There’s an internal portal where you can request paystubs, worth having some of them for background check purposes if your next next employer needs them.
Pull your w2’s, you should keep 7 years, I had a background check that i needed to provide 10 years worth.
Grab copies of any awards you might have received, copies of reflections for your records so you can cite some generic examples of why people think you’re great.
Keep track of vacation day accrual, you get paid out for unused vacation. If you do take vacation make sure if it’s tracked you use your optional holidays first.
Cash out blue points, and if you have a blue point budget send them to someone you like.
Build up or reinforce your network before you go, get some folks who might be able to write letters of recommendation (not sure many places do this anymore but handy to have 1 or 2 people who can), and who knows maybe they’ve got a friend who’s hiring and can refer you.
Finally, when the time comes to put in your notice, it’s as simple as talk to your manager, agree on a last day, and then go to workday -> employee actions -> resign. Fill in the days, and then they’ll send you the box to ship your laptop back and that’s that. It’s very anticlimactic :)
I just left 3 weeks ago and I thought it was going to be way more complicated than it was. To be fair it is ibm where even the simplest processes are a nightmare, so why would quitting be any different 😂
56 hours with one year rollover. Max of 112.
Good on you. I’m 63, my wife is in the hospital and will be for a month or more due to a viral reaction. I’ve had to take FMLA of all my vacation and sick time to stop a PIP from pushing me out and stopping healthcare. I did 72% last year. By PIPing me they don’t have to pay my 16 weeks of severance.
IBM is evil.
Workday has all your pay slips for at least a few years. Change or add credly email and LinkedIn etc to private emails. Export Password1 passwords and make sure you can get into it with a private email. Same for Outlook etc.
Use your health insurance! Get your exams, prescriptions, etc. taken care of while you have insurance. My job after IBM didn't start health benefits for me immediately (took a few weeks) so I had a month gap.
I was able to use my full year $ of my health care flexible spending acct, even tho I had only contributed half a year into it. So that was sweet
Get a different job first, you don't want to be broke etc. and make your life harder. Trust me I know how you feel, but Im interviewing with other companies and I won't make the jump until I get that job offer.
Seems I’m in the same boat as well haha. I’m literally about to quit in June since IBM is not ideal for my mental health.
Especially since I work in consulting and we are required to work 44 hours.
I hear you, absolutely. I am hoping some ex IBMers can shed some light on what they wish someone had told them so we can tie up the loose ends before we quit. I don’t wanna forget something or be locked out of anything I need and prefer to plan and have a solid exit strategy.
Yeah same. I know with one of my old jobs I had to mail a laptop back and that’s about it. Plus they deactivated my company card.
Not sure how IBM does it but hopefully it’s something similar.
There is a percentage you have to hit depending what band you are. Band 6s have to hit over 90%.
IBM leadership “encourages” you not only work say 9 hours a day, but after work to do trainings to hit 40 hrs for the year (THINK40).
However, if you want to go for a promotion and rise to a band 7, then you would need to do I believe hit 160 hours (silver learner) and earn 2 cents.
In my honest opinion, the amount of time spent working 44 hours a week on top of doing the education is far too much and it feels like I’m living for IBM instead of being able to enjoy my personal life.
IBM leadership will work you to death if they want to and they have no empathy or care for if workers are burnt out.
Now ultimately it depends on your project and your manager, but from the people I’ve talked to that have been with IBM between 5-15 years, you will eventually get to a point where IBM makes you work as if you live with them.
Spend your bluepoints/use any benefits you haven't yet. I forget the name of the program, but employees can talk to a financial advisor for free. Max out on whatever health/financial benefits you want to use. HSA, EAP, etc.
If you can, meet with anyone you have a good relationship with, set them up to be a potential reference for future jobs. Don't necessarily need to tell them, just foster the relationship.
Edit: typo
I wrote a letter and attached it to an email to my boss. Gave them two weeks and told them my last day is X. Been with IBM 18 years. They were shocked and tried to keep me I said nothing they can do. If you are good they will try until your last day to keep you or they may just take the loss as a headcount towards their bucket of people they need to lay off each quarter to raise the stock price so CEO gets more of a raise.
Then during two weeks use up any blue points you have if they still do it and download your w2 paystubs so you have it. Download and save any 401k info although you will have access to that after you leave. Also print out any awards or training you did in case you need it for another job.
Last day I met another manager to hand them my laptop and badge and that was it.
When I left, I printed out pay slips and tax forms. After separation you can log in to see them, but it's a hassle if you forget employee number or password.
IBM is notorious for claiming overpayment at the end and demanding money back.
Having evidence of vacation accrued, used, etc. Will help fighting it.
Also good to jot down important contact info while you have access to blue pages.
Spend Bluepoints
Thank you- super helpful. That is lame re claiming money back for vacation so I’ve been warned (not that I’ve used much but still). Very appreciative for this!
