Do we have an inkling on what criteria will be used to determine who gets let go of?
I'm hoping it will not be as before, when we lost some of our best people with most experience while a few completely useless (and I am being generous by only using that term) individuals are still here wasting both our time and company's money.
Are we really going to be getting rid of dead weight or will those earning more than average due to their time with Qualcomm again pay the price?
This would mean if you are with the right boss, likely you may be potentially safe.
But if have high performer and still worried due to the political circumstances , RED flag!
My team (in QCES) is dismantled, half going to one new boss, half going to another. This is the worst case scenario. Doesn't matter how well I've performed in the past. New boss will get rid of unknown people first, no brainer.
Previous layoffs were merit based. Of course merit is to some degree subjective, but I was a top performer so I never worried.
This time, it seems more team- and project-based. If you're in the wrong team like me, merit may not matter.
Also how you have played your games with your manager and leads. If you are on the right political team, you are likely to be saved I suppose. This is applicable 80% of the time. i.e this has reflected in your reviews most likely as well. Which also translates into , if you are on the list!
your work output is perhaps a secondary.
Salary and age
This was the rule last time
I think it is just you that will be fired by your attitude.