I made it through this awful week, and I am so sorry for those who were impacted. They did not deserve this. The process seemed utterly random. I would gladly switch positions with any of those laid off since I was planning to retire in the next year on my own. I cannot be the only one in this situation, but there was no way to self nominate. I call out the pathetically poor execution of this layoff process. Shame on any of you in leadership who let this happen. May you never enjoy another sound night of sleep!
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Anyone can self nominate for a RIF. They happen every year. You just let your boss know your are close to retiring and would take a RIF if it comes. If your team is getting hit, and your boss knows you are likely gone either way, they would gladly take the easy choice of the willing retiree. There is no formal process for it, because they are not allowed to confirm anything until there is an official announcement, but many people volunteered for this and prior RIF's.
I've worked in Telecom (AT&T, Verizon, Virgin Mobile, Sprint, T-Mobile and Boost) since the mid-1980's and have been thru layoffs literally dozens of times (impacted 1 time personally when AT&T shut down their entire Consumer Business in 2003) so I can certainly emphasize with others enduring the same.
It's not fun to watch coworkers, friends and/or family loose their livelihood. I know many at Verizon who've been going thru this round of layoffs turmoil, and amongst them some who lost their jobs. It's very hard watching people you know suffer, however it is a reality of working at large corporations.
"I knew something didn't smell right when I tried to turn on my computer to start my day it wouldn't let me go into my programs." - @a3
For me, that's a daily occurrence. I blame IT.
That's d-mb. I have exactly 0.0 survivor guilt. It's not my fault people got let go
bullsh-t
I don’t feel bad at all, but I didn’t work for Verizon to begin with.
@OP, all you have to do is let your manager know you want to volunteer for the next RIF. I know of 3 people who volunteered for this one.
@a3 THAT is VERY hard. Five or seven years to Social Security. Maybe, look for a job which pays you enough to live on. Our daughter got laid off after 17 years and her husband got laid off in July from HIS company through NO fault of their own. Been there, done that. Thankfully, my husband was self employed and could support us . We SURVIVED, as you will.
@OP Great callout - this company can’t handle an obviously emotionally charged situation like employment, but they claim to be masters at customer experience!
@a3 - I don't know your tenure with Verizon but there are employers out there that hire people further along in their careers if that's what you plan is.
Best with whatever you choose.
I knew something didn't smell right when I tried to turn on my computer to start my day it wouldn't let me go into my programs. Short time after received a phone call to come to the conference room. It was all over very fast signed the paperwork and at 60 years of age it's over.