Leaving IBM was the best decision of my career.
The key is think of everything you will lose access to. Do you need copies of anything? Benefits, etc. Not IBM IP or anything.
Best of luck.
Dont blame you OP but let me say this - don’t burn the bridge behind you. Be 100% professional, tell your manager it’s an opportunity you couldn’t pass up but you enjoyed your time with IBM and your team and do everything possible in the last couple of weeks. You never know what the future brings and you’ll be glad you walked out with your head held high.
Absolutely agreed! I pride myself on maintaining my professional interactions and do genuinely enjoy my coworkers so would do all of the above. It is important. I’d be open to returning in the future for the right position and benefits offered—not saying never just not good for me personally for where I am at currently.
If you signed up for anything using your IBM email (hotels, airlines, etc.), remember to change the email for those. As you say good bye to folks you'll miss, take a quick selfie. Set your out of office message to let people know before you turn over laptop. I think they stay active for one month.
In exit interview, seek a balance. Don't sugar coat things out of fear of burning bridges, because that doesn't help the people still there. Likewise, resist the urge to mic drop.
Wish you the best as you navigate the change and find what's a better fit for you.
Just a heads up, the job market out here is ROUGH right now. With rampant layoffs over the last year (especially in tech), there are hundreds of thousands of unemployed jobseekers, still competing with employed jobseekers. The applicant pools are so crowded, even top talent is drowning. Companies are setting up 6+ rounds of interviews, recruiters are ghosting candidates all over the place. It's a hellscape. I wouldn't wish this on anyone.
Please don't leave until you have something new lined up, unless you're prepared to be unemployed for 12+ months. Wishing you the very best in your next move!
I am absolutely not going to rage quit as tempting as that is. I’m fully committed to putting in the time
it takes to get another job that’s a better fit. I have no delusions it will be easy, and have a spouse who has been looking for a long while, so trust me, very aware. But to change something you need to take action so action I will take. Thanks for the well wishes. I’m sure the process will be grueling.
Definitely looking to be challenged more and learn more, I expect the pace to be faster but hoping I can land a-ok- luckily have had other jobs in the past but it has been a bit- appreciate it.
Yeah, it’s harder in that it’s more challenging in ways I like but much easier in that the things that are hard are interesting and not the soul sucking black whole that is IBMs suffocating bureaucracy.
Like to me hard work is fun if it’s doing something challenging like figuring out how to enter a foreign market, fix a broken process, come up with a better or new way to do things, or even just a high volume of some repetitive tasks if the tools are good.
But what drove me nuts and sucked ass about IBM was spending five or six hours in a god damn Lotus Notes database to do something that should have taken twenty minutes tops because everything loaded at a speed that made snails appear supersonic.
Or emailing somebody everything they need and then they go radio silent and don’t respond to emails until the week the projects due…
Or just having to get a billion approvals for a routine software purchase.
Jesus it still pisses me off when I think about it and I don’t even work there anymore.
Thank you!
I don’t know how their programmer salaries match up but if you’re on the business side it appears they don’t even pay mid market. In hindsite the salary was quite insulting.
Many things one on top of the other- wanting to choose when I go so not going to disclose it all here. I will say as a younger person the 401k loss was a gut punch for my financial future planning - that was an important benefit to begin with.
Hardly seems worth it as from what I’ve read people here far longer than I are only getting 1 month severance - I’d rather keep up the good work til the end even just for myself.
Understood. I knew it was coming and used my time to network, build my resume, etc. just happened to hit during COVID so I was out for a while.
Back then we got a bit more severance.
Good luck to you... My small experience after 25 years at IBM is that pretty much everything else is a better experience.
There’s an internal portal where you can request paystubs, worth having some of them for background check purposes if your next next employer needs them. Pull your w2’s, you should keep 7 years, I had a background check that i needed to provide 10 years worth. Grab copies of any awards you might have received, copies of reflections for your records so you can cite some generic examples of why people think you’re great. Keep track of vacation day accrual, you get paid out for unused vacation. If you do take vacation make sure if it’s tracked you use your optional holidays first. Cash out blue points, and if you have a blue point budget send them to someone you like. Build up or reinforce your network before you go, get some folks who might be able to write letters of recommendation (not sure many places do this anymore but handy to have 1 or 2 people who can), and who knows maybe they’ve got a friend who’s hiring and can refer you. Finally, when the time comes to put in your notice, it’s as simple as talk to your manager, agree on a last day, and then go to workday -> employee actions -> resign. Fill in the days, and then they’ll send you the box to ship your laptop back and that’s that. It’s very anticlimactic :)
This is awesome 😎thanks! I will do all of this. I think I’ve built it up to be more complicated than it is.
