I was a grade 9 with 18 years of service at Intel. From the time I was delivered the ISP news by HR to when I was out of the building, it took only 20 minutes. They only allowed me to go to my desk while escorted by my manager to get my car keys, return my laptop, and leave. They denied me getting my personal items; they'd ship them to me. While I was going through my desk in a rush trying to salvage whatever personal items I could with my manager standing next to me and my colleagues watching me, nothing I wanted more than the world ending for me right there. I experienced the most humiliating event of my life yesterday at Intel. From the CEO to the VP of my organization, they kept talking about offering "world class package" and the respect and dignity we deserved. How deceitful. I was just short of being put in handcuffs and be escorted by security for receiving ISP. I am highly educated and with my experience I will find a job in no time, if I decide to get back to the workforce. But, after devoting 18 years of my life to this company and at the end being treated like trash has scarred me for ever. I am hoping this case was personal and isolated, but I'd like to hear your experience being delivered the ISP news.
55 replies (most recent on top)
Okay Mr/Mrs. @H7Ns89h-gzv,
I know the Grade 9 that started this thread. I hired that person into the company. I can say that he has more patents than I am guessing you can count. This person helped me become a senior manager in a very short period of time. Why, because they have one of the best computer science minds I have had the honor to know and because they worked their butt off to get their jobs done.
This person was a key person in the development of Kittyhawk, the FIRST 'C' based BIOS done at Intel. Later SSG took the project over and called it EFI, the UEFI and took 11 years to get it done. This person was part of a team that delivered this new BIOS on IA32 and Itanium in less than 2 years.
@H7Ns89h-gzv...your a pompous assand a dumb assto boot. This site is anonymous for a reason and if anyone posts the WWID they would likely face a brutal retaliation from Intel. So I dare you to post your WWID so we can look you up on Outlook and send you fun emails for the next 6 weeks. I really hate bullies!!! My faith requires that I forgive you but I would mind asking for your forgiveness after I kicked your ass
Response from OP to H7Ns89h-1mnk (and others): This forum has become my support group. Thank you all for your posts and talking about your side of story. I know my situation was not the worst. At least one other ISPer mentioned they were threatened with security being called on them. There are probably worse stories that happened to others out there, as there are better stories. We are all professionals in a field that none of us will have problem finding another, if not better, job. As I was stepping out of the room to be escorted out of the building, like a criminal, with the package in my hand I showed the package to the HR and said "this is not the respect and dignity BK and my VPs promised. A severance package is a standard industry practice. Throwing me out like trash is the respect and dignity they kept talking about." Intel gave me the respect as an employee for 18 years because they wanted me to come back to work the next day. The moment they were done with me I was a dirty tissue they had blown their nose in and I needed to be thrown out immediately.
Your experience was horrible because your manager is horrible. Yours sounds like one of the worst ive heard of. Mine was pretty neutral. My manager walked me back through 2 buildings in fm so was a long awkward walk. My Mgr and i are friendly but i wouldnt say we're friends. But he was fine with me going to my desk and even saying a quick goodbye. I had a smile on my face as I was relieved and happy to take a lot of pay and leave the place I'd started to hate since focal. He, on the other hand looked like his dog died. Guilt, cause he had to pick someone and call them a performance problem and he knew that i wasnt. But I blame BK and the other fat cats who f'do up the business and axed us for it. Funny that the HR person tried several times to offer sympathy, but I just didn't need it. She would say things about how hard it must be for me and I'd say "uh huh, so will I get paid for my sabbatical? ".
I could imagine if your manager is an a--hole, it's going to be ugly. The idiot feared what you might say or feared being blamed by your team and colleagues. He screwed himself by demeaning you in front of others. Karma correction will come.
see this post, file a complaint with the EEOC @H713I5v ...share far and wide
:(
this is what i heard really happening also from my friends in FM
This stuff stays with you all your life.
I came to the USA as a refugee, long story short, I had to leave my home overseas, we packed in less than 30 minutes, left my whole life behind.
I've been living here 20+ years, yet I am always ready to jet (from my house) even though all is good and all is stable in my life. Very similar to what @fuu was saying here:
At my new work place I don't have anything in the office except my laptop, monitors and the docking station. I am ready to go again if it comes again.
When I was termed a few years ago I cried in the exit meeting because it was unexpected, and the HR Legal person cried as well because they know me. I was not allowed to go back to my desk but he/she (I don't want to give them away) did stay after hours the next night so I could come back when the campus was empty and gather my things. This was back when things were more civilized. I can say 100% that the HR people I know who are processing people out are deeply impacted by this. It is tearing them apart, the direction doesn't come from HR, it comes from executive staff, HR is told how much need to be reduced and given a deadline. Reductions are hard on everyone, I sincerely hope that it remains as dignified as possible for all involved.
