Thread regarding Cisco Systems Inc. layoffs

Still happening in 2018, FY 19 massive lay offs and high performers.

"Surprising Cisco only likes people who talk nonsense and so politics than people who really work on stuff. GOOD LUCK CISCO ."

So true!! You forgot to add bullies to the list. Seems like only good people who work hard are let go...

Someone asked for the names of attorneys willing to take on Cisco discrimination. Note that the following post lists a few attorneys who have taken on companies like Cisco and I am working with the attorney in this post sueing Cisco for age discrimination. http://www.therecorder.com/home/id=1202769197826/Decoding-Age-Bias-in-Silicon-Valley

@K32dlW4-4ezp

what is a syncup conversation?

A sync up conversation is what used to be called the one-on-one or 1:1. Under the people deal, you are supposed to meet at least semi-annually to have conversations to sync up your expectations. Under the new way, you're supposed to be able to tell your manager whether or not s/he is providing adequate feedback to you and s/he's supposed to tell you how s/he feels you are doing since the last sync up. Some people need/want constant feedback, good or bad. Some people only want to know if they need to improve and otherwise no-news-is-good-news.

Many managers have monthly 1:1's. If you're having weekly 1:1's at your manager's request, you're in trouble. If it's at your request, then you need/want constant feedback.

@K32dlW4-oas, what is a syncup conversation? I never had one before or after the 'People Deal'. Never even met my manager in person and rarely spoke to him on phone. Great Cisco management!

During discussions in trying to get long overdue promotions through, HR have told us their plan. The awesome switching and routing business is now legacy, so they are not really interested in looking after people there. Retention still good, so little need for raises and goodies, especially in upper grades. Whole salary structure top heavy so promotions not needed. If top talent goes, then replace with grade 8-10. Unless your in a sεxy 'growth' business, your career is over at G10-11. Replace any that go with lower grades to reduce cost. We got a very clear message. They didn't mention age, but it was clear that Cisco is a place to develop your early middle career, but you're going to top out quickly and never make retirement.

My group mirrors this same breakdown. It does seem obvious what people are up to. The raises have had an odd effect too. People are now sure if they got no raise that they are gone and low raise people are worried as well. Tension has gone up. This plus rumors about MPLS and their next venture are causing a lot of chatter.

The assigned HR Case Manager ... claims a huge backlog of appeals is the reason for the outlandish delay.

You know what they say, "Where there's smoke, there's usually fire."

I wonder why there's a huge backlog of appeals? Could it be that the vast majority of people LR'd were over 40?

BTW, why should HR work fast for you? You're no longer an employee. They're not Cisco employees either. They work for Xerox and are outsourced to fulfill a job function for Cisco.

My severance paperwork only included the stats for my BU instead of the entire company. I can only assume that other BU's had similar numbers.

Out of 271 employees in the BU, 25 people total were let go. 2 out of 25 were under age 35. 23 were over 40. On the surface, that looks like age discrimination.

2 were over age 55.

5 were between 50-55.

8 were between 45-50.

8 were between 40-45.

None were between 35-40.

2 were under the age of 35.

In my BU, for my pay grade, they let go 2 people in the 45-50 age group and 1 from the 40-45 age group and 1 under age 35. 3 out of 4 were over age 40.

As to who they kept, lets look at those numbers:

There is no one over age 55.

2 are between 50-55.

2 are between 45-50.

1 is between 40-45.

5 are between 35-40.

8 are under the age of 35.

Out of 18 people, 11 are under 40 and 7 are over 40. It's more heavily weighted towards people under 40 yet 3 out of 4 people LR'd were over 40. As the song writer said "Things that make you go hmm."

I figured that Cisco's lawyers were prepped for any lawsuits and better paid than any I could afford, and the better the lawyer I got, the more I'd have to pay them thus eating up any payment awarded in a lawsuit so it was cheaper/better to take the money and run to the bank with it.

At least within the US, it appears that the severance packages are getting smaller and smaller over time. I recall when they did the "Workforce Reduction" or "WFR" back in 2011, they told everyone (in the US/Canada anyway) exactly what the severance package was nearly two months before the impacted employees were informed. They announced the reduction in June and notified the affected employees in Aug. Now, Chucky-boy announces it on a Wed, the affected employees (for the most part) are told the next morning, and only those impacted are told what the package is. This package was 17% less than the one in 2011.