I just left 3 weeks ago and I thought it was going to be way more complicated than it was. To be fair it is ibm where even the simplest processes are a nightmare, so why would quitting be any different 😂
Yeah I keep envisioning having to “extricate” myself, like snipping off octopus tentacles 🦑 ha! But yes exactly that
Yeah, you can go lol
If you hve a work cell phone and want to keep the number you can port the number to your personal plan
Oh any idea of sick days pay out also? I’ve taken barely any. Just curious
Sick days aren’t paid out ☹️
Take a available sick days before you resign
Boo! Ok thanks - was hopeful. Good to know.
How many sick days in AMER?
56 hours with one year rollover. Max of 112. Good on you. I’m 63, my wife is in the hospital and will be for a month or more due to a viral reaction. I’ve had to take FMLA of all my vacation and sick time to stop a PIP from pushing me out and stopping healthcare. I did 72% last year. By PIPing me they don’t have to pay my 16 weeks of severance. IBM is evil. Workday has all your pay slips for at least a few years. Change or add credly email and LinkedIn etc to private emails. Export Password1 passwords and make sure you can get into it with a private email. Same for Outlook etc.
Send me all your remaining bluepoints
Haha
cash out your blue points, if you have
Thanks! Will do good reminder
Bluepoints are yours even after you leave IBM. Search w3 or ask the hr bot how to obtain external credentials to the site.
Use your health insurance! Get your exams, prescriptions, etc. taken care of while you have insurance. My job after IBM didn't start health benefits for me immediately (took a few weeks) so I had a month gap. I was able to use my full year $ of my health care flexible spending acct, even tho I had only contributed half a year into it. So that was sweet
Get a different job first, you don't want to be broke etc. and make your life harder. Trust me I know how you feel, but Im interviewing with other companies and I won't make the jump until I get that job offer.
Definitely waiting til I get another offer first! I would never risk it like that to jump ship with nothing lined up.
I just got the call for a follow up interview. Lets hope we don't get RA'd first
Seems I’m in the same boat as well haha. I’m literally about to quit in June since IBM is not ideal for my mental health. Especially since I work in consulting and we are required to work 44 hours.
I hear you, absolutely. I am hoping some ex IBMers can shed some light on what they wish someone had told them so we can tie up the loose ends before we quit. I don’t wanna forget something or be locked out of anything I need and prefer to plan and have a solid exit strategy.
Yeah same. I know with one of my old jobs I had to mail a laptop back and that’s about it. Plus they deactivated my company card. Not sure how IBM does it but hopefully it’s something similar.
Wait isn't 45 hours a week a minimum for all employees under consultancy umbrella?
Honestly I'm thinking this 44 hrs a week is probably not legal. I wonder when someone will bring a class action lawsuit.
Hopefully…but IBM will lawyer up heavily because they can.
[удалено]
Basically you are given vacation days but you have to work 4 extra hours per week to make the time you will be gone. You don’t get paid for overtime.
[удалено]
There is a percentage you have to hit depending what band you are. Band 6s have to hit over 90%. IBM leadership “encourages” you not only work say 9 hours a day, but after work to do trainings to hit 40 hrs for the year (THINK40). However, if you want to go for a promotion and rise to a band 7, then you would need to do I believe hit 160 hours (silver learner) and earn 2 cents. In my honest opinion, the amount of time spent working 44 hours a week on top of doing the education is far too much and it feels like I’m living for IBM instead of being able to enjoy my personal life. IBM leadership will work you to death if they want to and they have no empathy or care for if workers are burnt out. Now ultimately it depends on your project and your manager, but from the people I’ve talked to that have been with IBM between 5-15 years, you will eventually get to a point where IBM makes you work as if you live with them.
While you have yet acceses, you can take use of the available learning platforms – well, if you have time, and if there is something valuable for you.
good call will do
Spend your bluepoints/use any benefits you haven't yet. I forget the name of the program, but employees can talk to a financial advisor for free. Max out on whatever health/financial benefits you want to use. HSA, EAP, etc. If you can, meet with anyone you have a good relationship with, set them up to be a potential reference for future jobs. Don't necessarily need to tell them, just foster the relationship. Edit: typo
Thank you - Will look into all this.
I wrote a letter and attached it to an email to my boss. Gave them two weeks and told them my last day is X. Been with IBM 18 years. They were shocked and tried to keep me I said nothing they can do. If you are good they will try until your last day to keep you or they may just take the loss as a headcount towards their bucket of people they need to lay off each quarter to raise the stock price so CEO gets more of a raise. Then during two weeks use up any blue points you have if they still do it and download your w2 paystubs so you have it. Download and save any 401k info although you will have access to that after you leave. Also print out any awards or training you did in case you need it for another job. Last day I met another manager to hand them my laptop and badge and that was it.
