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11 thoughts on “(WATCH) IBM’s “new collars workers” and claims of age discrimination”
Edmund Burke
Not only have they been systematically removing older workers, chances are most of the replacements are from India, either brought in with work Visa’s or the jobs were offshored. So, it’s discrimination based on age, but also against American workers in general.
IBM plays the word game by calling these firings, “Resource Actions”. I went through multiple of them but always managed to survive. I’m no longer with IBM now though, but it wasn’t through a “Resource Action”. They really could care less about their employees however they aren’t really much different than most companies. They bring in consultants to advise on the corporate strategy and they consultants tell them they can increase the bottom line by eliminating X number of Americans and offshoring or hiring X number of cheap Indian workers.
It’s very similar to the illegal immigration situation in the trades. If you’re a landscaping company or a roofing company and your competitor has hired an army of illegals they can pay less, the temptation is to do the same to remain competitive.
Ultimately, it’s the government that has sold out American workers.
This a 100% true. New replacements are coming from India. I personally know many IBM employees who have been replaced with India stuff. Generally a hiring ratio of 3 to 1. That is three new hires to the one from the USA that was let go. And most replace don’t have the need skills. But IBM is not alone with this trend. Many US baes company’s are doing it.
Agree with Edmund. I came in with the big build up of Akers in early 80s. Was a true family company then. Whole family enjoyed benefits. Unbelievable culture and pride. Gerstner destroyed the old IBM culture. Dead as a doornail. Got out 20 yrs later. Clearly was not welcome as a 50 yr old. Moved to BP to finish out career and retire. By 2010 IBM had become a miserable company with Indian workforce working offshore for pennies. Zero culture. I actually pity the millenials. They will never experience what existed for most of the 20th century.
Intel has had similar discriminatory practices in place for years.
I was 59 when I was let go, amid a mass 2015 lay-off that was overwhelming skewed towards people over 40.
Some of us banded together for support, and one person lead an heroic effort to prove that age discrimination to the EEOC. It took more than 5 years, but in February 2021, they finally determined that Intel was at fault, although the determination has so far only been made for eight of the group. https://www.oregonlive.com/silicon-forest/2021/02/intel-discriminated-against-eight-older-workers-in-2015-layoffs-eeoc-finds.html
More information is available at our group’s website https://www.pdx-tie.org/
Diversity initiatives may also be motivating layoffs of older employees, since the layoffs create more positions to be refilled with new employees with the “right” ethnicity, etc. Then it takes less time to meet diversity quotas..
An interesting article.
In 1968 I had an interview with IBM to be hired for a three month project.
I was told it would change my life…it did..and I stayed with IBM for over 26 very happy years.
With age head-counting I was able to take a package and became a contractor to IBM.
My training from IBM enabled me to progress in business both internationally and financially it was very rewarding.
Yes my age was the reason IBM and I parted company however I have always tried to
feel the pulse of current technological progress. However when I chat with other ex-IBM’ers, awesome people, but they really are dinosaurs regarding today’s technological directions.
Sadly age does have a use-by date.
Not only have they been systematically removing older workers, chances are most of the replacements are from India, either brought in with work Visa’s or the jobs were offshored. So, it’s discrimination based on age, but also against American workers in general.
IBM plays the word game by calling these firings, “Resource Actions”. I went through multiple of them but always managed to survive. I’m no longer with IBM now though, but it wasn’t through a “Resource Action”. They really could care less about their employees however they aren’t really much different than most companies. They bring in consultants to advise on the corporate strategy and they consultants tell them they can increase the bottom line by eliminating X number of Americans and offshoring or hiring X number of cheap Indian workers.
It’s very similar to the illegal immigration situation in the trades. If you’re a landscaping company or a roofing company and your competitor has hired an army of illegals they can pay less, the temptation is to do the same to remain competitive.
Ultimately, it’s the government that has sold out American workers.
This a 100% true. New replacements are coming from India. I personally know many IBM employees who have been replaced with India stuff. Generally a hiring ratio of 3 to 1. That is three new hires to the one from the USA that was let go. And most replace don’t have the need skills. But IBM is not alone with this trend. Many US baes company’s are doing it.
these companies should just do what airlines do with pilots etc: mandatory retirement at age X.
Could we please do that with the government?
Agree with Edmund. I came in with the big build up of Akers in early 80s. Was a true family company then. Whole family enjoyed benefits. Unbelievable culture and pride. Gerstner destroyed the old IBM culture. Dead as a doornail. Got out 20 yrs later. Clearly was not welcome as a 50 yr old. Moved to BP to finish out career and retire. By 2010 IBM had become a miserable company with Indian workforce working offshore for pennies. Zero culture. I actually pity the millenials. They will never experience what existed for most of the 20th century.
Intel has had similar discriminatory practices in place for years.
I was 59 when I was let go, amid a mass 2015 lay-off that was overwhelming skewed towards people over 40.
Some of us banded together for support, and one person lead an heroic effort to prove that age discrimination to the EEOC. It took more than 5 years, but in February 2021, they finally determined that Intel was at fault, although the determination has so far only been made for eight of the group.
https://www.oregonlive.com/silicon-forest/2021/02/intel-discriminated-against-eight-older-workers-in-2015-layoffs-eeoc-finds.html
More information is available at our group’s website https://www.pdx-tie.org/
Diversity initiatives may also be motivating layoffs of older employees, since the layoffs create more positions to be refilled with new employees with the “right” ethnicity, etc. Then it takes less time to meet diversity quotas..
A blast from IBM’s past:
https://besacenter.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/1935-IBM-and-the-Holocaust-Black-final.pdf
How does one become part of the group of “older” employees that got laid off. I was one of them in 2018?
An interesting article.
In 1968 I had an interview with IBM to be hired for a three month project.
I was told it would change my life…it did..and I stayed with IBM for over 26 very happy years.
With age head-counting I was able to take a package and became a contractor to IBM.
My training from IBM enabled me to progress in business both internationally and financially it was very rewarding.
Yes my age was the reason IBM and I parted company however I have always tried to
feel the pulse of current technological progress. However when I chat with other ex-IBM’ers, awesome people, but they really are dinosaurs regarding today’s technological directions.
Sadly age does have a use-by date.
How’s the new IBM doing?
IBM’s planned company-wide email migration has gone off the rails, leaving many employees unable to use email or schedule calendar events.
IBM’s 18mo company-wide email system migration has been a disaster