Thread regarding Seagate Technology Inc. layoffs

That was poorly stated, so I'll clarify. The people I was accusing of having a lack of imagination and ability to change were the execs. There are a lot of extremely intelligent and creative people of all ages in the ranks, but I don't see the leadership bringing any creativity to the table.

Responding to post-id "zdy" who said they made the severance package worse a year ago when they updated it:

I have both the current separation policy, dated 06/15/2015, and the previous separation policy, dated 01/02/2014. The only difference I could find is that they added a section on arbitration. The severance pay did not change, and in fact, it has been the same for years. I'm pretty sure it was the same in 2009, and for years before that too.

Perhaps people making the claim that they made the severance package worse last year could back it up with some details?

I am sure I will feel better in a few days. I got home tonight and my hand automatically reached for the badge to hang it up with the keys. That was very sad.

Seagate is heading down the drain.. So Why are the young engineers staying ?? No ambition? Non hirable?? 3% layoff and everyone is freaking out. High tech company's have 2-3% attrition every quarter ..sounds like a low class of younger engineers that have embraced administrative duties.

Seagate was founded November 1, 1979, thats 15 years before I was born and half of our employees have been here since it opened. Damn you old people with GID triple numbers, you should retire. Let GIDs in the 70000 range run the show and teach you about technology.

I'm only at Seagate for the free popcorn. Take away my popcorn and I quit!

Agree with the last post on the cheaper to get people to quit idea. Don't know though on the getting older ones out because of lack of imagination and fixation on how things were. If companies like Seagate are wanting to push older employees out, I believe it would be because many older folks have a different set of traits that don't mix well with what is happening now in the tech industry. Traits like wisdom, healthy skepticism, and fortitude are getting more rare in people and those people make it hard for a company do mess with people any way they want whenever they want. The younger generation - just as intelligent and hopeful for sure - seems to be more easily placated by having less lofty or permanent needs fulfilled. The younger generation seems more easily distracted from these principles by trivial concepts i.e. facebook, social media, whatever.. I am not making any statement here as to one generation being better than another.. I just think they are different. If I were an employer with an operation in a state of flux, I would want a work force that is not so familiar or even interested in long term stability too - there'd be less resistance or complaints.

OTOH, posting bogus information about a reduced package could be a calculated move to get people to quit, especially the older ones who might be sticking around for just such a package. That would make the next round cheaper. The feeling I've been getting for the last (more than a decade) is a progressive slow creep of dimming of opportunities and offerings, each one coupled with a "in order to be competitive" statement. BTW: Competitive has a new meaning. That is "no better than anyone else." There was a large step function change when they removed the dreaded vacation burden. Getting people to quit voluntarily seems like a move to make it cheaper for them when they have to downsize the company because of lack of imagination and a fixation on the way things have always been.

To those who were affected: the next few days might be rough but you WILL feel better after a week or so. I was 99% sure last Monday so I've had last week to cope. Believe me life goes on.

None of you know what you're talking about. There was no RIF, it was a global footprint consolidation.

I think this is bogus. If Seagate comes out with a "new" RIF package that totally sucks, then everyone would just start leaving. That's total suicide for the company. I've always thought that the RIF packages were as much for the ones that stay as they are for the ones that leave.

They made the exit package worse about a year ago when they updated it. It was true the last time someone posted it was getting worse. Not sure if true this time but it's Seagate, it wouldn't surprise me in the slightest.

Never fails, after every RIF there is some idiot posting "rumors" that the separation package will be worse next time. smh

I imagine some people didn't sign.. as in 2009..

I'm not an attorney.. but here is some advice..

1. don't decide willy-nilly, review EEOC complaint instructions on their website, call an attorney

2. roughly try to consider (as a non-lawyer type) if Seagate violated any of those laws with you. An attorney can help with that too

3. check the age disclosure list Seagate hands out to rif'd people; you may be in the over 40 or some other category

4. save, fwd important emails; take notes immediately on who, what, where and when of nonsense that happened to you while it is fresh in your mind

5. get info from and maintain contact with colleagues laid off and still there

6. if you go EEOC route first which may be necessary in most cases depending on the issue, don't delay, EEOC is notorious for taking forever and there are deadlines with legal stuff that may matter later. An attorney might be able to speed that up and more importantly, help you fill out the EEOC complaint properly, that may matter too.

7. get an attorney, get an attorney..

ps.. if you do decide to go legal, you should still probably be looking for a job in the interim

Did anyone try to negotiate their severance package or refuse to sign release? I remember lawsuits after 09 layoffs for discrimination.

Sorry to hear you lost your job. Although it feels rotten right now I can tell you it's happend to me several times and every time I found a better job with higher pay. Do one day you will look back with fond memories and count your lucky stars.

If you like your job, you are likely good at what you do. No need to worry, you will find better one soon.

What is the basis for the claim of a reduced severance package in future RIF actions?

I feel the same way....thought it was going to miss me as last round in September decimated the group. IT lost a lot of talent and brainpower today.

30 days pay max? gonna be harder to get senior rif'd people to sign the layoff release. I smell lawsuits coming down the road if that's true.

I got laid off today. I was not expecting it and I have a hard time processing what happened. I wish I could see things in a more positive way.

I hated corporate BS but I actually liked my job.