Stories from Fellow Employees
Selected excerpts from e-mail we've received*

Updated 09/07/02

• I really do not know where to start my story regarding my recent entry into the category of being "layed-off" by IBM after 29 years of service. The ".. human resource action and skill rebalancing..", which IBM initiated under the SVRG Action Plan on May 22nd, came as no surprise, considering my age and the circumstances many of us write about. Nevertheless, I have read some of the "stories" posted here and while I sympathize and can relate to the mixed feelings one experiences after being separated from IBM, I can only wonder if Lou Gerstner was right when he said that IBMers have somewhat become complacent over the years. Can it be that we are partially guilty for not taking more decisive actions to fend off what is and has been happening to so many of us and to our lost colleagues over the past years?
  
  When the first layoffs occurred back in 1994, many of us (if we are honest), who survived, simply wiped our brows and felt relieved about not being "selected" . Emotions ran high then and still do, but I feel that we are somewhat to blame for not taking a more active role to protect all of our positions, wherever they are with IBM , be it in the factory, field, administration or development.
  
  I personally am somewhat responsible for not taking such a activist role. I should have tried to make the majority of us formulate a stronger voice, whether it is though a union organization such as the Alliance or simply standing up as one voice, like Norma Jean Ray did against management. We cannot and will not be able to turn the tide of these corporate directives, if we, the majority within the IBM working class, do not stop waiting for the next person to take up the cause. We have become our worst enemy, because we fail to mass together in solidarity.
  
  The stories are interesting reading on this site, but that is where it will end, simply past stories of disgruntled employees. What one must do is to take a stand for all workers in all corporations. And just maybe we can make a difference for our children's future, who most likely will also be employed and have to struggle for security and prosperity. I hope I can seize the strength and possibly become this century's Norma Jean Ray story, and not sit back and simply watch from the sidelines, complaining about what corporate America did.

• One employee's story: "It can happen to you, why every employee needs a union", and "IBM CEO Knowingly Endangers Lives -- Fires Whistleblower"

• I had always been somewhat hesitant in embracing Unions, however, in light of the job actions of IBM, some of the ludicrous "demands" made by management (for example... we've always been told to claim our hours accurately, but were also told that if we continued to claim more than 46 hours per week, that it would result in additional people being let go in our department. Of course the concerns were raised that the work wouldn't be completed if we didn't work over the "magic" 46 hour figure, resulting in us missing PBC goals...etc..etc).... I can now see where a Union is not all that bad of a thing. I'm in my early 50's, and yes, I'm very fearful that I will be targeted as an employee to eliminate.....IBM is quickly becoming a more frustrating place to work. Because of this, I have decided to join Alliance@IBM/CWA.
  

• My story is a little different than others you read here. I too was notified on May 24 of my pending layoff, but I was given a 4-day extension to May 28 as I had two internal interviews that could not be scheduled until the 24th. I took both those interviews and on May 24th accepted one of those assignments. I thought all was well until the May 27th when suddenly access to internal systems started to be restricted. Over the holiday weekend I lost access to most other network resources until ten days later Notes was finally cancelled.
  
  From May 25th, when I received word that my transfer had been begun, to July 11th, I thought all was well with the world as I had a new job within IBM. I was told (in writing) that verbal approvals had been given, that only the formal paperwork had to be completed. As each day passed I became more concerned that I had not received the okay to report to the job location. On July 11 the world came to an end. I made a call to the Project Exec that had hired me, who over the two weeks since May 24 when I accepted the job reassured me that everything was progressing. I learned that the job had gone south. I was reassured again that the severance package would be made available to me, but my only response to this was; "I had a job offer from IBM, doesn't IBM stand behind its word?” What of the two weeks I waited to be told I had no job, I was told it was too bad but the best I could be reimbursed for was until May 28. It would be too much work to push for a July 11, or July 17 (when I signed the package) termination date.
  
  For those who wonder what a lawyer would say about this, I did consult one. The answer ended up in a newspaper column in the July 22nd Waterbury Republican (CT) newspaper where it was explained that even though you may have a real good wrongful dismissal case against your former employer, you must have deep pockets to wage a long battle with a major corporation. I signed the package like many of us, out of desperation to keep food on the table. The end result: I got my severance, but my son has lost out on college for this year because he cannot qualify for a loan being that I am unemployed.

• After almost 25 years of loyal service and a consistant 2 performance throughout a career that spanned Manufacturing, Process & Equipment Engineering I was booted out. Our department was disbanded after almost 9 years of service. Only 2 guys in the department were transfered to another part of our function. These two guys were mostly 3 performers throughout the time I worked with them. But, they were the managers' pets and it was well known throughout our department. So, you can take it from there. I'm interested in joining the Alliance because I might be able to contribute in helping others keep their jobs in the future. IBM has become a joke and 'Ole Tom must be rolling in his grave.........

• I was laid off, at the age of 57, after 24.5 years, on June 24. Don't fret for me, I've found a much better job outside of IBM. Anyway, I had two "3"s performance ratings. The managers who gave me these "3"s told me that it was an "automatic" rating because my sales unit did not make quota. I was not to "take the rating personally" and my many contributions to the business were still noted. I did not miss my personal quota because I did not have one -- I was in a sales support role. Like a sheepish and loyal employee, I did not protest these ratings.
  
  In my "30 days to find another job," I found two (through the grapevine, not through Jobpost) for which I was highly qualified. I did not get the first because "there was no headcount" at the moment, and I did not get the second because "it was a newly formed unit and they did not exactly know what they needed." Less than a month after leaving IBM, I learned that the first job had been given to a 4-year IBMer, a junior clone of me, whose mentor I had been, and the second job was filled by someone from outside the company.
  
  
• I am 46. I was laid off. Right off the bat I can think of two less skilled colleagues that were spared. They are in their 30's. I was told that my skills had been surplussed. Just under three weeks after I was informed, I spotted a job posting from a large contracting house that IBM uses. The posting indicates a need for five long term contractors. There is enough detail in the posting to make it clear that this was posted by my first or second line organization. Also, a former colleague verified that there was an interest in hiring contractors.
  
  Maybe I would be hired as a contractor. Maybe an attractive arrangement could ensue. But it doesn't smell quite right.

• I too, am in the over 40 (46 to be exact) crowd. After working for IBM for nine years and finally getting the promotion I've been asking for, wihin eight months I get laid off.
  