@H7Ns89h-viz: I am the one who said to consider your job as a business contract. I am not trying to defend Intel at all. Of course I agree that we shouldn't buy into the any corporate propaganda. We should actively mentor your people (your kids, friend's kids, nephews, nieces etc) to teach that company runs to make profits for it's shareholders and not to provide employment and treat their job at the company as business transaction.
Gr8, 16 years, SL2/1/2 past 3 years, SL4 this year due to politics. Knew ISP was inevitable, so took steps to make sure the exit process was as much on my terms as possible. Went into the office Sunday and packed up all my belongings, transferred all my personal files from laptop.
Got 1:1 meeting hit late Sunday afternoon for Monday AM. Went to room with everything I needed to walk out. My manager was on the phone for all of 2 min and then it was just me and the HR rep. They were very cordial and demonstrated great empathy throughout our 15-20 min meeting. I even offered my support to them for the difficult job they're performing (they're not the ones dropping the axe, just have to carry out orders).
Was offered to go back to my desk to collect things - didn't need to, had it all already. Was offered to go to the FM BUM room transition center where I was told IT could help get some personal files from laptop, and I could talk to a counselor and/or the career transition people. I declined. Through a little foresight and preparation, I was able to avoid a potentially embarrassing walk through the campus. HR collected my laptop and escorted me the short distance to my building's lobby and we were done.
I don't begrudge Intel as a company for this action - it's totally within their right. What I fear for the remaining employees are the numerous poor leaders and managers that will be remain, who are simply ill-equipped to manage and lead in the 21st century.
To those who say "your job is a contract": Intel uses propaganda to try to convince employees that they are in one giant family and Intel is there for you. These messages are constant from recruiting all the way up until they say they're firings will be with "respect and dignity".
So in addition you defenders of Intel's cruel treatment of it's own workers must state: "Also don't believe any of the constant propaganda of Intel, because they are lying to you to try to get a few more hours/wk out of you".
Lies. Good luck trying to get people to buy into that sh-- now.
@Mark Allyn
You made a great decision. Bellingham is a great place you will not regret it. I might retire there some day.
@H7Ns89h-gja : Your last ride home from Jones Farm to your new home sounds exciting. All the best for the new chapter in your life..
I have no idea how the managers and HR people can stomach doing this (escorting people out). I think I would start crying if I had to escort a friend or co-worker to the door. I really like and care about the people I work with. They're not hardened or dangerous criminals. They're just regular joes, like the rest of us.
I had foreseen this several months ago and began to remove my personal belonging one at a time (I commute 20 miles each way by bicycle so I cannot carry much). I was completely stripped of personal belongings as of early last week and my cubicle is now bare.
I did not get ISP, but got VSP, which I have accepted. When I leave, I will have absolutely nothing with me; I will be very light.
In fact, my last bicycle commute will be from Jones Farm in Oregon to my new home in Bellingham, Washington, which is about 280 miles away. The only belongins that I will have for that multi day bicycle ride will be one change of clothes, my phone, some rainwear, and a book to read while in my motel room each night of the trip.
Apparently whoever doubt whether others are real Intel employees are proving themselves not Intel employee. This is already bad enough. I don't think anyone with first-hand experience needs to make it sound worse than it is.
@H7Ns89h-ydo, perhaps you haven't seen the posts about what they are doing to FM ee's???? They are not informing anyone of anything, then once it's their time, they simply instruct them to go to the BUM room... My heart just breaks knowing this, I can't imagine! My former colleagues, my heart is broken! Posts here: @H6MbHsd, @H6pXtNE-etl
My manager told me that I was ISP 3 hours prior and let me get the boxes out of his office and pack. At 16yrs and over 55, I was hoping for ERP. Luckily being retire eligible you can choose ISP or ERP. ERP is better. But because I was ISP, I had to leave after the 1:1. The HR rep was really nice as we had met before in the past. Regular ERPs stay til June 24. My wife doesn't want me lounging around the house, so I have to go find another gig.
@H7Ns89h-yhm, yeah I'm getting paid by the company, I work here. I'm seeing this first hand, and I'm sad to hear people experiencing it like this, but it's certainly not how it's being handled at my site. A few from my cube farm were informed today and they had the opportunity to get all their stuff and say goodbyes to teammates. I'm just saying, don't judge the entire company based on a few events. There's no easy way to handle this and this can certainly happen anywhere
This is pretty much exactly what happened to me, although I packed all of my stuff last Friday in anticipation of this BS.
It was truly humiliating to go back to grab my backpack and be escorted out in front of the team that I hired from scratch a little over a year ago.
I've only been with Intel a short time. I can't imagine how I'd feel if I'd dedicated a decade or two to them.
Last year SIP here. We didn't ave this problem last year. I was able to go to my office and take my personal belonging and no manager around. At my new work place I don't have anything in the office except my laptop, monitors and the docking station. I am ready to go again if it comes again.
