After 19 years I made a decision to leave, starting my job search right now. I know there is a ton of very upset people at Intel, but I really liked my work, my team, and yes, my boss. Yet, it's time to retool and go, it'll take a while, I may get cut in the process but I've made my decision this morning. Good luck to all...
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Finally a thread of replies where everyone is fair and have posted great opinions. I think Intel's culture is the same as the crazy industry. On top of it, the lack of vision at the top level -- concentrating on the processor world without (major) diversification will contribute its demise. Look at Apple. They were like HP or IBM in "value" mode, but they took off in different directions, and one of them paid off huge (iPhone). They know that the love story would only last maybe another 5 years, so they are looking into cars, etc. Not saying that Apple gets everything right. They would make the same stupid decisions at the top helm like Intel and can get screwed.
As for individuals, never have the Intel loyalty. I go to work every day to collect my paycheck, do reasonable justice to it, but not work above and beyond the time I want to put in. The motivation is not there. It is not 'my' company anymore. People can say I have a bad attitude, but from my perspective, large companies will F**K you anytime, so I am just readying myself for it.
There are better things to do in life than slog at a large sweat shop.
I have also made the decision to leave, regardless if I get VSP or not. I want out of the engineering slave ship where arrogant management misuses Agile process to force innovation to the tune of a metronome. This is not the same company it was, there is NO work life balance.. if you have the means get the he'll out... as for me everything is paid off but the house... maybe I will go into construction and play with Tonka toys, seriously thinking about just a way low stress job at this point...Obama and the greedy corporate H1B visa... Intel could have realigned skillset with need at sites... I am really tired of praying I dodge the bullet every six months, stress and your health is not worth the pay... abandon this company people, get out... let all the H1B visas and RCGs have everything... F--- this company...
I will be very surprised if the numbers show any age bias eliminating early retirement.
1) if your in a small site, back your bags or start looking for a job.
2) if your last performance review was "Satisfactory" or less, start packing.
Early Retirement offers may shift the average upwards. but i suspect the mean age for separation is going to be about 42. Right in the middle of the employee age range.
Mostly because Intel is very PC.
Diversity #1 (ie White Males last in line and only if you can't find anyone in an Under Represented Minority bracket. )
And gee, it is a Federal Crime to discriminate based on AGE.
(it's lsx) I think he might not be able to change his date once it's submitted. That would ROYALLY suck!
Sounds like a guy I know, @tue. The day before the announcement he told me he was planning on retiring, that he's done. I told him he should try to stick around for a month or so to see if any packages get offered but he said 'nah, I'm done. It would have to be a lot of money to make it worth it'.
If it was me I'd wait at least a few months to see if anything is being offered (and what I did this since I became eligible for early retirement a few months ago). I might ask him if he changed his mind the next time I see him now that the announcement came a day after he told me. lol I think it would be real dumb not to wait, even if he doesn't need the money. I don't need the money either but I still want it. lol
A buddy of mine just turned in his notice to leave at the end of this month. Not sure why he doesn't wait for a possible VSP? He says he's done.
re: They have been hiring all along this year and now they need to have a layoff? If you knew that, why not freeze hiring company wide? @wou
Because the recent hires are mostly RCGs and diversity. We're making room for those with a smaller paycheck, Duh.
@smq I am the OP, I'd rather leave on my own terms, when I want to leave, where I want to leave.
Why not wait for a package? Doesnt INTEL offer a package if you wish to leave? The announcement says not just layoffs but voluntary severance as well?
They go through this just about every year. It is obvious that they do not know how to run their business and are unable to stabilize this.
One example: They close sites, make people move to a new site (which requires relocation & buying a new home), and then they close the new site.
Another: They have been hiring all along this year and now they need to have a layoff? If you knew that, why not freeze hiring company wide?
And - watch for this - most of the people laid off will be in their 40s plus. This also has a component of cleaning house of older employees and bringing in new ones. And it has nothing to do with "not keeping up your skills." And everything to do with "we pay you more than young college grads."
Anyone working at Intel should be prepared for a circular pattern, year after year, of wondering if it is your turn. Sometimes this is partially due to performance. Too many times performance has nothing to do with it. You just happen to be at the wrong site or on the wrong project.
Good move, staying @Intel is living in hell not knowing if you will be laid off next June. How can anyone live like that, worrying about everything ranging from putting your kids through college, keeping the roof over your head. Good luck with job search. Take adventage of the Intel free job search program Risesmart they offer to you. They will redo your resume and meet with them weekly. You will learn alot
Good luck, OP. :) I think you'll be much better off.