What should I expect this year with above focal rating in the last two years? Is the focal layoff storm going to get me this time?
29 replies (most recent on top)
Does the same lay-off criteria apply to all sites including Asia?
it's already over for you
G8, SC, non-Ind. S3 for 8 years. I have Ind. mgr. Mid-range pay. Am I in danger?
Top-level leadership at Intel has known for years that FOCAL is flawed and a key contributor to cultural problems at Intel... and chosen not to address it. In fact, they've used it as a tool not for performance management but to reduce employee cost and headcount.
This is a great indication that there are more desperate problems that need to be solved before this seemingly really desperate one. And that maybe fixing FOCAL (and the culture) is a moot point if Intel is re-structuring / selling off parts...
"Simply put, there isn't much correlation with the ratings and stick ratings that my colleagues at Intel receive and their competence, performance or whether I'd want them as part of my team. "
That's why many said here that Focal is flawed and only brown nosers stay on their job.
Good advice, for your career, focus on outside Intel once you get ssl4. Regardless of reason why manager assign you that rating, that mark transparent within Intel, correct that is very difficult. If you are really good, Intel does not deserve good employees to spend time for ridiculous focal outcome. You will get much more for effort required to correct the ssl4 impression at Intel
"@2acj. Good advice, that's everyone getting SSL4/5 should do. Once you're laid off, people may perceive you as a failure and make job hunting much more difficult."
No one outside of Intel knows what SSL4/5 is. And if you're interviewing with some ex-Intel guy at another company that puts weight on this, then you're thinking about going to the wrong place.
Simply put, there isn't much correlation with the ratings and stick ratings that my colleagues at Intel receive and their competence, performance or whether I'd want them as part of my team.
It's always a good idea to find a job when you have a job. There's a very slim chance of having a future at Intel after a SSL4/5 rating. Go find another job. You'll realize that outside of the Intel bubble things are entirely different.
@2acj I did get a S/ssl4 once due to family issues.. Since then I have been able to get consecutive EEs with a promotion. But the feeling of being under the scanner has never gone.
@2acj. Good advice, that's everyone getting SSL4/5 should do. Once you're laid off, people may perceive you as a failure and make job hunting much more difficult.
Top/Bottom rating will need visible/agreed from both 2nd level manager and your manager. It can be 1)your manager put you in bottom and approved by 2nd level manager, or 2) you manager put in middle (S+SSL3), and 2nd level manager put re-assigned you S+SSL4.
In case of 2nd option, your manager ranked you as bottom of his/her group, but given everyone a "pass" or better rating; 2nd level manager has to pick someone for "fail" rating they picked one from your manager's group which is you.
Every large Rank/Rating group (typically 2nd or 3rd level manager, group size in order of 20-100 people) need pick someone to "fail" to meet HR guideline. So anyone got SSL4, will be either your manager gave you that rating (all other manager will be happy, they do not need pick one from their group); or your manager made you bottom of his group, and you are picked by 2nd level manager.
to @1wro. I did not misunderstood as it was stated in plain and very simple English. So, the latter you referred to is out of question. The former you stated, I can not rule out nor believe, the tone it was stated was pretty strong.
Once you get an SSL4, you definitely become vulnerable, need to take actions, not "wait", because you never know when and how that SSL4 will play out in the HR equation which varies all the time. Have a plan - stay in the same group or transfer to another to grab an EE or O in the next Focal (very hard, but possible); or start preparing yourself to find a job outside while waiting for layoff and your severance package. Either way, you will be fine, and hopefully the change will lead you to a better work/life.
If you got SL4/5 why not just wait
@1too. It all depends on how many people they want to eliminate this year. The criteria change every year, only HR knows what's going to happen this year.
I have experience to transfer new group, manager will look your past 3 years focal result before offer. There will be exceptions, like hiring manager is your buddy. So you Should know what ssl4 mean to you now
We all know Ssl4 is new BE, to find a job within Intel with that mark will be very difficult (only if hiring manager know you well, pretty much say only your busy can save you). Look outside, if you don't have that network.
@xzz So they either lied to you or you misunderstood them. I strongly suspect the latter.
@vwo - definitely you are very analytical with numbers and all. Once you have a SSL4 it becomes too difficult to find positions inside Intel as they all look at last 3 years focal. I went to last stage final rounds on 5+ interviews but to no avail.
@1too, you simply saying you are bottom X%, and bottom Y% will be booted; is X>Y or X<Y.
If you are competitive, why not let the manager f--- themself and find a new opportunity for you.
I mean to ask if previous years SSL4 matters now? Was there anyone who got canned for last years SSL4?
@1jfp. Agreed. Those who got SSL4/5 should start looking for another job asap before they are booted out.
2/3 SSL4 is criteria for 2015
Single SSL4 (except new hire, first focal) is criteria in 2016
Single SSL4 in 2017 is safe
what is the criteria for 2018?
what is clear that SSL4/SSL5 is a clear sign that your manager (and/or second level manager) does not care if you leave (they may or may not know exactly when you will be booted, but clearly they do not care if you are out).
I think different years may have different criteria, all depends on how many people they want to eliminate. According to BK at the 2016 ACT webcast, SSL4/5 are always vulnerable.
The original question from @SpUQa6p-ndq was having SSL4/SSL5 in 2 out of 3 years. The answer is, in 2016 with just 1, I was booted out. That is what is important.
Agreed with @pzq. The HR algorithm booted you out, not your second level manager, nothing personal, but cold and cruel. On the other hand, your direct manager (possibly with your second level manager) assigned you a SSL4 which caused you to show up on the elimination list. Hopefully that can help you figure out the right people to curse after almost 2 years.
I was told by an HR legal when I investigated the case. So, it is not a lie, nor they don't understand how it works. The manager can play the rules
@idi That is b---s---. HR set some rules to decide who would be affected by ACT. Your SSL4 made you an ACT target. Your second level manager had nothing to do with it. Whoever told you that either lied to you or really didn‘t understand how ACT worked.
I was ISP in the ACT 2016, and had SSL4 just in 2016, nothing else. Worked with Intel 17 years. Still got booted out. What I can say is how strong your connection your manager, and second level manager would play bigger role. I was booted out by the second manager and my direct manager did not know a thing....
Well I believe the requirement in the past was SSL4 or SSL5 in 2 of the past 3 years. So in that case if your 2016 SSL was 4 or 5, you may be vulnerable. If it was 3 or higher, then you're more secure.