  If you are affected by their "resource action" it will be very hard to get another position within IBM. THEY WILL AVOID YOU WORST THAN AIDS, CANCER AND THE WEST NILE VIRUS COMBINED! Don't believe the hype!
  
  I asked at least twice was it based on performance and was told it was not, but was based on the band level of my pay. The funny part was I just got promoted to this band level. Then I go to the local DBM office and noticed I wasn't the only one in the mature age crowd. I knew then something just wasn't right.
  
  If IBM and other companies need to cut back on resources in a tight economy, they should start from the top down instead of the bottom up.
  
  We should not be punished for corporate mis-management, glutton, improper forcasting and any other inventive ways to line their pockets while emptying ours.
  
  Corporations JUST DON'T GET IT. Their are many reasons to keep established, knowledgeable workers than to hire newbies that are ready to jump ship to get that extra dollar somewhere else.
  
  MY FORCAST: In a year or two IBM will hire contract workers to file these positions. Look at their past trends.

Updated 07/14/02

• I was hired by IBM in September 2000 after I got my MSEE in a top engineering school. Half a year later, in May 2001, I got 14% salary raise due to my outstanding performance. Then IBM sponsored my part-time Ph.D. in an ivy-league university. I passed the doctoral qualifying exam this January. By any means, I consider my experience in IBM a story of success. I was laid off in the June-4th-1500-cut event that IBM admitted publicly. I see people in their 50's submitted their story here, in which you can find IBM purposedly lay-off old people to save pension cost. IBM is definitely not a good place for old people, not one for young people like me any more either!

• I can't understand how we grow up our entire lifes being told legends of careers, and financial freedom only to be struck down in our prime. I started with IBM in 2000, and have maintained a 2 performance rating. I was selected for what they call the IMSR.
  
  I feel companies today do not care about the little guy, or the general working attitudes, and conditions. Seem that today CEO's, and CFO's can see nothing but their own salaries and vested annuities. Most every large corporation looks at employees as expendable, ignoring the facts. Training a new employee can cost anywhere from $5000 to $15000. A lot of the jobs recently cut will have to be rehired to keep operations going. It seems to me that the re-training costs alone would have made me set back and question the best way to provide new revenue.
  
  The other thing I cannot understand is after being layed off co-workers I have been with since I started working for IBM, treated me like I was diseased. It is bad enoough what we are going through already without being cast out like a bad case of the flu.
  
  I have laid awake many nights questioning about business ethics, and morale only to come to the realization "they no longer exist in America".
  
  My heart goes out to the rest of you who were cut only to make numbers, and hope that we can all find employment before out pitiful excuse for severance runs dry.
  
  
• On June 4th, 2002, I was told that IMD was restructuring and that I was part of the reduction in the workforce. My last day is July 9th. I was told I had to turn in my badge on June 6th as they did not want me in the office. I could not stay because the 1000+ employees in Burlington were not staying in the office either. No exceptions for me.
  
  I have 25.5 years of service and under 50 years of age. Some of us seem to think that since I was remotely located from my manager, that I was a target. I think it was because I had 25 years of service.

  I hope I make the right decision about my pension plan, but I feel good about being in an area with lots of companies in the industry. Good luck to everyone affected.

• Business 101 - Anyone can make a business appear successful on paper and make a short term gains, just cut marketing and development (lifeline of the business) and sell off assets. Sound familiar? This is exactly what Lou and Sam and the controlling (non-IBM) stock holders have done. The are treating IBM like a trust fund and slowly cashing in thier benefits while cutting employees to make 'profits'... Look at Sony for benchmark on how to Grow a large business - Look at IBM for a benchmark on stock holders greed... the company is dying and if you have left - feel fortunate, if you haven't, it's time to evaluate your options.
  

• May 7, 2001 I was hired as a professional hire into ITS. June 17, 2002 while employed on a major internal consulting project I was told "my services were no longer required." I'm in my late 40's, and prior to working with IBM worked as a freelance consultant. Now I will return to freelance activity, never to consider employment with a major corporation again. I know of 4 others from my area who were also released.I also met 2 who had been released from BIS. I received a package but that doesn't lessen the shock of being asked to leave, without explanation.

• I won't go into this much but I was a 1 and 2 performer same as everyone else. Let's just say WE ALL KNOW that performance isn't the reason. I was in a meeting with some of the people that were let go. Let's also say that 99% were over 40. I have no idea why I was let go. I talk to my management when they told me I was being let go and he said one thing. I had a meeting with him again and he said something completely different. What I can’t understand is why my department would hire in four new people within the last year, all with the same skills as I have or less, and now I get cut. Two of those four came to the department in the last several months ( I think these people lost there jobs and were being placed in my Dept. ). I also don’t understand why my management team told me they knew what my skills were, yet they neglected to give me projects that I was capable of doing. These projects went to the new hires. The people they brought in were assigned work and projects that I could do. I even asked my management team a few months before they told me and asked if I was being setup. My reasons were that nothing new was being sent me for work. There were 3 of us cut in my dept. All over 40.

• Comments : I have been an IBM employee for twenty years and my husband has been an IBM employee for twenty-two years. We met at IBM many years ago, and we have two young children to support. My husband received a call on May 23 informing him of his layoff. After a stressful
  weekend dealing with this news, I received a call from my manager on May 29 informing me of my layoff. Appeals to the project office and to Sam Palmisano's office to save one of our jobs were unheeded, unanswered. We were each given thirty days to find another job within IBM; NO help, NO
  compassion from management.

  On June 21, one week before our layoff date, my husband was informed that he beat out all of the other applicants for a transfer to one of the rare jobs available in another division. He was called and offered the job, which he accepted, and he was given a start date of July 1. We celebrated all weekend! Then on June 28, the day that I was to be separated, my
  husband was informed via an early morning email from his "new" manager that the transfer did not go through because the cost savings from the layoffs had to be realized, and he was going to be separated after all. He was separated at 9:00 am Friday, I was separated at 3:00 pm on the same day. All that my manager said to me, after twenty years of my life dedicated to the company, was "Thank you for coming."

