CCIEs need to learn from my recent experience in the Middle East. I was asked, as often happens, by a CCIE to help him find a job. I spoke with him about his career goals and then found a role for him. The trouble was even though he was unemployed in the UK his previous employer in the UAE would not release his number. Since the CCIE number was essential for the new role with another channel partner he was not selected. Instead my next candidate was given the position and my journey to discovery about some of the complicated employment contracts began. The CCIE had taken a job in the UAE and was relocated from his country for the job. He worked two months and then was put on unpaid leave. Technically he was not released from the company but he was also not getting paid any more. Think about the horrible position the company had put him in.

No job, new country and no money?

How could that be an acceptable business practice? The company in question had passed their Cisco audit to become a Silver Partner and as soon as that was done they basically discarded the CCIE as if he was no more use to them. They had also built a contract that stated he could not be employed in all of the UAE and if he did get a job in the UAE he would not be allowed to release his CCIE number. What? Banned from working from an entire country! So he left the country for the UK. In the UK he was still not allowed to have his number back, even when I had asked for the release of his number. I actually called the company and spoke with the person who signed the Intent to Release letter my candidate had. I was basically told he would get back to me when he could. The old “Don’t call us we’ll call you”, routine. So I called their HQ and spoke with another person who would not even give me his name. What? You call a company and say hello and the person in the company will not identify themselves? At this point I realized I needed to go to Cisco. Then another CCIE who was also treated the same way contacted me. Yup, 2 CCIE hostages. The second CCIE was brought from another country just like the first and he was similarly treated. He returned to his home and was still denied the use of his own CCIE number. But he was afraid to be put in jeopardy and asked if I could help without his involvement. Seems he was bullied and felt at risk if he made waves.

So with this new information I reached out to Cisco. I now have a new best friend. I was contacted by Cisco and my eyes were opened to a new friend in the company. Yes, they had received a complaint about the company before and yes, they were very interested in what I had learned. While on the phone the two numbers were disassociated from the company and in that one call I was able to release not just one hostage but two! This series of calls not only released the hostages but the company in question is now subject to a new level of scrutiny which will probably result in the loss of Silver status.

Damn I felt like a superhero, like Popeye, like Batman (except not so glum), like Spiderman (except I would not hang upside down again I get dizzy) kissing Bouncy!

But there is a serious message here and a lesson so listen up. Be careful what you sign. Really there are contracts out there that can cause you problems.

1. Never sign an employment agreement that bans you from working in your industry if you should leave the employer
2. Never sign an agreement that would create a geographic rule for working with a new employer
3. Get a release clause for your CCIE number in the case of separation should you be released by the company or choose to leave in less than 6 months.
• If you and the employer don’t make it or if the promises made are not kept
• Downsizing happens if the employer should have to let you go leave with your number
4. Make sure you turn to your network to find out if anyone has heard of the company you are considering and what they think
5. Employment offers and contracts that are too brief can be just as much trouble as those that are volumes. Get the MBO, Bennies, Intent to release (yup the number), and the actual offer

I learned that sometimes even a smart CCIE can be lured into a bad situation. Don’t go in blind. Call me I don’t have to place you to help. Ask my network I stand by them and I have learned that they stand by me.