I don’t even care how bad Verizon’s been doing lately or what happens next. I’m overworked, exhausted, burnt out, and I can’t stand this place anymore. After years of hard work, I have nothing much to show for it, and there’s no real path upward, nothing to make me want to stay. If they’re planning massive cuts, they should offer VSP first. I’m sure plenty of us would take it without a second thought, bad job market or not.
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@az not OP but feel the same. Didn't last year because at that point there were more "hubs" so I wasn't stuck somewhere, there was still role mobility... also exhausting hours were offset by being remote. Now a 12 hour day is + time for traffic, expenses of gas, parking etc. While sure everyone says "oh boo u have to GO" to work. But after 10 years remote its an adjustment.
@OP amen.
Those wanting to get RIFed think it's better elsewhere. Sometimes it is, usually its not. Learn to cope with the stress here, and just shut it down at the end of the day. Plenty of people do. This salary and benefits are hard to replace. Save money, build wealth, financial security does buy happiness. Don't fall for the negativity.
https://www.inc.com/geoffrey-james/open-letter-to-44000-verizon-employees.html
To answer the question about not taking VSP last year... I didn't have enough years and timing wasn't right to leave based on the random 3 separation dates. If I had 20+ years like a lot of people I know who took it, then yes it would've been an easy yes. However I knew if I made it to this time this year, and saved money, then got laid out or offered a package it would be better because I got way more weeks than I would've if I took the 3 weeks per year in that moment just by staying employed the rest of this year. So now I have everything in order and mentally im ready to go, I also made more money and enjoyed my benefits longer than if i took vsp last year. So if it happens now I did better by staying. However, I dont want to stay forever, the culture and fun have left the company. This place is full of leadership that have no idea what they need to do.
Some of us were directly told that, if we took the VSP, we would be denied. My boss warned me personally. We were told that our bosses would state we were critical and wouldn't allow us to go. It's the same game played with switching jobs within Verizon. Your transfer can be held up for months, and your new boss might simply not want to wait to fill the position. So, agreeing to take the VSP tips your hand that you aren't really loyal to your present team, but then you still have to stay in what was already - in many cases - a toxic situation. And get even more crud piled on you. This is not rumor. I know people who applied to take the VSP and were denied. It's not as straightforward as the people on these boards seem to think. Wanting a way out with the same level of compensation lots of others have gotten - the going market rate that was earned if you've endured here for years VS. leaving with nothing are not equivalent. Lots of us bide our time to leave on our terms, not the company's and definitely not every random, bitter Joe Schmo on this board. I'll leave when I'm ready, and I won't miss this place one tiny bit.
You can speak with your boss and be asked to put on a list. It will pay out less than VSP but you’ve worked another year so it all equals out.
OP - why don't you take VSP last year ?
OP why didnt you take it last year?
@ax not being snarky. Just truly wondering why you didn’t take the vsp last year when you could have got 3 weeks per year of service? What changed for you?
I agree though the job market is terrible, most companies are firing not hiring. So make sure you have good financial reserves prior to taking vsp or getting rifd. At least 1 years worth of bills in savings minimum. Im with the OP, give me vsp and im out, reserves are more than ready and financials are stellar. Im all for less stress.
Here is some advice as someone who took the VSP as a senior director - most places have office politics - most companies are now trying to get more done with fewer people. If you focus just on running away from something, then you may end up in a place that’s just as bad or even worse than where you are today.
The job market is terrible , believe it. I was expecting to have a handful of offers and really not much materialized. The only saving grace is that I have spouse who makes enough. I would honestly figure out “ coping mechanisms” to protect your health and your sanity and do your best to ride this out until you have something concrete.
Would you take it for the 2 weeks they offer for RIF? Why didn’t you take it last year?