I have nothing personal at my cube. I saw this coming into a company when I first started. They had to train us to do their jobs as they got laid off. It never leaves you and you are traumatized. Guess I was lucky to know this going into my career.
Sorry to all who have been blindsided.
I believe this can happen. I read a post on askamanager.org blog where people had reported the meeting during which they were let go and aftermath. It is extremely common (though inhuman) in many companies. So, please guys treat your work as business contract with intel and please don't have attachment to your job. I always looked at people's cube and wondered why do they have so much personal belongings in their cubes. I have a water bottle on my desk, and books in a box (not in cabinets or shelf). Some one came to my cube last week and asked me if I just moved in. I am sitting in that place for more than a year now.
This is a very isolated event, not exaggerated? Someone said? You must be kidding. There is no respect in this place, ruthless, yes! You must be paid by the company.
OK prove you used to work for Intel and post your WWID. :)
I dare you!!
ISP = Involuntary Separation Package (6 weeks pay and 3 months cobra)
You are given a packet of information HR will not answer any questions you are referred to the packet.
The HR person helping me did answer some questions.
My manager appeared shaken. He did not know what was happening. I was going to take over an org unit based on my Focal review.
It was a "Black Monday" 4/25/2016 at Intel.
I don't know. I need more proof that these posts are coming from actual Intel employees. Not saying it couldn't happen, but some people could be trying to push an agenda
What is ISP? I am aware of Early retirement or voluntary separation.
Are the layoffs(ESP. Performance layoffs) happening particularly in PC division or mobile too?
This story is the exact process that has been happening for all ISPs. Most aren't even allowed to get their things from their desks. The only people calling BS on this are those that don't work here or have been so naive as to not watch what's happening around them.
Or corporate shills.
Last year I took VSP. I got package for 6 months and got job immly.. Don't worry guys.. Sinking boat
In the last 30 hours or so nothing could have cheered me up, but seeing strangers posting responses with comforting words. Thank You. I was afraid my post was getting too long for people to read it. I don't know if the response "OP is a liar" is referring to me. If so, I did not say people are not being treated with respect. That's why I asked if others could post their experience. I just explained
how I was treated. Nothing in my post was exaggerated. My desk/bench was in a common area where there is no separation between my desk and my neighbors'. I was not offered for my manager to go and get my belongings. I was told to "go up, get your car keys, bring your laptop, and you can leave". I was not talking about personal files on my computer. I was talking about personal belongings such as family pictures on my desk, my headphone, books that I had brought from home, and such.
I asked if I could have an hour to collect them. The HR response was "your manger will ship them to you". I did not try to spice things up. Again, since I don't know if this was an isolated case (even so, I don't know why), at this time I'd rather not to say what group or which site, but it was not in TMG.
Yes, I was grade 9 and I was ready. I knew what SL I had received and our CEO specifically said folks with my SL are at risk. No surprise for me. I could have left Intel with all the respect I have always had for it. The point of my post was how they treated me in my last 20 minutes at Intel.
I had to personally give an ISP to an employee and it was awful. I saw the procedure before meeting with the employee so I asked for the earliest possible slot on Monday and sent out the meeting invite Sunday night. Thankfully due to the leak of ISP criteria, the person got the hint and packed all the personal belongs. I was so relieved that I didn't have to go back and pack. I don't know how layoffs are handled in other companies but it felt too harsh for me
The OP's experience is nearly identical to mine. I took too long to gather my keys and the picture of my wife, so they told me they would call security if I didnt hurry. It was the most humiliating experience of my life. 18 years for me, but white and over 50 so I was treated as a disease to be eradicated. Shameful.
@H7Ns89h-flz, I see you back here on the thelayoff.com exactly same time next year with SSL4 asking what conference room in FM6 you will be booted. Get a life looser.
There maybe no good way to do this as a company. I believe the issue at Intel is the criteria used to assign ISP. Employee's of age 45 to 65 receive the most ISP's. It takes 20 years to make grade 8 or above, and Intel is top heavy in experience, especially in the US. Meanwhile IoT has been hiring RCG's. It hurts, I could cry age discrimination but what is the point. Intel needs to recreate itself as a company. I have the opportunity, with some experience with Intel, to recreate myself.
I don't believe this post. Here you are a grade 9 posting on this forum? You should have been ready.
Grade 9, chandler, exactly the same treatment. One SL4 in eleven years.
Sorry for you . Hope you survive this . All the best . Plus f--- Intel
OP is not a liar. This is how it has been happening the last two days at our office.
I was a grade 8 with 16 years at Intel. I have never had a performance review less than a Successful. I had to stand up to HR to even go back to my desk to gather my belongings. My manager was gratuitous enough to get me a cart to haul my boxes. It was the most professionally humiliating experience of my life.