Thread regarding IBM layoffs

Here is my husband's scenario...

Here is my husband's scenario. He was working for IBM at same client for almost 19 years. Over the past year the client spend has been getting lower and lower and the IBM resources working for the client have been dwindling. He held on as long as possible but in Dec he was told he had 2 months to find another role at another client or lose his job. In the process they made him sign a PIP form (Performance Improvement Form). Needless to say his rating and reviews have been great, so the only thing they could put as his improvement actions are:

  • Actively search for a new client (and check in with manager each week with progress on search)

  • Build skills that will make him more relevant as he looks for another client account

He did both and did get an offer to work at another IBM client. However, that client required government clearance and he waited for the clearance paperwork to arrive, but unfortunately his paperwork did not arrive before the PIP expired. So at 49 years old he was forced to separate from IBM and was given only 1 month severance because he was on a PIP.

Seems to me putting people on PIP just because there current client doesn't have enough funds is illegal and a way to cut IBM headcount with little legal recourse for the employee.

Anyone have thoughts on this.

by Anonymous
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Post ID: @OP+TwTa67k
Comment! It's anonymous!

7 replies (most recent on top)

The way these middlemen like IBM, Accenture, Infosys, Wipro etc work is horrible. For example they charge $200/hr from clients and pay just $60/hr to the employee... Please tell your husband to work directly for the client. He has huge experience and the actual business would value it.... whereas these brokers are just looking at the profit margins... Believe me, most businesses/clients have plans for next 5yrs and they are waiting for talent to join... Since, it's a somewhat difficult process for them to hire impressive candidates, then the business just seeks help from these middlemen... Take my word, the only focus for these brokers are only for their profit margins(billing the client more and more), they are never worried about client and the employee as well..

by Amit Kr
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Post ID: @9ksg+TwTa67k

They cut my territory by 80% and put me on a PIP sixty days later. It's cheaper than an RA. If you are over 40 they are just looking for any excuse they can use.

by Anonymous
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Post ID: @2mxu+TwTa67k

I have seen people offered roles before that clearance came through so something is a miss here.

Sounds to me like this was a done deal on IBM's side from the get-go.

by Anonymous
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Post ID: @2kxc+TwTa67k

Still looking.

by Anonymous
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Post ID: @2ziv+TwTa67k

I don't understand why you guys still work there if the severance is so low.

by Hub Nuir
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Post ID: @1ana+TwTa67k

The top management just save their a-- right now, they never think this will haunt them back. Take a look at the market now, how many companies are adopting IBM technology. They are losing the market share, there is always a reason why this company is tumbling so fast and being kick out of it own empire for the last few decades.

by Anonymous
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Post ID: @qsu+TwTa67k

The sad thing is he found a new client BUT IBM was not willing to wait for the government clearance to come through which tells you how much the fail to value their employees. Not sure if it was the case, but many clients also have a say in who works on their account and also get to interview them. He should see if he can go to work for the client directly. Now that I am out of IBM, it is fun to use my knowledge of their internal operations to my advantage. Your husband could probably save this new client six or seven figures/year based on what he knows about IBM.

by Anonymous
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Post ID: @kaz+TwTa67k

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