The IBM Axe Starts Chopping--Widespread Layoffs Begin

When it was first suggested that IBM was considering mass layoffs, the company was quick to suggest that the allegations were without substance. In a follow-on post, it was suggested that the 100,000+ figure might not come purely from redundancies, but also from accelerated retirements, poor performance reviews and the like.

A website set up by former IBM employees as something of a support site for staff has started to fill up with posts from employees who have received notification of their layoffs. In IBM parlance, many of them are receiving “RA’s” or Resource Actions – but the term is simply a nice way of saying that they’ve been laid off.

Beyond the need for commentators to opine on what is going on in the industry, the site is a chilling testimony to what happens when a massive corporate makes cuts – many lifetime IBM employees would appear to have been let go in arguably impersonal ways. Some examples:

Comment 01/28/15: The cuts have started in the US and are quickly spreading. I received my call this morning. I received a 3 rating for the first time in my entire career. It was completely unfounded with no documentation to substantiate. 18 years with the company and they totally betray and demoralize before they let you go. -Ace-

Comment 01/28/15: RA'd today after 18 1/2 yrs. Last day Feb 27th Recently blind-sided by a 3 rating on PBC. Total fabrication full of inaccurate and false reasons stated. Work from home in NY State. Division GTS. Role Architect Have not seen it yet but apparently the standard package---1 week per year max 26 weeks. What I don't get is why rate me a 3 and then lay me off? No mention of PIP. I wonder if it is to ensure I won't be hired if I find another position within IBM? Was targeted I am sure because in June I would have been qualified for the FHA Insurance benefit. I will survive. -Sacraficial Lamb-

Comment 01/28/15: Even though a 2 PBC rating received, I got the RA package today. Cost cutting and efficiency. Manager was a total tool, read from script, and when I asked how long she had known about this, she stated that is confidential. After 34 years, what a way to be shown the door. -Anonymous-

Comment 01/28/15: Well...after 17 years I am on the list. My PBC was 2 and I work in SO Delivery. I am 61. I will get full severance. My last day is Feb. 27th. -Just1waiting-

Any there are many, many more.

Of course it may well be that the actual number of layoffs is far less than the 100,000+ first suggested. It may well be that these examples are pure fiction. It may well be that indeed these employees have suddenly, after decades of service, dropped their performance significantly. All those things may be true, but the fact remains that some carnage would appear to be going on within IBM internationally.

Beyond the US and Canada, this is having a global impact. Australia's Technology Spectator speculated that as many as 400 positions may be affected in Australia. India's Economic Times reported that IBM's total headcount on the subcontinent is expected to shrink to around 100,000 by the end of March, down from 165,000 in 2011.

Likely we’ll never have total clarity over the numbers this purge involves. But from the sounds of thing it is extensive. As one article somewhat insensitively warned: “Here comes [IBM CEO] Ginni Rometty to chop off your head".