Comment Re:Absurd (Score 2) 273
As an IBMer who was not laid off (but quit last year, instead). I can say that there's simply no loyalty from the company towards the employees. Most of the layoffs come because they EXPECT to make less profit in the next quarter or other measurable term. That's not that they will make less profit, simply that they expect to. So, they lay off 1 of every team of 5 or less and keep going at a "profit".
It's a pretty terrible system, even given ideal conditions where the least efficient employees are "let go". That rarely happens, more often than not it's just like every where else, who ever is the newest guy or least favorite gets the chop. And, they refuse to reconsider people they have fired, laid off, etc.. when they do re-hire (if ever).
Basically it equates to the whole team working harder and the quality of products and/or services degrading (either from exhausted performance or from innovation being trumped by simply trying to keep up with the competitor's teams).
I'd never work for another place like that or not, even if they offered me huge grant money and infinite independence. I also turned down a job at HP earlier this year, favoring making less money working for myself and continuing to seek employment at a (hopefully) more ethical business.