• I was a "participant" in the LSWR (Lotus Software Resouce Action), laid off as of 4/5/2002. 100 people were laid off at this time, and I have noticed that this "action" doesn't seem to have been reported on your site. It affected people in Cambridge and Westford, MA;Portsmouth, NH; and Wayne, PA offices. I had 5.5 years of service with IBM/Lotus, and also was told I was let go due to the outcome of a skills assessment procedure. I was the most tenured person in my group, a team leader twice, and had also been previously hand-picked by my director to try a newly created position several years ago. When I pressed management for details on what skills I supposedly lacked, I didn't get any real answer, except that it wasn't my hard skills, but areas like "leadership" and "project management". Other laid off folks got this same story...I did also begin receiving a "3" rating last year for the first time, after always rating "2" in all previous years. Also, we had 30 days to find a job option, and I interviewed 4 times, but with no luck. A quick review of the "participants" from my "action" indicate an average age in the 40's range.

• : I am 59 years old. I have worked for IBM since 1965. I have always done more than my share of work. Most of my career I have been rated a "2" on my annual appraisal. In 2001 my manager rated me a "3" because of invalid customer complaints. Then in 5/2002 was only one laid off from IBM. My manager has no idea of how we are doing our job. We can "doctor" our reports to make it look like we are going great. In reality, most of the workers in my area do as little as possible, and try to get others to do their job. So managers look at reports and think everything is fine. Machines don't get fixed until someone who cares fixes their problems on late/weekend coverage. These problems have been brought to the attention of my manager only hear that "what you see is what you get and I don't plan to make any changes". My manager is probably 70-75 years old and doesn't want to do anything that creates work or headaches. He might know how to manage, but he definitely doesn't know what's going on in the field!

• Well things just ain't the same here in Greenock, Scotland, as you must have heard by now it's the same all over.I feel for the older ones in here, they have so much to lose and yet so do the younger ones, but lou has it all fixed his way as we all can see there must have been a big board meeting a while back with all the directors of each plant and so on and they have been to to cut back in every way possible. As many people have said here, it is not the same company we started working for so many years ago and that is why people like you and I and so many others have voiced our opinion on here. I still work at ibm but for how long I ask myself; I also have a big mortgage and a loan to pay but if it happens it happens what can I do ... we the workers will not have any of what the executives have, and will hopefully live to have a wonderfull life and a healthly one as well god bless all of you and live life as you mean to. A friend in Scotland. God save us.

• I was told I was laid off on May 29 from IGS in Lexington, Kentucky. I am 45 years old and had 23 years of dedicated service with IBM. I was rated a 2, had recently received a raise, and was NOT on the bench. It appears the selection process in Lexington was totally random and political

• I was laid off after 19 years with IBM last Nov. I am an engineer and came from a top ranked university. My manager wasn't an engineer and had no idea what our department was doing. He laid me off because my wife had a good job and he felt I didn't need the money! I got a great job with a new company which is a competitor of IBM's and I didn't have to move! The funny thing too is IBM trained me and gave me an additional $2500 to improve my skills with the competitor
  company. I realize now that IBM's management really sucks.That's the problem with the company. Notice how IBM is selling off pieces of the company now? Hopefully IBM management will stop blaming their employees for their problems.

Updated 06/16/02

• I was laid off in March 1993 at age 48 along with thousands others in Poughkeepsie, mainframe engineering. My story is the same as many of those you have read here. 19 months later I found a great job and have been there nearly 8 years. I belong to the company union and I love being a union member. Don’t lose hope. Just don’t give up trying as so many of my fellow beemers did. For those of you still at IBM, if you don’t unionize you will be writing your sad tale here someday. Don’t believe your manager that you are safe, we all heard that bull, too. There are 3 reasons people don’t unionize: disbelief that the union will help you, fear that there will be reprisals, don’t want to pay dues. Three very stupid reasons to give up what is your only hope.

• I have 24 years and 7 months with IBM. I have never been rated lower that a 2. Less than 2 years ago, IBM offered (and I accepted), stock options as incentive to remain with the company because they believed I could positively effect profit. I am a 47 year old, widowed mother of 2 teenage daughters who had hoped to reach 'The Quarter Century Club' when I could possibly bridge to retirement benefits and then work elsewhere until I reached full retirement. I've worked all my life for this goal, and it's ripped away from me with no better excuse that I was in the wrong place at the wrong time. My chances for finding another position within this company are very dim. Everyone within IBM is so afraid about losing their own jobs that the inside network is almost useless. This is just one of the ways that these layoffs affect those who are left behind. It breaks comraderie and teamwork and morale. IBM job listings are a farce. 80% of the jobs listed are already filled and have been posted as a point of procedure. It's sad that this company treats its faithful employees this way. I might as well go work for any other company...there's nothing special about working for IBM anymore.

• I was once very loyal and loved working for a company that had “respect for the individual,” development plans, and employee opinion surveys. That company no longer exists.

• I was given the layoff package on May 23, 2002. I have been very busy since then dealing with benefits issues, calling the IBM hotlines, taking the DBM class, and updating my resume. I have located the ibm pension forum on yahoo and have joined the Alliance@IBM to keep up with current events. I am still very confused about what choices to make, what to sign, and where to find another job. It seems I couldn't have been fired at a worse time as far as getting another job is concerned. On a positive note, I am thankful for the groups of IBMers on Yahoo and the Alliance@IBM for providing information and support during these diificult times.

• This is the 3rd time I have been selected. First time in Endicott, rehired and worked Burlington 7 years. Selected in Nov 2001. Hired back to Fishkill with M&L to move to Fishkill. Just bought a house after 6 months on the job and they let me go. My manager knew I was buying a house a month ago and he didn't say a word. This move has cost me my life savings, 6 months of family seperation as my wife was moving down this weekend, my daughter has to go for counseling because of seperation my family went though. All IBM can say is I'm sorry, and my manager's comment that I can't even imagine what you are going through. I've been a 2 performer most of my 19 year IBM career. Forced to take a band 5 to band 4 job to keep my job in Jan. IBM doesn't have any feeling or respect for it's loyal employees.

• My employment was terminated at IBM today after
  24+ years. I am currently 49 years old. Actually I'm am quite glad that I was one of those selected. I have not been happy or satisfied working for I.B.M. since Gertsner took over the helm. He has turned a once great company into a shell of it's former self. People praise him for what? Gutting a once proud company & eliminating employee benefits & trust. What has he actually done for IBM other than cut cost thru screwing the people that made up this once great company. I am glad I am no longer a part of this sham. I am a paying member of the union since I strongly agreed we need a collective voice in dealing with these con artists. I think it's time people wake up to the fact that if we as the people do not unite soon we will become a part of a new third world country called the United States as all of our jobs are expedited to ASIA.