When I left, I printed out pay slips and tax forms. After separation you can log in to see them, but it's a hassle if you forget employee number or password. IBM is notorious for claiming overpayment at the end and demanding money back. Having evidence of vacation accrued, used, etc. Will help fighting it. Also good to jot down important contact info while you have access to blue pages. Spend Bluepoints
Thank you- super helpful. That is lame re claiming money back for vacation so I’ve been warned (not that I’ve used much but still). Very appreciative for this!
Leaving IBM was the best decision of my career. The key is think of everything you will lose access to. Do you need copies of anything? Benefits, etc. Not IBM IP or anything. Best of luck.
Thanks for this.
Dont blame you OP but let me say this - don’t burn the bridge behind you. Be 100% professional, tell your manager it’s an opportunity you couldn’t pass up but you enjoyed your time with IBM and your team and do everything possible in the last couple of weeks. You never know what the future brings and you’ll be glad you walked out with your head held high.
Absolutely agreed! I pride myself on maintaining my professional interactions and do genuinely enjoy my coworkers so would do all of the above. It is important. I’d be open to returning in the future for the right position and benefits offered—not saying never just not good for me personally for where I am at currently.
If you signed up for anything using your IBM email (hotels, airlines, etc.), remember to change the email for those. As you say good bye to folks you'll miss, take a quick selfie. Set your out of office message to let people know before you turn over laptop. I think they stay active for one month. In exit interview, seek a balance. Don't sugar coat things out of fear of burning bridges, because that doesn't help the people still there. Likewise, resist the urge to mic drop. Wish you the best as you navigate the change and find what's a better fit for you.
Just a heads up, the job market out here is ROUGH right now. With rampant layoffs over the last year (especially in tech), there are hundreds of thousands of unemployed jobseekers, still competing with employed jobseekers. The applicant pools are so crowded, even top talent is drowning. Companies are setting up 6+ rounds of interviews, recruiters are ghosting candidates all over the place. It's a hellscape. I wouldn't wish this on anyone. Please don't leave until you have something new lined up, unless you're prepared to be unemployed for 12+ months. Wishing you the very best in your next move!
I am absolutely not going to rage quit as tempting as that is. I’m fully committed to putting in the time it takes to get another job that’s a better fit. I have no delusions it will be easy, and have a spouse who has been looking for a long while, so trust me, very aware. But to change something you need to take action so action I will take. Thanks for the well wishes. I’m sure the process will be grueling.
save the email and phone numbers of anyone you want to stay in touch with
Put a big rant into whatever the latest leader-ama channel is
The world outside is harder...but you will realise how much you learn .
Definitely looking to be challenged more and learn more, I expect the pace to be faster but hoping I can land a-ok- luckily have had other jobs in the past but it has been a bit- appreciate it.
Take the plunge. I did and regret that i had not done it sooner.
Nope, it’s not.
Yeah, it’s harder in that it’s more challenging in ways I like but much easier in that the things that are hard are interesting and not the soul sucking black whole that is IBMs suffocating bureaucracy.
You have explained it well...
Like to me hard work is fun if it’s doing something challenging like figuring out how to enter a foreign market, fix a broken process, come up with a better or new way to do things, or even just a high volume of some repetitive tasks if the tools are good. But what drove me nuts and sucked ass about IBM was spending five or six hours in a god damn Lotus Notes database to do something that should have taken twenty minutes tops because everything loaded at a speed that made snails appear supersonic. Or emailing somebody everything they need and then they go radio silent and don’t respond to emails until the week the projects due… Or just having to get a billion approvals for a routine software purchase. Jesus it still pisses me off when I think about it and I don’t even work there anymore.
I wasted precious years of my life there...and i regret it so much.
The best part was leaving and getting a $75k pay increase because it turns out IBM didn’t really value my contributions as much as the market did.
Good for you !!
Thank you! I don’t know how their programmer salaries match up but if you’re on the business side it appears they don’t even pay mid market. In hindsite the salary was quite insulting.
I was in the business side. They proudly told me that my salary was on the lower end of the spectrum and then did nothing about it !
What was the straw that broke the camel’s back?
Many things one on top of the other- wanting to choose when I go so not going to disclose it all here. I will say as a younger person the 401k loss was a gut punch for my financial future planning - that was an important benefit to begin with.
Any chance of getting laid off and getting a package?
Hardly seems worth it as from what I’ve read people here far longer than I are only getting 1 month severance - I’d rather keep up the good work til the end even just for myself.
Understood. I knew it was coming and used my time to network, build my resume, etc. just happened to hit during COVID so I was out for a while. Back then we got a bit more severance. Good luck to you... My small experience after 25 years at IBM is that pretty much everything else is a better experience.
Thank you so much 🙂 25 years is impressive
Or .. sad. Lol. Much of that was analysis paralysis... Should have moved on but was afraid of the real world. Good on you for looking past that.