Age Discrimination Lawsuit. IBM Executives Called Older Workers 'dinobabies'

I was an IBM "dinobabie" almost 20 years ago. I was planning to retire at age 62, when the company announced an early retirement package that would have made working another 18 months almost like working for minimum wage. So, I got out earlier than originally planned, and began to enjoy Not having to work anymore.

IBM has offered early retirement packages several times, over the years, and they fund such packages nicely. I seem to remember a "name" for us older workers back then....some sort of derivative of being a 'Y2K'er"....but, it sure didn't affect the company benefits.

If someone is "offended" by a humorous name, they are obviously overlooking more important matters.
 
IBM did indeed have trouble for decades. Employees that relied on the name/brand and not new/different strategies did little to help. Personally I think not getting into the home computer and equipment game contributed to their lower status. Someone had to realize with computer tech in general business machines were going to be less in demand.

I worked for big old companies that would frequently offer buyouts with some being great and others go through the motions so an executive could say they were doing something. I worked for several corporations where each department/work group was supposed to fire at least one employee a year for what ever reason. That frequently never happened. Problem is that atmosphere greats an us vs them mindset where survival not excelling win out and will drag on the business.
 

In 2009 my company offered a 6-month severance package along with 35 year pension & what was in my 401K, I took retirement gladly. Respect begat respect & not being a 'Yes' man, the decsion to pull the plug was a no brainer. My division manager & direct manager where older than I, shorter (between 5'6" and 5'8") with attitudes. We called them the 'Twin Towers'. Never looked back & no regrets.
 
Same things happened in the UK. When I started in IBM Havant (S. England) in the 70's, it was the company to work for. Good salary, good benefits and a policy of non-redundancy. Over the years all that changed and by the 21st, Century, you were constantly looking over your shoulder and in my 50's (though working from the Portsmouth HQ) , I was a bit of a dinosaur. By that time, the Havant plant had been sold and under the name of Xyratex, was a disk file company. It enjoyed success for a while before going out of business and the buildings divided up between other companies.

Like others, I took a 'package' and on reflection, it was the best career move I made.
 
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