Thread regarding Microsoft Corp. layoffs

There are disturbing parallels between the layoff criterias for Microsoft and DXC. Take a look at https://www.thelayoff.com/dxc

As a hiring manager at Microsoft, I have hired many people in their 50's and 60's that are still with the firm today. Some of my best leaders are over 65 we hired in the past few years from the outside and we have no intention of letting them go if they still want to stay and keep doing great work. The Men M's love them as they provide excellent mentoring experience give a lot of themselves, and show every day that they want to be here. It's all a matter of attitude and capability. Don't age yourself out before others do and if you expect that you will be aged out, then there you go, you will possibly mentally create actions, attitude, and results to match - sabotaging yourself w/out even trying. Out of any company I have worked, Microsoft has the most Grays spanning across the teams that I have ever experienced. We hire a lot of grays that are quite talented so I would watch the attitude, focus on doing great work and building strong relationships across the firm. No I am not from HR...no even close.

@3qsy thanks for pointing out the stock price. Time to short it. No way MSFT deserves a PE of 30+

MSFT Stock is up near an all time high. The Street loves these changes.

The comparison with SAS (largest privately owned software business) is not fair given that is 10x smaller in size, but, it is known for its workplace culture and benefits. And, SAS has been identified as a "Best Company to Work For" in Fortune's annual rankings each year since the list's inception in 1997.

Now that it is over I will go to work at 10, take a 2 HR lunch starting at 11:45. 45 minute coffee break at 2:00. Trade a few stocks before market close then hit the gym at 4

I do believe that tach companies should be forced to provide age data on layoffs. Intel had to do this in Oregon and the results were startling, the older you got, the much higher your chance of going out the door. Of course the older employee generally earns more...

I would caution not contributing to your 401K. You at least should contribute up to the company match as that is free money and also the ESPP as that is a free 10% you get on the money (give or take). You can safely withdraw your 401K early w/out penalty under rule 72. Research this rule, although once you start withdrawing money, you cannot stop - you have to pick equal amounts each year until retirement age - e.g. 4% per year etc. Plus, any gains you make within your account are tax free until you do retire or are unemployed where your income will be far less, thus taxed far less. Don't give up any free money. Also, don't through the baby out w/the bathwater. I have seen plenty of people still around i their 60's that were hired in recent years with generalized skills that are still surviving. Same complaints because of a still very sick culture but they there, men and women.

Also, for every evil manager that gives you a bad mark, it only takes another one to give you a good mark. don't lose hope if you have done, are doing, still have the capacity to do good work. Some advice I got from some old timers at Microsoft is that all it takes is one hiring manager out of all of these thousands to hire you. They know the the BS ad how there can be a lot of immaturity in the review process so again, all it takes is one to give you a chance. Lisa Brummell has given a great stray about how once she got a 2.5 and her team said she was out. That was like 20 years ago and look at her career from there. Sooo, don't give up if you really want to stay. Also there are lot of other companies hiring today plenty for those over 40. It's not like it used to be despite the Microsoft rumors and drama which has a tendency to over dramatize the smallest of myths and then recover quickly. Kind of like a 2 year old hurling itself on the floor at review time, pounding fists and then the next day, everyone can and will recover if they set their mind to it. Me, over 50, still employed, seen many ups and downs, been on the fast track and accelerated many times and then the next year, a new boss, new drama, all of a sudden your no longer a star...bla black bla, just do an eye roll behind the scenes because you know that that is not the case and set your mind to getting a role in a spot where you know you can add value. It can be done and you don't need to be a genius, have a special inner circle, sleep w/someone or all of the other myths. You just need to set your mind to it, keep a great attitude, and stay focused on your skills as well as being able and willing to continue to adapt those skills

It continues to amaze me that anyone expects to survive in msft el al if they are over 50. You will be aged out at some point way before retirement. Indeed, how many make it to 59 1/2 at Msft ? How many get to 55 and vest out ?

All you need is a ding at review time from anyone providing feedback and out you go. Spend too much time with kids, aging parents, illness, family etc and then wait for the new hires to get you canned. One sentence of feedback can destroy 20 years of work.

What to do ?

• figure that you won't make it past 45 and start saving $$

• don't buy the big car, boat, house etc

• look at rental property, duplexes, ADU to start to offset income

• avoid 401k since you will be broke before you can get money out

• if married make sure partner can earn if needed

• read up on cobra, exchange etc so you are prepared to cover health cost

Ageism and s-x as factors for laying or not laying off personnel. That reeks of discrimination. Not good for PR at all.

You forgot that if you are woman, than you are less likely to be laid off, as this place is struggling to keep an even balance between genders.