If you're over 40, look for a new job and get out on your schedule instead of at Cisco's convenience because the packages are getting smaller and you don't know if next fall will be a good time to look for a job or not.

No wonder why Mark Chandler is on the ELT! Grossly incompetent? Focused on shady self-interests? Hated within his organization? You've just described every pathetic, self-aggrandizing "leader" at Cisco.

Calling Mark (all I care about is fundraising for Hillary and suing Arista) Chandler will get you no where. He is hated by his own team and anyone who is within 10 feet of him. How much has he wasted in legal expense (15-20M a quarter on stupidity). Call him, that will work.

Not at all surprising that HR is handling appeals in a sleazy, cowardly way. Suggest that everyone who has filed an appeal contact Cisco legal heads directly: Leslie Mcknew and Mark Chandler.

Is there an attorney in Silicon Valley willing to nail Cisco's a-- due to its illegal treatment of employees? Are there press outlets where former employees can share their horrific experiences? There is nothing worse for a publicly traded company like negative press AND being vilified in the court of public opinion.

Anyone have names of lawyers & press contacts dying to expose Cisco? If so please post. This is the only way wronged former employees can strike back.

Although I have a case in law against Cisco , I am advised by my lawyers not to pursue. I am UK based and over here , legal action is very expensive and it takes a huge amount of time. With the numbers that Cisco lays off annually they know as a big company they can trample the rights of employees and get away with it.

My attitude is , onwards and upwards!

Some people on the team have filed an appeal within the specified time frame but still have no resolution as of yet after 2 1/2 months. The assigned HR Case Manager has been ducking emails and calls. He acts as if he's on the side of the employees and claims a huge backlog of appeals is the reason for the outlandish delay. Really, how naive does he think we are? While the former employees acted in good faith, HR has been stringing everyone along in hopes that the case (and those who initiated the appeal) go away over time. I had thought HR and Legal would have more respect for ex-employees and be more ethical in their approach, but I was wrong.

You tell them OP

A) Officially, layoffs have never been performance related. So, a good performance will not help you to fight your case.

Yes I see that point. I am not up to fight the LR , but the bonus I could have fought if the performance was recorded , dont you think ?My concern was only my bonus and am really really glad I was impacted since the politics killed me. I wasnt good at that. All my juniors who were just are 2 to 3 years in the industry but spoke nonsense were made the kings and Queens in the team. Slow a sinking ship soon .

b) HR is on the mangers' side. Unions are on the employers side. Bang, no unions in the USA.

Yes I see that. My manager brutally lied there was a discussion when there is no verbal or written proof.

Chuck and his ELT has done the Cisco brand no favors. He gets compensated 16 MILLION ... and many of his best talent get LRd. THEN his top engineers walk. Hope he enjoys his money b/c that's all he'll have. He'll be known for sinking the Cisco ship.

You can't pay enough to go work at bu tt hole of a company. If the investors really knew.

As a highly educated professional who has been in the industry for over 25 years and having worked at multiple companies, I have never seen a company treat their emoloyees this horribly. HR ? What's that?? For anyone who is even remotely considering working for this company, please do yourself a huge favor - DON'T.

I wish they stick to the old tools and have the performance recorded and monitored by HR and so they can influence during the layoff times.

A) Officially, layoffs have never been performance related. So, a good performance will not help you to fight your case.

b) HR is on the mangers' side. Unions are on the employers side. Bang, no unions in the USA.

Ya wonder what they are doing ?They Better take care of basic stuff like bonus payouts etc.I hear soo many people affected were not given bonus and many lower than IPF- 0.75%. Very unethical after working for long time. Wont HR do any research on why suddenly a manager puts a good performer as low performer and does not give bonus ? In my case it was nothing but my relationship with my manager. Suddenly 6 months before the layoff my manager starts picking on the same work we have been doing for years. Complaining on ""Influencing people"" at my grade level. Wonder if managers themselves cant influence people how people under them are asked to do it ?I am glad I am out of the mess , walked out with a smile on the day of layoff just to see my target IPF=0.5%. Brutal . My 15 years in Cisco was a waste of time . HR is sitting there and doing nothing . People deal is BS , syncup conversations is another waste of time. I wish they stick to the old tools and have the performance recorded and monitored by HR and so they can influence during the layoff times. Betrayed is what I felt . Surprising Cisco only likes people who talk nonsense and so politics than people who really work on stuff. GOOD LUCK CISCO .