I was laid off around three years ago. I won't lie, it took me nearly a year to find a job that didn't cut my pay in half compared to what I used to get here. Still, I did find it and I can say I'm doing well once again. I do wonder sometimes if Intel is feeling the effects of getting rid of most of us oldtimers and if it's still continuing that practice?
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Not just Intel but most tech companies. Hire younger (cheaper) talent but not many from US universities with technical degrees, load up and lobby for additional H1Bs and ramp up Bangalore/India hiring as much as possible
I remember one guy in a different team in our org get put on a CAP in the early 2000s. When he was given the CAP deal to sign, he said “give me the 3 months pay — I’m outta here”. He made it to greener pastures, avoided going through a lot more layoffs, and truly shocked his management who expected him to cling to Mother Intel. Good for him!
I was VSP'ed but found a job quickly luckily. All that was a blessing disguise. Doing very well for higher salary. So I guess luck and timing plays a role also
"That's the thing: Intel's culture is such that a CAP really isn't to help people improve or develop. It's for the purpose of documenting someone for removal."
It isn't just Intel, it is every large company. Many years ago I worked for another industry name that had adopted the GE plan of regular culling. They were in a sense decent about it. Those being cut would be put on a CAP–type plan but given an offer –– "take this severance package today and go, or accept the CAP plan (but no package if you fail to meet the terms)". The plan would be written in a way that was clearly impossible to achieve. Almost everyone who went thru this saw the writing on the wall and left. I remember one guy who deserved to be let go; everyone knew he was just not able of doing the work and what he was doing often broke things. Yet he was so incompetent he accepted the plan! Sad all around...
is this even a real question
Good for you @6ine+1amr1Xit.
Just curious: is there anything that can be corrected in CAP, or CAP is merely farce to get rid of someone?
I was a level 7 laid off in mid–2015 after trying in vain to work through a CAP. 8 months later my entire site closed down, so it was a blessing in disguise to have that much of a headstart. Found a similar job working remotely for identical pay and benefits in < 6 months even though I was in my mid–50's. It can be done, but takes time and effort. Now working for 25% than my 2015 Intel pay – still remote – covid really helped make that mainstream – I figure knocking out the commute alone is equivalent to a 5% raise...much lower stress/more security – I no longer worry if I'm on some corporate list to be terminated...
You all need to realize age is not the determining factor. It is pure political. Plenty of Intel old-timers getting paid FANG tcomp because they have political benefactors.
If you are going to disgrace yourself and work at Intel long-term, get to work and start kissing b..t instead of worrying about your technical skills.
Anyone know a good employment lawyer? I'm the person whose manager wants to put me on a cap.
Age is irrelevant. What companies care about is ROI, specifically value. Paying $2M for a house is a good value if it's worth $3M, the price is irrelevant. The problem with some engineers is that they do not add value to their knowledge and skills as their comp increases. Yes, there is also the obvious need to spend time with family and health issues. However, the bottom line is whether or not you add value relative to how much the company is paying you. Eg: Jim Keller is old yet I doubt he would be the first person to be layed off despite his enormous comp.
I'm not sure why anyone is surprised this happens at Intel. When a "non-surgical" layoff happens, take notice of the younger employees sacrificed to reduce the appearance of age discrimination. Look at this from a the bean counter's point of view: older employees tend to get paid more, take more time off for "personal reasons," have common sense and argue with leadership, and cost more when it comes to benefits. If you have a bean counter trying to figure out how to maximize stocker holder value while setting forth policy on who gets pushed out... the conflict of interest is obvious.
The only hope for us old timers is to decimate the younger generation of employees and show the bean counters what happens when they replace us with lower cost employees. I'll leave to the reader to interpret what this means. In the words of D.Mamet, "Old age and treachery will always beat youth and exuberance."
sounds like CAP is Intel speak for PIP. I guess Intel using non industry standard jargon applies to HR as well.
Intel has never valued older folks unless at Gr11 or higher, and those are there only for their prowess in ppt and politics. Any wonder why intel has fallen!
That's the thing: Intel's culture is such that a CAP really isn't to help people improve or develop. It's for the purpose of documenting someone for removal. You know someone who isn't part of the political in-crowd of yes men/women or who is making too much money, etc. If people are disposable and replaceable "widgets" - as Intel leadership believes - then why develop them?!
CAP - Corrective Action Plan ... a documented planning schedule that your manager & you put together / review together / and hand signature approval ... 6+ months w/ you working your back side off to exceed every CAP milestone to get out from under neath the CAP. Difficult, although not impossible. However, a real pain the backside & a constant stress in your work / life balance. Peace!!
What's a CAP? Haven't heard that term before
Yes - getting rid of employees over 40 is literally the business plan.
And, yes, if you've been put on a CAP then the writing is on the wall.
Intel is getting rid of expensive employees and replacing them with cheap ones in low cost geos.
My boss wants to put me on a cap. I think it's how they get rid of you now.
I was also laid off in 2016. It took me 9months to get another job. I did not need to relocate out my city or state. So k-d schools, house, friends, etc ... all remained the same. Pay at new job is 30% less compared to what I was getting at Intel. New job responsibility and stress is 80% less than that of what I had with working for Intel.
All I can say, I am very happy now and contend.