• I am an I/T professional with 17 years of experience.
  3 years ago I, along with many other people, was outsourced to IBM from AT&T. On May 9, I was laid off by IBM.

  Despite company assurances that we would be given training and the opportunity to look for jobs elsewhere within IBM after our jobs were "offshored" to Canada and India to save money; these opportunities never materialized. We were lied to by IBM. During the time we were employees, we never felt like we were a real part of the company.
  
  I am 48 years old and considering filing an EEOC complaint.

• I was laid off after only 11 months in my new position. I was told that the decision of who to lay off was based upon skill set and performance.
  
  Funny, but within my area (and many other IBM areas) new employees automatically receive a 3 rating for the first rating. However, I received a 2 due to my "excellent" performance.
  Gee, isn't it funny how the story changes so quickly. By the way, my area was just loaded up with a half dozen or more co-ops for the summer.

• I have 19 years with IBM and was told by my manager on May 23, 2002 that I am being permently layed off by IBM on June 24, 2002. I read more in the newspapers than management shared with a employee of 19 years. There has been absolutely no assistance from my manager at all in trying to find me another position with in IBM. I have found and applied for several, only to be told I am not in the correct division and although my skills matched to the job they could not interview me. IBM has lost all that it once stood for and
  soon they will find that out as the great employees leave and go work for the competition and attack IBM at the weakest points. Someone should have thought about alternative plans such as having the entire 300,000 people who work for IBM take a week of vacation with no pay and have the executives not take their bonus's. I am sorry to be leaving and happy that this big bully will not be able to pull my chain anymore.

• On Thursday, May 23, 2002, I was informed by my second line manager that I had been selected for permanent layoff. I am a 46 year old with nearly 24 years of service, and a consistent 2 performer. This was a complete shock to myself and my colleagues, and the reason I was given for selection was my skills were not in line with the future of my organization or the IBM Corporation. This makes no sense as I was a dedicated and loyal employee, an engineer by degree, and IBM had much invested in me. The selection process was handled by the second line and her manager, and this surprised me since the immediate manager had no input into the process.
  
  I received the hardcopy "package" with all the details and summary of titles/ages of those selected/not-selected. A quick analysis shows that a total of 750 people were selected for layoff, and the average age of those selected was almost 44.
  
  I was initially hopeful of landing another job within IBM, but have discovered that virtually no one is in a hiring position (until after July). Convenient timing.
  
  That is my tale of woe. It is absolutely clear that the old principal of respect for the individual has fallen way off the chart. Besides the anger and humiliation I feel, it is also quite sad that my career could end in such a manner.

• I was selected for permanent disposal after 5+ years of service. Just like many others, I wasn't told why I was let go. After reviewing many options on why, I noticed the age group sheet of the selected and the non-selected, it is apparent to me that an age discrimination thought process was in effect. Most of the NewHire techs. are still there, that I trained. Good Luck.
  

From 05/30/02 and earlier:

• At least 10% of IBM's safety and nursing staff in the US was laid off last week. Earlier in the year many safety and medical contracts were let go. Those of us in the profession used to know that we were part of a company that would do the right
  things to protect it's people. I don't believe that anymore. Physician's make up most of the occupational health services organization's management team. None of those high priced doctors were let go. Just the folks who do the real work.
• After reading a few postings here, and talking to a couple of my former co-workers. I feel that some of us were chosen due to our past medical history. I developed cancer several years back.
• Justice won't be served within our life time, but we have to keep on going. With resources actions taking place all over the United States in almost every division, IBM will continue PACA ( people asset cutting actions) for a long time. As a person with an ADA handicap working within IBM human resources its unfortunate that my handicap was recognized but never acted upon. IBM HR (human resources) group represents smart human beings working for a average computer company now .IBM has always indicated that its people were its greatest resource. However, that resource is ourselves not owned and/or manipulated by a higher power. To my layoff employees, of which I am one, continue to strive for nothing but the best from yourself.

• As the most senior and experienced member of my [unspecified] team in SWG (and team lead, no less), I was given the boot last week after 5.5 years of service, plus 2 prior contract years. Get this -- I was rated a '1' for two years prior to this past year, then dropped to a '3' (new manager, bad manager -- [s]he gave nearly all of us 3's "because her boss told him/her to..." -- whatever). So much for my hard work and years of dedication. I learned a lot, but much of what I learned is how to watch my back. I've been planning on this for 9 months, so at least it wasn't a surprise. But letting us all go just a week before we would have been eligible for 1/2 year's worth of variable pay -- well, that's a load of sh!t. I may not make as much at my next job, but hallelujah, at least I'll be able to use my skills for something better than guarding the corpse.

Updated 05/29/02

• I have been given notice that I was chosen for ‘permanent layoff’ on 05/24/2002 from SSG in San Jose, CA. My job position was Associate Programmer, job family 2A. I am sole support for my household and have a son with Down Syndrome.
  I am currently 43 years 9 months of age, with 21 years 5 months of service to IBM. I have been given 30 days to find a job inside IBM or my employment will permanently end on 06/24/2002. I have to tell you all that I had wanted to complete 25 years of service for what most people will find a silly reason, upon completion of that term of service my church gives a Bible with your name embossed on the cover as well as helping my pension.I liked the people I worked with and had good rapport with most all of them, much like a second family. I had ratings of 2 for the last three years, a 3 for one year (at job family change) a 1 for five years and then I had maintained a solid 2 rating for most of the rest of my tenure at IBM.
  Even with only twenty-one years of service I can definitely tell you that the IBM of today is not the company I joined in 1980. It is so changed for the worst that they should be forced to change the name.Anyone with similar years or more can attest to this fact, this is not just sour grapes, I truly did respect IBM at one time and did feel I was (to steal a phrase from the US Marines) One of the few, the proud, the IBMer’s. That feeling changed just about the time John Akers took over. Then came King LVG, I thought he was a ax-man when he started then he looked to be doing well…But then he jumps ship amid rumors about questionable bookkeeping and earnings reporting, he jumped just like a rat jumping from a sinking ship, turns out I was right about King LVG. (This is my own personal opinion) I really do not think I will waste much time looking inside IBM for a job, really how much time will it buy? I feel like I have been sent to death row and walked to the chamber, screw IBM I want nothing more to do with it, I do not want to go back just to take the same walk again.
  I knew even if I had worked at IBM, 25 or 30 years I would have to work at another job due to my age, looks like I will start my second career sooner then later.
  I am off to attain my Cisco CCNA certification, being able to do the work, saying you can do the work is nothing next to having the certification. IBM will pick-up $2,5000 of the tab for a boot camp style class, I start on June 17 and take the certification test on June 23, 2002.
  
