This year I'm going to enter the dreaded rule 70 age/years-with-the-company bracket (50/20). How worried should I be?
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This is a very real thing. Last fall when we got layoff packages, it came with a "3 months so don't sue us for age discrimination" clause. If you took the three months you agreed to waive your right to legal recourse. In that document it listed the position and age of all who were laid off in your department, and the position and age of all who remained. The average raw age of those who were laid off was just over 51. The average age of those who remained was 37. With that being said, age is only one edge of the sword -- you are even more at risk the less "diversity" boxes you check off. Stay at Cisco if you like, but keep your head on a swivel.
I was age 60 when Cisco lay me off. After almost 4 years it is now down to people in their low 50's. Chuck has even said they are looking for younger faces to be at Cisco. It will happen but in the mean time do a good job and keep looking for something better outside Cisco.
It's a sound practice that can be applied to many facets in life. Family dogs should be euthanized at 14 years of age. Have your vet perform the procedure at your home to facilitate burial in your backyard. Take comfort in knowing your pet will provide good lawn greening, and similar greenback cash for puppy chow for the next pet generation.
I was over 80 when I got hit. Nothing like a company showing loyalty to their employees.
Cisco is essentially a government job without the job security or pension.
I was 60 (age + tenure) when the Shadow Sniper got me. Comp Ratio over 1.0, in IT, RTP.
I was 78 (age+tenure) when I left cisco. two best decisions of my life 1. Joining cisco in 1990 2. leaving cisco in 2018
70? 70?!! Much more like the Rule of 60!
Go back and look at the ages + years of service of the people you know, who were laid off recently. You are off by a bunch.
I'm referring to layoffs, of course. I realize it might have sounded like I thought there is a hit squad at Cisco that takes out people who fall into this category.