you know you won't make it to retirement.
So - Get some movement going in those hind quarters.