  I urge all persons in my position to use the retraining money.
  I also was a strong proponent of the Union when IBM tried to rob our pension plan, but most people did not want it, because IBM fixed it and gave us a choice for cash balance or the old plan. Get your head screwed on straight, they are just doing it a different way by terminating the 20 year of service 40 or so age group, with just enough younger people mixed in to save them from an age discrimination law suit.
  If the kids left at IBM do not figure this out they are heading towards IBM screwing them too, but that is no longer my problem.
  I personally knew 4 other people same general age, time of service that I started with and knew for 20 + years that were axed and many others that I had known for a decade or more too.
  To all my former coworkers, keep your head up, things will work out for the better, don’t let the bastards get you down.
  Remember another person can only stop you temporally, only you can stop yourself permanently.
  Good job hunting to you.
  Go out and live well.

• I was in California when my manager contacted via Sametime and asked me to call. When I called, I was informed that I was being laid off and my last day would be June 28th. Lovely, since I'm now 3000 miles from home and have to tell my wife and 4 kids that I've been laid off. Not my first line manager's fault, but those above her - they should get chance to feel this way someday.

• 5.5 years straight 2's and the largest raise ever. I won the prize! I was selected to participate in the employee resource action. Newspaper said 150, looking through the paperwork it looks like more than that. No management that I know of... (from Rochester MN)

• Today in Rochester the I-series Support Center lost several employees. Our particular group had 8 IBM employees and several vendors. There were 3 women on our team and all 3 were cut. We were given various reasons. So far what we have seen and heard is that most of the cuts on Support Line have been women. There were either a lot less men or they are not talking.

• I was let go today for the second time. First in 1993 and now again.I asked how many people were being let go and told by my manager that he couldn't tell me. How do I know if they should be applying the WARN act? They told me that I have 30 days to find another job with in IBM. I was also told that the others areas aren't able to bring anyone in. That my manager had tryed to make some phone calls with no luck. Suggested getting with Drake Beam & Moorin first thing because there would be more to come.

• According to my paperwork, SWG laid off 700 people yesterday, yet no mention in the press. I was selected for layoff despite my 2 PBC rating and very favorable performance reviews. I believe I was chosen for lay off because I have recently developed a heart condition and I was working 1/2 time on Sickness & Accident leave. In other words, I was costing IBM a lot of money and wasn't bringing much in. None of the 4 new hires in my department got laid off. I had 3 years of experience and am 28 years old.

• 8 of 12 in my department were cut. I have 21 years of service with 4 years to retirement (had planned to retire at 55 with 25 years of service - currently 51). (from Charlotte NC)

• Laid off May 23 despite being the most senior non-management person in my department in my role. (Though it's such a young department I've only been with the company since October 2000, and I'm younger than some of my co-workers). Another person in my team, and at least two others on my floor were laid off as well.

Updated 03/10/02

• From an Advisory Engineer in RTP: "I was given a package and told that I had 30 days to find another position inside IBM or be laid off on 2-22-2002. I had 23 years and am 45 years old. According to the package, 326 people received the same package/layoff notification. Very few found other jobs based on the people I talked to at the career center."

• From an IT Specialist in New York: "I was part of a resource action in the Printing System Division that occured 1/7/02. I was told they did not want to fund my job anymore. I was giving 30 days to find a job, which was unsuccessful. I am 48 years old with 27.7 years of dedicated service. I will loose 50% of my pension and all medical."

• I worked for Sequent for a year before IBM bought them out at the Beaverton Campus. IBM started to put the pressure on our group, our managers actually told us if we didn't take another queue, our group would be let go. We had 1 week to learn a new operating system, and applications, etc. We barely had time to even pick up a book before we were forced to take support calls on a product we knew nothing about. I was promised a raise, promotion etc if I would take these new calls, they used our group until they were done with us. We suffered for 6 months barely treading water, with promises that everything would get better and we'd all get raises if we just hung in there. What we got was laid off, they came in and cut our team in half. My boss wouldn't even look me in the face when he let me go. He knew he had lied to us to get us to take these calls until they were ready to let us go. IBM came in and ruined a good thing. IBM sucks big time.

• From a CE in Texas: I was forced to "accept a package" due to being in a customer's office, when one of THEIR employees staged an accident, and attempted to sue both IBM and myself. I defended IBM to the last letter. We won, and the claimant took nothing, as well as perjuring herself. IBM didn't care even slightly. I am fortunate to have made the move to a CWA company. I'm glad to have realized it wasn't going to turn around at IBM. Support your CWA activists!!!

• I was 'selected' on 10/2/01 with a final date of 11/02/01. I was paged out of a kick-off meeting for a contract with a company that IBM has been trying to get BIS services with for a number of years. I had 4yrs, 4 months of service, always a '1' or '2' and recently certified and promoted. I am 45 years old and was two months from vesting in the pension account. I offered to give back my severance payment if they would vest me in the PPA. I was told that if they did that for me, they would have to do it for other people. They should do that for all people in that situation. I was told that I would receive 10/12 of my January bonus. Of course nothing came and they deny ever saying that.
  
  I understand that management that made terrible re-organization decisions in 2000 that cost us business are now being demoted to principal level. I guess it really is who you know.
  
  What I do not understand is that we will all be customers in one form or another some day. I guess they feel that they have enough of the market.

• I am 50 years old with over 27 years with the company. I was shocked on November 28, 2001 when I learned I was to be laid off. I am a consistent '2' performer with revenue numbers among the highest in the country. I have no doubt that this was part of IBM's policy of reducing employees on the traditional retirement program to inflate their earnings. After not being able to find a job right away, I signed the covenant not to sue. This gave me 6 months pay and benefits. I gave up 40% of my pension and all of my lifetime health benefits. Pretty rotten deal after spending your whole career at a company!

