Thread regarding IBM layoffs

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Why dont you resign and go to a decent company that will respect your contribution?

I mean b--ching endlessly here on Thelayoff.com does not help anyone.

This sums it up (from @whc)

best the manager will just respond to HR with list of reasons those other's got promoted...

I would have to agree that going to HR because you feel "others getting promoted just because they are the manager's favorites." is probably not going to get you too far. At best the manager will just respond to HR with list of reasons those other's got promoted.... then list out reasons you are not ready for another promotion, list out past rating.. etc. So you would end up even lower on the manager's favorites list. Been with IBM long time and had many, many managers... some good, some clueless, some just looking for their next promotion, and some I'm surprised they ever got a job in the first place. So unless this manager is asking you out on a date, or asking for money so can buy a boat, or forging expense accounts, I would suggest trying as best you can to put up with the politics & continue doing good work... Re-Orgs happen all the time, you come in one day and find out that manager now moved somewhere else and you now have new manager. If you find yourself truly unhappy, and future outlook really is bleak.... might be worth looking into move within IBM or get resume in order and posted on a few external jobs sites. Best of luck!

@wrk - amen, good post

@zcy OP's probably with GBS on the consulting side, they still do promos like a clockwork

I think that you should start looking for positions outside of the company. IBM does not promote prior based soley on tenure or even on hard work. It is based on the needs of the business. When times are good and business is growing, opportunities appear. Still, no one is guaranteed a promotion. You will need to interview against peers as well as other IBMer's from other divisions who may be willing to take a new role in order to rise up the "ladder". I think (and this is just my advice) that if you were to go to HR, it would not help or hurt you. You would simply vent to them and they would take note but they know better than anyone in the company that IBM is cutting workforce, not growing it. They may even tell you that you should be happy to have a position and to keep working hard and keep a positive attitude. Negative attitudes stick out, and they are always noticed by management, no matter what you may think. When cuts are needed, you want to be the person who is thought of as hard working, keeps a positive attitude and outlook, and believes that things will work out in the end. Your manager will know that and that could keep you from the unemployment line. Also, if you do work as hard as you say you do and you believe that you should be a leader, keep the faith. Go out and interview somewhere else and when they ask you why you "want to leave a company like IBM" (because they will ask you), tell them that you have more to offer than IBM was willing to let you provide. Tell them that you want to be a leader and that you want to be with a company that is growing, not one that is in neutral/shrinking. They will respect that and should see that you are genuine and ambitious. Good luck regardless of your choice, but keep the faith. Hard workers who have a brain will always find a way to get where they need to be. You just can't give up based on one company's inability to provide you an opportunity right now.

The old rule of thumb was that you needed to be working at the higher level for a year before being considered for promotion. That's assuming there's funding or business need for someone in the next band.

As implied by @Sb8bsqf-zcy, there haven't been many promotions for a while it seems.

If you're inclined to stay with you current FLM, it may be worth asking what their promotion criteria are and what you can be working on. Maybe there's another opportunity in your area (check GOM) that excite you.

My first thought was "Wow - you managed to get a promotion in the last 5 years...lucky!" Unless you are not long for the company, it's probably best to let it go, because you wont get anywhere except onto a list.

You're not serious about going to HR with a "I didn't get promoted even though I deserved it" story, right?

Why don't you figure out the odds yourself?