Thread regarding IBM layoffs

To the OP and others - I've always found out that IF I HAVE A PLAN and AM EXECUTING IT - that I can put up with a lot of BULLSH-T just smiling - knowing .... I have a plan and am executing it.

A healthy tree bends - an unhealthy one snaps.

So to OP and others - make a plan and work on executing it - even if it's a year timeline - you'll find you can put up with a lot of bullsh-t. And - hey in the mean time - IBM May re-deploy and/or RA you.

PLAN! Execute!

I tried REALLY HARD to ride IBM out for another couple of years (still retiring 64).

Why because of sh---y pay (no raises since hire, multiple peoples work?)

Good insurance. No great insurance for a high-medical family member. That's it.

But I Got SO BEAT DOWN that I still couldn't take that.

Luckily as I was about to start job hunting - I - as with many others (LOTS) in Systems was re-deployed. Yeah! Just like the other poster - somewhat similar.

I can't now believe I waited so long - such a difference.

Note also I asked another (younger - not trying to hold out for retirement) why the rest of the team wasn't also leaving. He said Ta Da: "they just want a few more years to retire".

They all worked hard - no slackers - but still what IBM isn't seeing is that a lot of those that stay remain short timers.

My retirement horizon is 2-3 years - and while I didn't look forward to "firehose new job" - it's been both fun and rewarding.

So unless you need year(s) for IBM qualified retirement AND want their retirement benefits - go switch. You'll never look back.

For those with roughly under 15-20 years at IBM - ALL you'll get as retirement benefit is continued access to health care at full cost. Think COBRA but until 65. Still at full cost. Myself? I left it all on the table - with 2-3 years to retirement (planned, early still) it's cheaper with a new company AND IBM "Access Only" also cuts dependents off at 24 (vs through 26 for Active)

So ALL should look at their service and what IBM will (and likely NOT) give you before making decisions either way.

Well. Time for me to C-Corp contract out the wazoo to IBM et al.
A couple quarterly contracts would be a nice ease into retirement.

You’re not alone. The relentless negative and toxic environment is the issue. Hard work is ok in a positive growing environment, but when you work in a hopeless environment with never ending job cuts, budget cuts and cuts for cuts, it’s mentally taxing. Get out before it permanently warps your health and mental outlook. That place isn’t normal!

When a loved one is in trouble, one of the first things professionals will tell you is to take care of yourself FIRST. This is true when somebody is drowning, or when somebody has a dr-g or alcohol problem, or when somebody close is sick and dying. You need to keep your wits about you, maintain a clear head and sound body, and try to keep some perspective about what's happening around you.

IBM has had a lot of problems for many years, and many of its body parts are gangrenous. The executive management has pursued a continuous cycle of amputations (RAs) followed by transplants (corporate acquisitions). The resulting Frankenstein-like form will probably not survive, but that probability won't stop the management from doing what it does.

You cannot change IBM's corporate direction, nor can you change your day-to-day life at IBM. It was once possible to do so in the past, but those days are way behind you now. The most that you can do is to steel yourself to tolerate the current working conditions, and/or prepare yourself to get the he-l out and go somewhere else. I think this is easier to do for contractors than it is for regular employees and supplementals, but whatever your situation you need to take care of yourself FIRST. IBM doesn't pay enough money to put up with the BS, and for many employees these days the long-term benefits (healthcare, etc.) of working for the company are no longer significant. Do what you must to ensure your survival with a happy life.

I hear your pain. Please take care of yourself. And remember, you are more important than any corporation.

If you feel up it, you could talk to someone privately See page 11 of this pdf ==> https://www.ibm.com/downloads/cas/NVRQKBB1

And readers, please no negative comments here, this is from one compassionate human to another.

Wow. A poster talks about a legitimate issue that even IBM pretends to give a cr-p about. Namely, the physical and mental damage caused by the excessive stress of working in this sweatshop with sadistic demands and uncaring leadership.

And what does the IBM "social media sentiment" na-i regiment do? They down vote a plea for some help or at least recognition close to 200 times.

You insanely pathetic and utterly soulless zealots have outdone yourselves this time. You have no decency do you? When was the last time you showed even a touch of humanity to a struggling human being who happens to share an employer? Be you AI or be you low wage donkeys doing this, you have really lost the plot this time. Go back to your masters and ask about empathy and understanding.

One cannot even imagine how much these Temp visa workers(H1bs) caused harm to American market. It is impossible to get in any company now a days as most of these places these guys are sitting at hiring chair, and they only hire their own people.

I get so tired of all the downvotes on topics that paint IBM in a negative light. I do not know who is downvoting but you are either too stupid to see what is going on or you are a manager, executive, or HR person who is trying to cover IBMs a-s. The truth hurts doesn’t it?

I had a mental breakdown and went on a reduced work schedule under fmla. mgt still kept calling me to get things done past the agreed to work schedule. I never recovered and retired early. I am still a disaster, waiting for God to pull my string.

Sadly, over at Kyndryl it's the same thing. We feel your pain.

All you can do is tread water while you look to the exits for a way out. Things are not going to change unless you make that choice.

Best of luck.

I was fortunate to retire from IBM close to my full retirement age. But I agree, the stress was high working there and I retired while my health was still good. There is just so much pressure over the years to show revenue growth and it has been modest at best. And I believe there is a lot of uncertainty right now with the economy and customers are forecasting lower sales which impacts I/T spending

Yup. 7-8 years of increasing sh-t (esp taking on several other people's work) and no raises.

Just when I was going to start looking - they re-deployed me (Nov/Dec) so I guess I was lucky - job #1 is new job "within" aside from some training replacement (didn't bother me at this point). Got new job a month before they formally RA'd me, one more month (normal RA) and 3 months for signing the gag order.

All in all Dec-Feb "seek a job" mostly; then March-May 6th or so - 2 paychecks; then 3 months gag order pay.

So See if they'll RA you - offhand that seems to next be July (somehow seems early month after quarter close).

But yeah, got 20+% raise, likely bonuses, etc.

I've been there. I can share that imo this is the best choice you can make. They don't even pay well, it's extremely easy to find something else that pays way more and treats you better.
The bad choice was wasting our time with such people full of bu-t scabs.

WatsonX is the answer to all your miseries.
IBM stock will soon hit 1T valuation like Apple, Amazon, Google and most recently Nvidia.
based on AI hype, and we will soon live happily ever after.
Rob T and Arvind K have answers to all our miseries

Which area area are you in? How long at IBM?