• IF IBM EMPLOYES DON'T JOIN THE UNION AND ORGANIZE THEY WILL NOT HAVE ANYTHING LEFT--I HATE TO SAY IT BUT **REMEMBER ENRON YOU IBMERS!!!**

• I am 27 year old female, I was with IBM for 2 and half years as an Information Technology Specialist. I was affected by the resource action in November. I was hired right out of college with a degree in Computer Information Systems. I have all the current skills like Visual Age Java and Oracle. I was even promoted this year from a band 6 to a 7. I have gotten 2's and have not been on the bench once with a 98% utilization! Does this make sense?

• I was laid off with about 250 other people in IGS (The ITS group) on November 30 with just over 28 years of service .....:-(. I know that the BIS organization had a similar layoff the month before, and a friend in Sales and Distribution is retiring this month due to an S&D reduction in January 2002.

• "BIS is having another round of resource actions and I have until Feb. 28 to find another position outside of BIS. Will you run a story? Why does the mainstream media never run a story when IBM has resource actions? They write stories when other companies lay off people. Please write a story about how many are affected."

We'd love to have a story to tell with all the layoff numbers. Unfortunately, IBM will not provide them and they are not legally required to provide them unless they come under the federal WARN act, which IBM has carefully avoided this year by spreading out the layoffs over time and geography. We can only publish what employees send us, so PLEASE send us a copy of your layoff package, which contain at least some of the official numbers.

• I received my layoff package. I count 470 BIS employees being laid off. BIS East(81), BIS Cent(32), BIS West(22), BIS MI Sell & Supply(74), BIS MI Buy & Supply(19), BIS MI Enterprise Resource(104), BIS MI e-Business
  Integration(24), BIS Communications Sector(20), BIS Public Sector(10), BIS Financial Sector(19), BIS Distribution Sector(21), BIS Industrial Sector(29), BIS MI Middle Market(4), BIS Professional Development(2), BIS Strategy &
  Change(9)
  

From 01/27/01:

• Resource action announced 01/26/02 in CSO locations: Atlanta MA & OE, Dallas SW & HW, and A/R locations across U.S. All employees called in by Mgr. and those "chosen" are given 30 days. Heard even Mgt. could be affected.

• My manager advised I was selected for latest layoff program, presented hard copy package, and stated that last day of employement would be 2/7/02. Response reason and selection process decision was "skills do not match job". "This is not performance based". When I discussed a 1/7/02 meeting with my manager whereby I was advised that my job skills and sales activities were satisfactory and I was performing as expected and asked how things changed in 24 hours, no response was given. On 1/9/02 I received recognition and a monetary bonus award for strategic business closed in 4Q 2001. I am 49 years old with 19.5 years of exemplary sales service and performance at IBM. My sales colleagues are shocked, and are most fearful that they will most likely be the next victims of these artibrary layoff actions. Although I was afforded a pension choice, I am most angered by management betrayal, and being denied full retirement and health benefits in 5 years and 5 months when I would reach age 55 with 25 years service.

• Even though I was ranked a 1 and given glowing PBC reviews I was canned by IBM on November 2, 2002. I was a certified BIS consultant and have the worthless plaque and paper from none other than Michael Albreacht to prove it.
  I worked at IBM for 3 years and was 48 when dismissed.

• From a Burlington employee: "From my perspective the layoff was brutal and showed that we are well past even the "old" IBM, then past a mid-colder IBM to a brutally cold and non-caring IBM. In my dept 2 people got the axe, one guy with a PhD, and another engineer; both had about 15 months on the job. I think the company now has a measurement that says if a new hire cannot cut it in the 1st year they are out on the 1st layoff, use it as a culling excuse. The suprising thing was that today, 1 week after the layoff, my manager who laid them off is interviewing other internal people to fill "newly" defined postions.
  
  Also notice that there was no general buyout offer this time, but the managers picking and choosing the victims.
  
  Also note that those laid off are gone unless they find a position here in BTV, FAT chance. Now if they do not find a job in the 30 days WILL they be rehired on the upcycle of business? I don't think so. They are dead meat as far as IBM is concerned, we go through the motions but they do not have a chance at rehire.
  
  Were these people told this on hiring? No way. We
  hired people to meet headcount quotas a year ago, paid bonuses ($5k/engineer) and now we are firing them.
  
  Everyone at work feels that this is only the first round and more layoffs are imminent.
  

From 01/06/01:

• Not gone yet but you should see what is happening at IBM Canada this week. Tons of staff are being told to find a job by the end of January or good bye. Seems to be in all areas. No press release spotted at this time. And we thought that 2001 was a very disfunctional year, what a beginning to 2002. In general you get the feeling that no one cares or can see what is happening to a company that once was the pride division of the company. Executives seem very scared to say anything to their US counterparts or bosses.

• I am 53 years old, and had 27 years with IBM on July 1. I was laid off as part of a resouce action on Dec. 3, 2001. I was told I didn't have the skills they needed. I was the highest paid employee in my area, a consistent 2 performer.

• I am 48 years old and I was with IBM for 25 years mostly in East Fishkill. I was told that my skill level was no longer needed even though my experience far outweighed the newer engineers in my department. I was pretty much given 30 minutes to turn in my badge and pager and I would be escorted out the door. We are also finding out that we are not allowed back in even though several of the laid off, I mean fired, have had interviews.

• I was laid off July, 2000 from IBM Global Services. The company stated it was due to skills, but it was who they wanted to keep...I was at the time 44. It has been 17 months
  and I am still looking for a job. I have gone back to school for a Web Design certification. Its not the fact they laid me off, it was disappointing that they did not think I could do another job within IBM.

• I worked in MD in Endicott, for 8 years in the same dept, working both days each weekend for a year & a half, always got excellent reviews, took on extra responsibilities when asked. Still keep in touch with workers in dept. Right now they are so busy they don't have enough people to get the work out. They are still working both days, 8 hours each weekend
  

• "Laid off" with 24 years, 4 months at age 55. Zero absents since '96 and consistent 2 performer.

• A manager friend of mine told me Monday that he
  had to "lay off" 7 people in his department that day. One guy was 3 years away from retirement.
  
