Thread regarding IBM layoffs

I just looked at the link. Unreal. what a waste of time and monies. I wonder what the IBM offices in India look like ... I'm sure there's nothing remotely close.

I agree it's like trying to work in a diner. There are times when people need to talk with each other but other times they need privacy to work or think. Maybe it's trendy to decorate a warehouse and call it an office but it definitely does not result in productivity. IBM needs to stop trying to be fashionable and start trying to get a job done.

That looks like hell on earth. Like trying to work in a diner or something. I need quiet to work.

I remember IBMbuikding a new warehouse and administration building only to layoff everyone. Buildings look like a ghost town. What a joke. Executives have know idea what they are doing. They layoff 100k then build.

The RTP marketing site is being monitored by higher-ups for whether people are in their colocated agile areas working (whether they are in their seats). Walk-around hall-monitor style. The tenor in the office is high-pressure fear. It’s incredibly stressful and very hard to work while feeling like you have a target on your back (whether due to age or fear of not being in your seat when the grim reapers appear because you had a dentist or doctor’s appointment).

Each section, called a "meadow," is named after a bird to carry the forest vibe forward, from "mallard" to

"kingfisher."

And I'll bet Fran even showed deep consideration and designated a "dodo" section for kenneling the next group of employees to be RA'd.

Looks pretty darn ugly to me and not a good place to lug a secondary monitor to either.

The new generation is all about working from home and not being in an office.

This is a classic example of how IBM has missed the boat yet again. Fools

Yes, I do work here. The finishes are nice, but it is not effective working space. It's noisy, intrusive, and overly bright. The company line is that "this is what the employees want, especially the younger employees." But don' be misled...that is a lie. It may be what the management want (for their employees, not themselves) or what the facilities team wants, but it is not how people get legitimate work done. Another case of a falsehood getting propagated by the company as "something our employees have asked for."

I would hate to work there. I would never feel comfortable without having a space of my own. I want a door I can close to make phone calls or shut out the world and concentrate. I don't want "forced collaboration" because if collaboration doesn't happen naturally, it won't work. This place looks more like a coffee shop than a place of business.

It will help to sell off the property, since they are letting all the people go. IBM is now in the office flipping business.

Can't understand why IBM is continuing with these agile spaces now that the guy who pushed them (Jeff Smith) is gone. Guess this one was already in the works.

Anyone who gets forced back to the office should look at it as a pay cut. In addition to the obvious commuting costs, think about the time you're in the car/bus. You're not working but on the other hand the only reason you're in the car/bus is because you need to get to/from work, so in effect IBM is s---ing up that much more time from your life. And not paying you any more.

Fran isn't the only one who is retiring to avoid the agile space.

As long as some idiot doesn't have their music up too loud, cook stinky food, talk on the phone, or you don't need to discuss sensitive information, want to secure your property, or focus completely without distractions it's great. And if the guy next to you has the personal hygiene of a baboon, or likes to over share, it's even worse,

Humans are not herd animals.

Retirement???

And for IBM, it's a new way to force collaboration. Fran O'Sullivan, IBM's RTP site lead who recently announced retirement plans, says it's working – calling it the initiative she's "most proud of" during her tenure.

Not too noisy, it's rather nice.