Thread regarding Cisco Systems Inc. layoffs

had my first 6 month review post cisco. its so refreshing to work for a sensible co with a open review process where all sides may constructively discuss - cisco had it too in the old days before the "great revolution of 2014". back to E+ status after a couple shambolic victimized years in a d---beat BU, reporting to a line of people managers with no accomplishments barring insulting comments on bug scrubber, kissing the perfumed posterior of the directors and stealing our RSUs.

feels like i got out jail after a long sentence :)

for those not in a coma, do explore outside your silo , the world is shifting to software based everything and we should move with the times. atleast brush up and be prepared even if you are in a good place , because you never know when one becomes a "line in a LR xlsx file"

none can predict what the big boys & girls will dictate down.

It has nothing to do with age. After 10+ years at Cisco you are G11 or 12 and too expensive. I was a 35 year old G12 and was let go a couple years ago. Ended up with huge payout due to circumstances and was able to reinvent myself. Now I work for a competitor and my comp has been slightly better than Cisco ever was. For anyone reading this, is Cisco pays you take it and go. Between cobra, accelerated RSU's, PTO, and severance you make out OK. Just stay on LinkedIn and keep interviewing so you are ready when the time comes, because it will. Cisco revenue is almost flat compared to high growth tech. Kelly and Chuck play a shell game for EPS and you are the next knob to lower expenses.

I would suggest that if you happen to get laid off from Cisco, ebrace it, enjoy your package, don’t be bitter, and know that: 1) there ARE jobs out there, regardless of your age, that are better 2) those jobs offer environments where you won’t wake up in fear every day that another LR is coming.

Who are these companies? They are Cisco’s peer companies, partners, competitors, and new disrupters that are NOT prominently featured on sites like this.

Boom.

I too was impacted in my late '50's. There is life after Cisco. They gave a fair severance package, and I am on to the next stop at slightly higher pay with a newer company.

I had a great time there, but after being out for a couple of months, I realize how little I will miss it. Such a political environment. I thought Chuck would make it better, but it seemed as bad as ever as I exited.

If the place floats your boat, good for you. But if you start to feel you are being ground down, get out---regardless of your age.

Hope to recalibration of pay packages works out positively for those with tenure.

If all is rosy after you left what exactly are you doing here?

@@Zk18Eqk-1tmp To be honest I can't remember the name of the BU I worked for. I was lucky enough to get picked up by Arista. I hold no ill will towards Cisco. The experience of working there pre 2000 was amazing and I was well compensated while I was there. Getting kicked to the curb in my fifties s---ed, but as it happened, it was all for the best.

I hope others have the same luck I did.

What BU were you and what competitor did you go to?