IBM Insiders Say What's Wrong With IBM in Albany (and Yes, There Are Layoffs)
2025: "IBM Research" in Albany, New York "on the Chopping Block"
2026: IBM Albany Layoffs
Last night and again this morning we mentioned IBM's presence in Albany because it became somewhat of a joke and a punchline.
"Yes," someone said earlier on, "just look at HJ."
We assume this refers to Hemanth Jagannathan.
"In just three years, HJ was moved or promoted and removed into director roles across four different organizations. Four times in three years! Was there truly no one else capable of stepping into these positions? Across these groups, during his tenure the actual accomplishments have been minimal or flat out none. While smaller efforts were often amplified and presented as major, newsworthy achievements, those working closely within these teams understand that meaningful progress has been limited. This pattern does not reflect a healthy or well-functioning site."
Minutes ago someone replied: "But what’s the end game? They can’t leverage this to go find a better position else where. Most companies are savvy to IBMs quality of leadership at this point. They know it’s fraudulent “pumped up” numbers. They can’t leverage this to get a better position somewhere else. Take Hemnath’s example mentioned by someone in an earlier post. It’s not a good resume. It’s screams I failed so my higher up patrons moved me over and I then failed again so I had to be moved a third time. It’s not a good look. It raises a lot of questions. He has painted himself into a corner and really can’t go anywhere else but work for ibm..."
There is a growing perception, as noted here this morning, that promotions boil down to what insiders now call "brown-nosing" and nepotism. If IBM cannot attract and promote people who can innovate, there will be more IBM "ghost towns" in New York. █