  Today at our department meeting, my manager told us about a college-hire dinner he attended for the software group. There were about 45 students and about 15 IBM SWG managers there. My manager told us that he had a college hire chit. He said he had an open rec and that he had a business reason to fill that rec with a college hire. I
  mentioned the recent Tivoli "lay offs" and asked him if one of these people could apply for his job opening. He said no. Others in my department were very interested in this exchange. One mentioned that IBM layed off people at the sametime they hired college grads. My coworker also said that they deliberately kept the jobs for college hires
  separate. My manager nodded in agreement at that.

• I am 41 yrs old. I had been with IBM for 20 years. On 11/28/01 I was notified that I had been 'selected' for the 'Resorce Action'. It came as a complete surprise to me. I had thought that as long as you 'Met and Exceeded' the requirements, Made significant contributions to the effort,a team player, got along great with everyone, and were always present, that you were considered valuable.
  It's like ice-water in the face! Last year at this time I got the biggest raise I'd seen in years, and a cash award for accomplishment, I've been a solid '2', and occassionally a '1' performer throughout. What the hell happened?

• I just got the big boot. I'm a single mother of two college students. I've been with IBM for 27.5 years. My PBC ratings have all been 2's - even the one I got after being laid off. I've exceeded my utilization quotas. I had a signed contract
  thru the end of this year which meant that once again I would have exceeded my quota. I've worked multiple contracts with the same client, so customer sat is not an issue,,,My billing rate was 4 times my salary + commissions. ...Four of us in this location - I was the closest to making retirement. Sounds fishy...

• Laid Off by IBM after 4 years. Certified in May, told I was being laid off in July due to skills rebalancing which can not be true given the fact that I worked on and managed projects that are in areas that account for 75% of the eastern region's revenues this year. Am 58 years old and am suing for age discrimination. Looking for others who have filed EEOC claims and are suing for age discrimination. (Note: please e-mail us if you'd like to contact this individual)

Stories submitted through November 2001:

• I'm 49 years old with 24 years in the company. This morning my manager called me in and told me I was done. I was the first one let go in my department this morning, so I don't know how many others are gone, but my manager said it was over 400 in Endicott and much worse in Burlington.

• Microelectronics employee, Endicott, 51 yr. old white male 21 yr employee, zero absentism for 20 yrs. constant 2 appraisal for 21 yrs ... in top 2% of overtime worked within the dept.

• I am a 40 year old senior consultant in BIS and just got a layoff phone call from my manager. It was a surprise. My utilization has been 80-90% for the last six years. I have received "exceeds" or "far exceeds" ratings on all of my evaluations. This is the third round of layoffs we have gone through since July. The first two chopped about 20% of my group of 100. Don't know how many have been affected in this "resource action." I have been told that I will receive severance of one week's salary for each six month period I worked at IBM (minimum 8 weeks of severance). But of course I do not receive my check until I sign the "agreement not to sue."

• I think it's time I told you my story, 36 years (55 yr. old) with IBM East Fishkill, started on the line worked my into management... July 8, I received an award for the great work I was doing ... Aug 2, called in told that my performance was not up to IBM standards and I will be terminated in 30 days and if I did not sign the separation package in 28 days it would not be available for me later. Called personnel and was told I better take the package, time to move on. Great company we all work for IBM. I know that there are others being forced out in Fishkill, all 30+ years ... The NEW IBM does what they want to do and what is good for them. It's time to start backing the Alliance. We need someone to back us up as Employee and Retirees. We are going to need help fighting the NEW IBM, they are trying to take all of our benefits away. It's time to Wake UP before we don't have anything.
  

• On December 10, 2001 I would have been starting my 23rd year with IBM, that is not going to happen! I was called in to see my manager on 10/25/01 and was informed that I had 30 days to go and I was being let go. I work for division 48 as an AS400 SSR(CE) Position ...The reasons I was given for my dismissal is simply the fact that I was not making my unrealistic quota of billable hours for the year. The fact that I have a great relationship with my customer set and work well with my peers was not discussed at all! It was all about the numbers! I just can't believe this is happening!

• I have been laid off from IBM Global Services after 18.5 years. My last position was executive consultant acting a principal for the petroleum national practice. I am 48 years old.
  

• I am 43 years old, and have been with IBM for over 21 years. I was told on October 30, 2001 that I will be terminated on November 30, 2001, barring I find another position
  somewhere else in IBM. The only positions I have been
  able to find in the company start in 2002!

  My latest position as a Senior I/T Specialist had me performing more in a Marketing capacity as an Opportunity Manager. I was still expected to bill 75% at IBM's hourly rates,
  which was not realistic. Only one person in our unit was acheiving this utilization, and she was on a full time contract. IBM Business partner rates are much more competitive, and they are the ones selling the hardware/software, so they are also performing the services. The sales model that IBM
  developed for the AS/400 has put me and other IBMers out of a job.

  From 08/12/01:

• I have 20 years with IBM, age 43, a sales specialist that has made my quota every year, a level 2 performer consistantly. I was notified that I have until aug 10th to find something within IBM. No luck. Today is the last day.

• Age 57...17 years with IBM. Let go 8/10 with 30 days
  notice. Every place I looked, hiring managers have
  been told by HR no Headcount until 4th Q. Sales
  unit I was in was ahead of quota through the first
  half as I was in my assigned segment. My main account
  being taken over my a recent college graduate who
  has a lot to learn about the IT business compared
  to my 30 years in it at 3 major companies. Received
  a 2 rating this year, a raise a few months ago, and
  had only a couple of 3s in my career with IBM...other
  ratings higher. Look at the "select" list for
  our Sales and Distribution program. Highlight those
  over 40 and you will see yellow all over the page.
  Why not change the initials of the company to
  something else as those with cultural memories of
  the "old" IBM are driven out of the company.
  

• Last Week a previous manager was fired ...Don't know why for his dismissal,but at appears that older season veterans are being targeted.
  Work Profile:
  - Worked @ IBM E.Fishkill for ~ 23 Years
  - Age aprox.55 Years old.
  - Ongoing 2 performer

• Here in Burlington 300 temps were laid off in manufacturing last month, many before the end of their contracts. We were told this was to counter any addtional cuts to regular employees. Soon rumers started that our AWS premium was being reduced and we were going to a reduced work week, but many managers held special meetings to assure us this would not be happening. Two weeks later our AWS was cut in half and our hours were reduced. Now the rumer is that employees with less than a year of service could be laid off any time and we don't know what to believe. Manufacturing employees are the lowest paid on the site, yet we were the only ones to have our pay and hours cut. Those with the least here are paying the greatest price for the current slowdown in semi-comductor demand.
  

