I'm sure this comment will be removed as "derogatory", but that's just the company reps white washing everything that disagrees with what they want outsiders to think.

The "Cisco family"is a thing of the past. I get that lay-offs happen and I'm not bitter about being laid off. But a family doesn't let people go who are loyal, hard working employees who care about Cisco's success because they're "expensive". Before Chuck took over, lay-offs typically affected an entire business unit that was being closed down or was spread across the company and impacted the worst performers. Now, under Chuck, the reductions are impacting hard working people in higher pay grades or people who were paid above the median for their pay grade.

A family would keep the top performers, even if they're older and above average compensated. They're compensated above average for a reason; they outperform the younger workers they're being replaced with.

Are there great managers like Tara at Cisco? Yes. Are there bad managers there too? Yes. It's not all roses at Cisco. Frequent lay-offs and the loss of hard workers with 10, 15 or more years experience is killing morale.