Followed this site for a couple of years and I have always appreciated it to predict upcoming never ending gloom. This is my first post. Latest RA included many Canadians. Entire groups wiped out with work either disappearing, our IT Hardware (physical servers and infrastructure) and support of it shifted to the USA and other services gone to other "cheaper" parts of the world (band 8/9 let go, new hire job descriptions created for band 6s). 2nd line role - yes management was included. Its just business unfortunately so we all have to s— it up and move on to a more positive and less toxic environment. Fellow Canadian IBM'ers take trust the future is bleak for many of you. The latest RA was WW and planned well before covid. Some USA employees on the list were last min shifted to junior digital sales commission jobs to reduce the # of USA layoffs recorded. No Canadians given that opportunity and were not able to look for other jobs in IBM. Period. In future, do NOT NOT NOT accept package offer and consult legal advice in Canada. The wonderful history of IBM will be lost forever by the actions of poor leadership on many levels.
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Maybe there was just no round 2 this year, or its very small with a few hits here and there.
The severance offers medical coverage or subsidy for a few years which is perfect for me... it makes no sense for him to keep my plans a secret .. what can I do?
Unfortunately @cusb your best bet might have been for your manager to simply rank you lower than your peers and pass that along on the evaluations they do prior to an RA - in our area our manager tried to put several people they knew were leaving this year on the May RA list and were refused. Since those people were already leaving and had signaled so, they counted towards the target headcount reduction without the company incurring the expenses of putting those employees on the RA list. To an extent I'm sure this varies from RA to RA.
I am planning to retire Dev 2020. I have expressed it may be in my best interest to be RA’d with my manager. This could save a job for someone not ready to retire.My manager has chosen to share my plans with his executives,.. The severance offers medical coverage or subsidy for a few years which is perfect for me... it makes no sense for him to keep my plans a secret .. what can I do?
Lab Services in the US is laying off a few people here and there. This is the only thing I know. But today is 8/27 so let's see if anything happens...
So far, I've not heard a peep about an RA this week. If it's happening, it's not widespread.
@7xci – What locations? What organizations? Scope? Any other details would be appreciated.
There is a resource action on-going as we speak
Has anyone heard if there will be a second resource action in IBM before ending 2020?
whoever said not to negotiate is outright incorrect. I know of several colleagues that have been RA'd in the last 5 years or so, and all have negotiated much better packages. The main downside to this is that IBM drags out the settlement process for a year.
@dbx - try to read more carefully. "With few exceptions, when you are tagged to be RIF'd, you are blackballed and cannot find another position within IBM." With few exceptions., not absolute. I know from experience and just trying to help you avoid wasting time on an internal transfer unless you are very, very special. Perhaps you are!
In your original post, you said "In future, do NOT NOT NOT accept package offer". You did not use the word negotiate. That, IMO, is also a waste of time. IBM doesn't negotiate unless, again, you are very, very special. Perhaps you are!
curious, was your package 2 weeks per year of service?
Its not declining a package, it’s renegotiating the amount. If you accept the default package from any company in Canada and do not confirm and negotiate for what you are entitled to - that is foolish! Please folks don’t listen to that advice. The process isnt difficult. Just have 1 free meeting with an employment lawyer and you will see. No harm done.
Also, you are wrong again. There are sometimes opportunities to stay with IBM depending on role and country.
Guys please weed through the responses on here some of it is complete garbage by people who are just p-ss-d off. I shared facts only in hopes to help someone like me who was reading in the shadows for years. Cheers and good luck!
Get a lawyer
IBM's decline and fall was written when Palmisano became CEO, and then handed off to Rometty. I was laid off in the sweeping worldwide RIF in May 2016, same story, included many Canadians. With few exceptions, when you are tagged to be RIF'd, you are blackballed and cannot find another position within IBM. Don't waste your time on that; use all available time to look elsewhere. You should read-up on employee's efforts to unionize and/or sue for discrimination. IBM has more lawyers, funds and time than you do. Not accepting your fate and declining a package is just plain foolish. MOVE ON.