• "Don't know the details, but "job action" just took place in Tivoli. Contractors have been dropping like flies for the last few weeks, but Tuesday a slew of regular employees got the axe."

• From e-mails we've received: ages of employees just laid off in server group: 43, 45, 52, 42, three over 50

• Hi, I just heard that a mechanical designer was laid off. Guess what, he's over 50 years old with 27 years of service. The manager/employee meetings have just started this morning here in Austin, so I'm sure we'll hear more as the day goes on! The Server Group is the division that's supposed to be hit here in Austin, that I know of. I wore black to be compassionate to those that need moral support on this "Black Tuesday".

• "As one of the recently laid-off (July 2) I sincerely hope you organize the entire company into a union. What a rip off the headlines were...Skills Rebalancing, what a joke. Try getting rid of everyone over 50. As a Global Services Consultant I have talked with many newly laid off folks and
  they all are over 50. They told us it was because we weren't selling enough and they told the newspaper is was skills rebalancing. I would love to give you my name but unfortunately the 8 weeks of pay would be ripped away immediately. We must protect Big Blue...heaven forbid the world find out what it's really like to work there! Go get em!"

• "I am 51 and most of the people I know who were laid off are over 50. "

• "In Canada, IGS had a "re-assignment" package which started on April 9th and was to end a month later. About 250 staff were to find new opportunities in other than an "IGS" area. Tough to do! After one month, some staff with 5-20 years service were given a buyout based on service ( max 75 weeks ie. not retirement eligible). A number took the package and others had another month to look for a position. After
  another month, we were told to keep doing our jobs like nothing happened. To add insult to injury, our annual pay reviews were dispersed to all other staff. Net 0. And yes, the majority of the "re-assigned" had gray hair with anywhere from 15-35 years service as well as "1" performers. Age discrimination - no doubt."

• "I am 49 years old and have roughly 19 years total with IBM with consistently good evaluations and steady promotions .....I've known that my job was cut for 6 months, but didn't get official word until July 10th. Tivoli has been hit hard by reorganizing, downsizing and general submersion into IBM. I am not privy to the specific numbers, but it isn't pretty. ......
  
  I've attempted to find another position within IBM during the last 6 months, but in spite of numerous openings posted, hiring within the Software Group was frozen. All of this while still trying to function within my current job, doing the right
  thing by my customers. How can we do our jobs in this sort of environment? The uncertainty was almost worse than the imminent layoff. After six months of staring at that ax, you want it to fall already. .....
  

  What is saddest about this entire mess is that IBM used to be such a wonderful place to work, a place that valued employees and fostered superb management principle and procedure. All of that is gone.
  
  This has been dehumanizing. I was forced out in 1993,
  nearly screwed out of my pension by the cash balance
  fiasco, and now laid off. Enough already!"

• "In June, I was 'thrown over the wall' from a position in which I was the most skilled in the call center to a position where I ended up being the 'least skilled'. On July 12th, I was handed a 'package' with the explanation that I was chosen because I was the least skilled. I have 27+ years with the company, am single and my pension and health benefits are the only thing I have going for me. Now I will lose them all. I am in the process of beginning a series of complex medical procedures (results from the job) which I will not be able to proceed with once terminated on August 13. Without my medical benefits, I will lose my extremeties if I live long enough on what meds I may be able to afford, if I can get medical insurance in a new job. My skills are so intrenched in IBM proprietary products and processes that I will never find an outside job that pays what I now receive. One month is not enough time to find a job in today's environment. All the postings out there are for appearances purposes only (the jobs are already filled before being posted)."
  

• "Rochester - Server Group - A number of people have been called into their manager's office and told that they should be looking for a different job (week of July 9-13). All because of where they are in the ranking. The managers deny that a layoff is coming and stress that this is not a layoff at this time. Apparently they want to reduce their headcount quietly so they can avoid a layoff. ... My manager's been telling me about jobs at the other sites, but when I followup on those, they aren't really there. Looks like I'm going to be living in my car in a few weeks!"

• "Hello, and thank you for your service to those of us who could use some representation. Here at Fishkill, most workers lost the AWS premium. Also, there has been a great deal of shuffling around of workers. Also, lots of confidential meetings of management. I have already begun looking for another job, considering the shakiness of the situation and the low pay for the work"

• "Please let the laid-off folks know that there are people out there who do care about them and their families. They will be in our thoughts and prayers. And I hope they can find new
  positions quickly."

• "First of all, thank you for this web site. Yesterday, I was offered "the package", and have until the 10th of Aug to find another position within the company ... to date have booked over $37M in revenue for the year. I have been given a Top Contributor Award 4 times. Yesterday, I was told that my "skills do not match my band level". I am firm believer in the fact that IBM needs to have an employee union, and to that end will help you in what ever way I can"

• "I'm 45 years old, 15 years of service, I/T architect ...I have 30 days to find another position, but from the inside, like it matters..."

• "Last year I was promoted to band 9, and still received a "1" performance rating. 22 years with IBM. Very experienced web developer with lots of software development experience. I'm contacting everyone I know looking for openings, but there seems to be a hiring freeze everywhere."

• "Age 45, 23 plus years with IBM ...Was a 1 performer the last 2 years and was asked to leave IBM because of my skills, but they left a new hire from 1 year ago on board that I trained."

• "I was laid off on Tuesday after thirteen months with IBM and exemplary performance reviews. I achieved 96% of quota in the first half of 2001 ... I am 42 years old."

• "I've been with IBM for 22+ years and have been rated a 2 for the majority of my career. Last year I was given a Leadership Award and on the path to be promoted to a Band 9 level. The organization that I'm part of now, recruited me and promised to give me my Band 9 level ... Tuesday, July 10th, my mgr. called me in the pm and indicated that I was being layed off. In part, because I was ranked at the bottom because I was
  not meeting the requirements and demands of my new role."

• "My husband was just "layed off" with just 30 day notice after working for IBM for 23 years. They claim they do not need his "skills" anymore. Nothing has changed in the area he works in, he had many contracts going and on the same
  day he was "let go" he received the largest award for closing a contract. His record is great every year winning many awards , 100 percent clubs, golden circle, etc., etc. His skills include hardware, software, managment, and sales. Does IBM not need anyone in those areas anymore or was he let go because he is only 7 years from possible retirement?"

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