Thread regarding IBM layoffs

Walkout mid Dec?

I heard a large group of senior engineers and designers are staging a walkout in mid-Dec. after 401k match. Can anyone confirm?

by
| 4419 views | | 29 replies (last ) | Reply
Post ID: @OP+1dwOVMAt

29 replies (most recent on top)

"If you retire before Dec 15th you will still get the match that is owed to you. this is what my friends who are on the old pension plan have told me. Not sure how it works for those not on the old plan and leave before 12/15."

Also applies to people on the new plan. I retired on June 30 this year, and got my payout some weeks later. In other words, "can confirm"

by
| | Reply
Post ID: @Nlac+1dwOVMAt

Happy 401K lump-eligibility day!

by
| | Reply
Post ID: @Nrnv+1dwOVMAt

Has this happened?

by
| | Reply
Post ID: @Mxhj+1dwOVMAt

Can confirm mate. This is happening. My teammate clued me on to this and the private slack channel. 83 count and increasing. C&CS and F&O. Recognised senior engineers that contribute a lot full. Will to be a bad start of 2022 for us still left. Going to hurt.

by
| | Reply
Post ID: @bbyj+1dwOVMAt

It was 2013 when they switched from monthly 401k contribution to yearly. And layoffs. Then in 2014 the severance package changed from 1 week for every year of service to whatever it is now. And even more layoffs Then in 2015 Checkpoint. And that was used for even more layoffs via performance management. Then there was colocation and even more layoffs. And now the mandate...

by
| | Reply
Post ID: @9ltp+1dwOVMAt
IBM did the annual 401K match to save some money of course.

Like so many other great ideas the beancounters have, it has ended up costing more than the measurable savings. I know of several colleagues over the years who decided to leave earlier in the year, but stuck around until December, essentially doing nothing, which cost IBM 100% of their salary and overhead for a few months each. Additionally, the policy is demoralizing - it sends a clear message to us that "IBM cares more about trying to save a fraction of a percent of our salary than doing the right and normal thing."

by
| | Reply
Post ID: @8ddh+1dwOVMAt

@7vzk+1dwOVMAt

IBM US use to give the match monthly, I do not remember what year they changed it.

If you retire before Dec 15th you will still get the match that is owed to you. this is what my friends who are on the old pension plan have told me. Not sure how it works for those not on the old plan and leave before 12/15.

by
| | Reply
Post ID: @8pys+1dwOVMAt

Ibmers are spineless. Instead of organizing all this bs, just leave. Whole industry is on their feet because they can't find engineers but ibm is still being arrogant.

Personally think vaccine is a stupid reason to leave and there are many other reasons like $$ and as----e managers but quitting is the only way to make ibm do anything so I'd support anyone leaving ibm for any reason.

by
| | Reply
Post ID: @7waa+1dwOVMAt

I worked for IBM in the UK for many years and the equivalent of 401k match happened every month, through payroll. You could leave in January or November and not be short-changed.

How on earth does IBM US get away with an annual match? Was that always a thing? Do other US companies do the same? Genuinely puzzled.

by
| | Reply
Post ID: @7vzk+1dwOVMAt

Can confirm. Except we are using our vacation time to bridge between the Dec 6th and after 401k match. .

by
| | Reply
Post ID: @5rmx+1dwOVMAt

Yes, a mass exodus Dec 9 when so many people are suspended…

by
| | Reply
Post ID: @3psc+1dwOVMAt

More like a mass exodus not a walkout. Think u got your terms wrong.

by
| | Reply
Post ID: @3xas+1dwOVMAt

We can organize a walkout on WebEx…
Got to use the tech IBM puts at our disposition… lol!

by
| | Reply
Post ID: @3ycz+1dwOVMAt

"..Ummmm, practically no one is back in the office right now. How would employees stage a walkout ?..
Not literally ya peon... a large group of people are quitting at the same time.

by
| | Reply
Post ID: @2plg+1dwOVMAt

Yeah i heard that to,why dont you get the jump on them and head out now as swipe

by
| | Reply
Post ID: @2hrd+1dwOVMAt

Ummmm, practically no one is back in the office right now. How would employees stage a walkout ? Step outside their house and take a selfie and post it on Facebook ... sorry, Meta, and say they are walking out ?
Please. This is silly.

by
| | Reply
Post ID: @2eux+1dwOVMAt

I think going forward, Dec 8 should be a holiday at IBM… and from that day on until Dec 31, everyone should NOT be working.

by
| | Reply
Post ID: @1krp+1dwOVMAt

I know people hopping from job to job now for more mula and they are not vaccinated and no company is requiring it. The ones here who keep trying to push the jab have some real daddy issues it seems. Grow up already.

by
| | Reply
Post ID: @ucb+1dwOVMAt

I think this tracks. They don’t get vaccine, get unpaid leave on Dec 10 or whenever it is. Wait a week till 401k match for the year, then say “oh btw, we quit.” Seems realistic gameplan to me.

by
| | Reply
Post ID: @wlc+1dwOVMAt

For the ones wanting to leave IBM due to vaccination mandates - good luck finding a job. You will be surprised to see that the Big Blue is not the only one.

by
| | Reply
Post ID: @jxu+1dwOVMAt

Very possible especially around COVID vaccination policy.

I am one of those senior engineers who want to leave but handicapped right now as my wife doesn't want me to leave with a baby on the way plus she is not working! I warned her that layoffs are possible but it is what it is. So I am just sucking it up until I have time to prep ... hopefully second half of next year.

by
| | Reply
Post ID: @cyu+1dwOVMAt

Dude this is a serious advice to whoever is reading this thread.
If you have senior engineer skills then do the interview prep and leave this shithole.

Ibm has nothing going on and will keep on promoting same chosen people, they don't have any new projects so engineers stay where they are. Their strategy is to buy small companies.

What is the purpose of walkout anyway? Maybe they'll give you extra 1-2% raise. MAYBE. Take vacation, do some interview preparation and leave.

Best revenge is going to competition with much higher pay.

by
| | Reply
Post ID: @nzi+1dwOVMAt

I really hope so.

by
| | Reply
Post ID: @tyw+1dwOVMAt

It is unlikely that any senior whatever have survived the past layoffs, or future layoffs before mid-December.

It is also unlikely that IBM retains very many senior (skills-wise not title-wise) engineers and designers - those skills pay at least 2x in any number of other companies.

So if it actually happened, it would end up being "that one dude standing in the parking lot in the snow" .. not much of an impact.

by
| | Reply
Post ID: @etp+1dwOVMAt

I am taking most of December off, I have worked enough and need to use the rest of my vacation days... 4Q is going to be a disaster.

by
| | Reply
Post ID: @bbi+1dwOVMAt

No way this EVER happens. If there's 2 things I've learned from this site. One, people in those roles at IBM don't earn shyte. So they most likely can't afford such action. And two IBMers are a bunch of sniveling whiners and don't have the sac for such a bold move. Even though it would be awesome to see.

by
| | Reply
Post ID: @upx+1dwOVMAt

Won’t everyone be on vacation anyway? Seems like a poorly planned walkout.

by
| | Reply
Post ID: @pyu+1dwOVMAt

We got something else planned

by
| | Reply
Post ID: @tin+1dwOVMAt

Sorry Mr H.R. man, I don’t think anyone here has the details.

by
| | Reply
Post ID: @pds+1dwOVMAt

Post a reply

: