Could use some guidance. I've been at Cisco for 25+ yrs and need a break or retire - not sure yet. Ideally I would like to take a year or so LOA and return to get LR'd. I believe this happens to people. Have any of you done it or have advice for how to make this happen? Much appreciated.
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How did you manage to stay at Cisco for 25+ yrs? Are you one of those backstabbing-politicians with a huge brown nose?
Totally agree!
It's hard to believe! Anyone in the right mind wouldn't stay at the same company for more than 10 years. More than 20 years? Sick!
I know one guy (Customer Delivery Manager) at TAC Japan that's been staying at Cisco for 23 years. He thinks himself all that, but he's not. Just bossing around all the time.
A stupid, sick guy knows nothing about anything. Shame on him!
I volunteered for an LR in 2012 and got just over a year of salary between severance and COBRA. I had a job offer in hand before I volunteered. I took two weeks off and started working with slightly better pay and slightly worse benefits.
I spent two years there before that company got acquired by Cisco. I moved into a director role with no real direction from senior leadership. I stayed on from late 2014 through late 2018 to get all of my stock.
Right before leaving, I approached our SVP and asked for a the LOA (OnRamp/OffRamp) so that I could travel and finish up an advanced degree. He agreed, but sort of "off the record" asked me if I would be "a willing RIF" upon return. I agreed.
I spent almost 18 months on OnRamp/OffRamp. The first year, Cisco pays your benefits, phone, etc. The second year, you're on your own. If you don't have a new job at Cisco by the end of the second year, you are terminated.
Four months into my second year, that same SVP called me and asked me to have lunch. He hired me back as a grade 13 and I "worked" for about 75 days before volunteering for the early retirement package. I got a little more than six months of pay, plus COBRA, and qualify for (very expensive) benefits, through Cisco, until age 65.
I hated working at Cisco that second and third time, but they did take good care of me. I'm now happily retired, I sold all of my stock as soon as it made sense from a tax perspective, and I wish everyone still there well.
Yes, let your Snr. Director or VP know. They’ll be glad to have a name to put on the list with a clear conscience.
That just puts you on the "disgruntled and will leave for free" list. I know, I and others have tried. If you're lucky enough to be at a shrinking remote site you may still be able to get a package in a year or two when they layoff whole teams, but you need to balance that against what you think the job market will be in 1-2 years versus now, or if you decide retirement really is the right answer.
Yes, let your Snr. Director or VP know. They’ll be glad to have a name to put on the list with a clear conscience.
Got LR'd now five years ago and it was honestly for the best.
Once away from Cisco, truly realized what was important.
I am thankful for the many +$150k years at Cisco, and RSUs, and bonuses, and stock options; travel, and great team dinners.
Those days are now over, I was one of the fortunate ones to get pretty much over a years worth of pay to leave. That was a sweet deal.
Once away from it, life changes, especially if you plan it correctly.
To those staying, hope you get the same generous going away present.
Just let your leadership know your desire. I have multiple co-workers who did, and the feedback from their leaders later was it was helpful knowing that. Unless people are on a PIP, the only way to offload is through a LR process (you cannot just fire without cause for cost reasons) and in the last go around my leadership was hoping for a program to help them downsize our group. The hands were tied until the LR came up, and having some names ready made it easier to start - and fewer other quality employees that would need to be considered. So overall - I think if you really are serious this is a good way to signal. Its a program open to all - nothing unethical about signaling desire (unless you purposely do poorly at your job - then you deserve nothing). Good luck!
Check your email tomorrow morning for a one on one invite.
What a stupid question. If you want to be laid off, simply speak to your VP and ask to be impacted on the next RIF. That is what I did and ti worked out as I expected.
By all means, take a one year (personal) LOA. Know that it will be unpaid but you'll still be an employee with some benefits (check on the latter). As to returning to get LRd, there are no guarantees there. You are job protected with paid Medical Leaves but not with personal leaves (laws vary by country), and no one can predict when the next LR will be, certainly not a year from now.
P.S. I'm a 24 year employee and No, I'm not a "backstabbing politician with a huge brown nose". Some of us old timers are hard workers with good reputations.
How did you manage to stay at Cisco for 25+ yrs? Are you one of those backstabbing-politicians with a huge brown nose?