Duffbert's Random Musings :: I find this rather appalling... Workers losing jobs at IBM get overseas option

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Category IBM/Lotus
From ComputerWorld: Workers losing jobs at IBM get overseas option

Some of the workers being let go by IBM in the U.S. and Canada have a chance to remain with the company -- if they're willing to move to Brazil, India, China or a dozen other lower-wage countries. But the expatriate employees would likely be paid at local salary rates.

IBM is offering the relocation option to employees who have been "notified of separation." It said that as part of the program, called Project Match, it will give workers financial aid to offset moving costs, assist them in securing visas and provide "other support to help ease the transition of an international move."

But people who agree to transfer must be "willing to work on local terms and conditions," IBM said.

This program leaves me with a very sour taste about IBM in my mouth. I understand that outsourcing is an unfortunate reality in our industry. We could write countless books about the pros and cons of that. I'll also not spend much time on the morality of announcing exceptional profits and then laying off people, all in the same week. But this "Project Match" program has, in my opinion, nothing to do with outsourcing and everything to do with putting lipstick on a pig.

So say you're a $70K a year programmer for IBM, born and raised in America. I'm supposed to be excited that you'll offer me a job for a fraction of that, in a country with a completely different culture, likely speaking a language that I'm not familiar with, all so I can keep programming at IBM? It's nice that you'll offer me relocation assistance to get there. But what if it doesn't work out? Are you offering me help in getting home? Oh, that's right... I forgot. I don't HAVE a job with IBM in the US any more. You're on your own... And I hope you saved a considerable chunk of your much lower salary, as getting home on your own is a whole lot more expensive than getting down there in the first place.

This isn't some internship program where you spend a year overseas, and then return with more experience, ready to move up the corporate ladder. This is a one-way ticket, and you better hope it works out...

I have no doubt that this will appeal to a very small number of people who want an "adventure". It may also be a great program for naturalized citizens who have considered moving back to their home country, but didn't quite have the ways and means figured out. But in terms of a program that's supposed to make me feel all warm and fuzzy about IBM's corporate ethics and concern for their workforce?

Not so much...

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Comments

1 - I must agree with you on this. We are seeing many wonderful employees walk out the door for the last time and it is painful and stressful.
 
 To that end when I was offered "non-Lotus" training for a new job, I drank the Kool-Aid and start that process in March.
 
 While I still love Domino, I have to read the writing on the wall, or pack for the trip out of town to have a job. There just aren't many Domino jobs in my neck of the woods.
 
 With a new grandchild and an ill mother, moving out of state is not a good option for me and many like me. Emoticon

Posted by Debbie Farley At 08:40:01 On 16/02/2009 | - Website - |

2 - IBM calls it project match, I call it project math....:)

Posted by Brian Benz At 09:40:16 On 16/02/2009 | - Website - |

3 - @2... Brian! I'm SHOCKED, SHOCKED I tell you, that you did not think this was a great option for you...

NOT.

@1... In terms of career protection, it's a necessary move.

Posted by Duffbert At 10:12:50 On 16/02/2009 | - Website - |

4 - Wow, that's so bad you would think it was a joke? Are you sure it's not targeted towards folks they pulled from those 3rd world countries in the first place?

Posted by Tim Paque At 11:45:00 On 16/02/2009 | - Website - |

5 - @4... I guess this would be a good way to retain H-1B visa workers while cutting their salary back to home country equivalents. In that case, there may not be the "but what if I want to come back" issue. For less than the cost of their new annual salary, you cut the overall wage and benefit payout to "local terms and conditions".

But this certainly doesn't appeal to the stereotypical American programmer with a wife and two kids, one of which is getting ready to start college...

Posted by Duffbert At 12:36:36 On 16/02/2009 | - Website - |

6 - I can't speak for IBM, but in the past it meant in some cases you retain your level but your salary may get adjusted. Or it may not.
Just depends on who, what level, what you find etc..
When i had looked to move back from EMEA I had similar discussions. Besides, anyone who moves and does not include a way back in their contract deserves what they get. If you don't ask, you don't get never meant more than it does with IBM and some other large companies.

Posted by Keith Brooks At 17:11:20 On 16/02/2009 | - Website - |

7 - Hearing about IBM's US pay levels made me weep (not for you guys). And IBM Singapore is considered of of the highest pays in Asia already. Not being a charity IBM's move doesn't surprise me (this is not an endorsement, moral discussion should be face 2 face), after all Asia is still growing, Europe and the US is not. IBM is becoming a less and less American company with a growing number of managers that have no one short of Sam to report to in the US.

Posted by Stephan H. Wissel At 17:31:20 On 16/02/2009 | - Website - |

8 - @6... You can count on "adjustment" with the "local terms and conditions" thrown in there. And I'd be real surprised to see any agreement to getting you back to the States if you don't like it or after you do a set period of time. Remember, this isn't an assignment or a transfer. You *don't* have a job here any more...

@7... I agree with you, Stephan. IBM has the right to set up shop anywhere, as they really *are* a global company. Where I have a problem is when the company offers a "program" like this and seriously thinks that it's a viable option for the vast majority who have been "notified of separation".

Posted by Duffbert At 17:53:38 On 16/02/2009 | - Website - |

9 - Since this post I have had a number of conversations with software group people let go and in many cases they were told they could get another job but everytime it looked like they had a new role the job req's were suddenly yanked.

Sadly IBM reported they made money yet still do things like this.

Posted by Keith Brooks At 06:00:55 On 11/03/2009 | - Website - |