Thread regarding Cisco Systems Inc. layoffs

THANK YOU for calling it a layoff. After over a decade of so-called "limited restructurings" per year, the term has lost any semblance of its original meaning.

The term layoff originally referred to positions most likely suspended where the employees might be called back. It wasn't until the early 1980s that was used in place of firing as the whitewashing of the day. A quick web search will turn up a dozen or more euphemisms that have been used since then.

Externally triggered events happen to you, they don't define you.

It’s truly disheartening when replies that good people were laid off gets disliked. Really? Are you so insecure that you must think badly of those who were impacted? Are you so callous that you honestly think the over 200,000 individuals who have been laid off in the U.S. alone over the past two years are all bad performers? Are you so unrealistic that you really think you can control if you are laid off? It’s disgusting to me that all of you can sp-t in the face of those who you should be supporting. It’s cold and cruel. I’m appalled!

• > There’s always another layoff. Always. The only question is how big it’s going to be.

THANK YOU for calling it a layoff. After over a decade of so-called "limited restructurings" per year, the term has lost any semblance of its original meaning. There's nothing "limited" about these repeated, perpetual layoffs. It's become Cisco's only way to do business.

I’m glad at least a few of you get it. We(employees) shouldn’t be each other’s enemies. The point I’m trying to get across is that ELT doesn’t care about you. Cisco isn’t family contrary to what they tell you. They tell you what you want to hear so you don’t quit. They give you RSUs so you don’t quit. They constantly repeat that they are the best place to work. Once you hear it enough, you start to believe it.

If you understand how ELT works, this post wasn’t meant for you. However, if you think that you are loved so much at Cisco or so good at your job that they won’t lay you off one day, you are sadly mistaken.

@1aox+1uyuHkT3 Need a little work on that empathy I see. It’s an open forum by the way.
We still have friends at Cisco and I understand what those laid off feel.
It’s hard to invest in your career, get above average reviews throughout then made to feel judged a failure through something completely out of your control.
If those of us impacted in the past can help, maybe we want to.
It’s terrifying to feel a lack of control, but we aren’t powerless. I think it’s important people realize there is life after a Cisco layoff. Sorry if that offends those still at Cisco.

Why tf is there people who been laid off ages ago, still here??

I think a lot of you responding didn’t get the point. I don’t see OP as lashing out at those not impacted who realize good people were through no fault of their own.
It’s those who come on this site and other social media who say that the dead weight was laid off. I’ve seen these posts. I’ve seen articles where people don’t hire those laid off due to some ridiculous stigma.
My opinion is that if tens of thousands are impacted in all these layoffs, then either all these companies have the worst hiring practices on earth or something else is going on. This is not about employee’s performance - it’s about cutting expenses to balance the right columns on a spreadsheet to satisfy Wall Street.
And I was laid off a while back before you attack me. I’m doing fine and feel better not being in the environment of a company that constantly has layoffs.
I hope those I worked with will be okay and are safe. And I know that they fully realize being laid off doesn’t define me anymore than their not being laid off defines them. Honestly, empathy and integrity is ultimately what defines each of us.

It's amazing how many people didn't comprehend the first paragraph and can't step outside their limited experience to realize there is still a real stigma about layoffs out there. No, it's not everyone, but that does not mean it's no one.

OP I don’t care what everyone else says about you, I think you’re special :)

This is the thread that got hit hard today by HR and PR shills.

OP, disregard most of it.

OP has no idea how much cr-p will get dumped on his/her lap with no compensation, support or kudos. Enjoy the new workload munion .. you'll be wishing you got the call yesterday.

So OP came to lecture current employees? Okay… not the best delivery by the way.

I’m almost certain that current employees would leave now if they can but they prefer to have something lined up before they leave. The job market “years ago” is different than today. Food for thought.

OP again here…

I was impacted a couple of years ago but make significantly more money now. Things literally could not have worked out any better for me. This is simply a warning for those that think they are above being impacted. Believe it or not, a large number of people think the reason they weren’t impacted is because they are good at their job. And that this only happens to “dead weight”.

My original post is akin to a former cult member being kicked out and warning others to get out while they can.

OP, I don’t feel “special” for not being impacted. I’ve been with Cisco for over 10 years and built close relationships with my teams. I felt devastated about the layoff and the coworkers we lost.

Some nerve OP has for posting this.

What are you talking about? Nobody thinks that way. Everyone I work with understands lots of good people were let go and feels like the layoffs are a lottery

Read the room bro. This is a sh!tty post to make today. Time to get off the high horse.

I think the point the OP is trying to make is don't get comfortable. You should control your own destiny and be proactive about your career vs. waiting for a company to make decisions for you. I get it. Cisco is one of the worst for mental health with layoffs constantly looming in the background.

Reading between the lines, OP is trying to say:

“I got fu---d so I came here to say fu-k you all”

I was affected by the layoff but I don't agree with your bias thoughts. You need to take a step back and face the reality.

As you said, "you’re not special”. I hope you understand that this include yourself as well. Right?

It’s unlikely anyone would be overly concerned about you or the reasons for your layoff.

Again, you’re not special and move on.

What kind of “food for thought” is this? This very opinionated.

OP if this is what you truly I believe, you need to see a mental health specialist.

OP maybe you thought that you were special after surviving a layoff until you didn't. That way of thinking does not resonate with me.

To me LRs while a company is making profits is a reminder that we are numbers on a balance sheet. I wouldn't say this if executive pay was not so high. I'd love to see cuts in executive pay 1st. That is the only way an executive will ever convince me we're in this together.

Stay positive. Stop turning against each other. If you blame something, blame corporate greed. Oh and OP, grow up already, you seem incredibly immature.

Nobody is special.

We all can barely sleep at night with the layoffs on our mind but why are you coming after those that didn’t get laid off?

Of course I’d be angry when I get hit but I certainly would not be coming after my coworkers for not being in the same situation.

I’m sorry that you been impacted but you seem to be very judgmental… and you’re assuming that’s what other people thinking this morning. Stop worrying about what others think of you, and stop concerning yourself with other people's business. Focus on yourself. Might be better for your mental.

Sorry you were impacted. Here’s the thing though - plenty of people realize what’s going on. There’s always another layoff. Always. The only question is how big it’s going to be. In the meantime, as an employee, you have to decide if you’re in or out. If you’re in, you have to get back in and do the best you can do to get your job done and to take care of yourself. If you’re out, go ahead and get out.

Whether you agree with what they are doing or not, Cisco is fighting to stay in the game. The decisions they are making are in aid of that. The company is not in business to give any of us a job.

I woke up this morning knowing that some of my colleagues that I have been friends with for years don’t have a job and I don’t even know it yet (depending on what country they are in, they may not know it yet either). My second thought yesterday when I found out I wasn’t impacted was that 1H earnings call is 2/12/25, and there will 100% be another layoff then.

Isn't that the case for anyone alive on earth right now? Being angry and lashing out on others that were a little luckier than you won't help. You are lucky to work at a company that is giving you 6 months of pay to find another job. Most people in this planet will never be this lucky!