Thread regarding AT&T layoffs

This used to be a large and well respected blue chip company. It had plenty of opportunities to cross train, learn new skills, climb the ladder and real leader led training. Those days are in the rear view mirror so now long term employees are just holding on till retirement or surplussed. Not optimal or what anyone had imagined, a few years ago employees saw a career ending with pride, great benefits and a pension.

Yes because the answer is to remain complacent doing the same thing for years, right? That's part of the reason why when people leave the company (voluntarily or involuntarily) they learn they have no additional skills of value to help bolster their resume for a new job. It's a risk-and-reward situation that you have to weigh. Personally, I rather take the risk and if I was to be surplus, then oh well.

In 2020 a few of my technician peers in the SE, took SIPP plus the $50k buyout offer. It worked out perfectly for them, they were just waiting on the SIPP offer to retire/leave. The $50k bonus was a pleasant surprise, just when we thought the company wouldn’t ever make any buyout offers.

The company is in more dire financial straits now, so unfortunately we probably won’t see that kind of offer again. Going forward the company’s goal is to become much more lean, flatten management levels, contract out (near & far), use AI, while continuing to increase span and control for those remaining.

Passed on a managers position as many of my peers did also. Had a nice 42 year run as a tech. Left when I wanted with a 82K buyout.

Some of us never asked to be a manager in AT&T. Some of our legacy companies actually treated us managers good, then we became part of this beast due to acquisitions. But in todays environment, I definately agree with the OP.

"Occupational has been dealing with optimization, rightsizing, surplussing, follow the work, offshoring, relocation, spreading the peanut butter and attrition for years."

Living under a rock if you believe management hasn't been as well.

"To further clarify, nowhere during that conversation was it indicated that my answer would affect my future with AT&T. It may all be a coincidence, but the timing of it all is what makes me believe my refusal to relocate (before any kind of official request) and a layoff that followed are related events."

Not a coincidence. Have you been paying attention? You made it really really easy for your supervisor to select someone to be surplussed. And also yes, if you're remote and you decline relocation, you become eligible for surplus and off payroll in two weeks. This is all well-known info at this point.

Good advice OP, Managers are now feeling the stress, uncertainty and have come to the realization things are different for everyone but the C-suite. Occupational has been dealing with optimization, rightsizing, surplussing, follow the work, offshoring, relocation, spreading the peanut butter and attrition for years.

Honestly. I know it's just business so I don't take it personally. I do my job to the best of my ability, collect a check, and move up. If I reach a point where I can't move up, then I move on.

If I get laid off? Alright, I'll go do something else.

It's not a big deal, it's just life. People are overreacting. Trust your own marketable skill sets.

Correction to the previous post.

"I honestly told them I would NOT do that." is what I meant to say.

To further clarify, nowhere during that conversation was it indicated that my answer would affect my future with AT&T. It may all be a coincidence, but the timing of it all is what makes me believe my refusal to relocate (before any kind of official request) and a layoff that followed are related events.

"Guy in my office got the dreaded end-of-year move notification. He has not yet heard anything about a more concrete date or any separation info since he is not moving and has made no secret of it. He hasn't done much to spiff up the resume and said the other day that he's heard there have been 6-month reprieves/extensions in certain groups that didn't really want/need to lose as many as they are. I've tried telling him not to bank on any of that and start looking and getting prepared. He sees it as another 6 months to have a paycheck while (possibly) looking; I see it as just a stay of execution and he needs to get the fire under his butt."

I can only share my own experience, but here is how it played out for me. The letter was supposedly coming in 2-3 weeks. I had a normal, casual conversation with my supervisor and a topic of relocation came up. I honestly told them I would now do that. It was the end of that.

2 weeks later, I got a surplus notification instead. I believe these events are related. I haven't heard of anyone going through any other process of officially declining the relocation demand and leaving with severance. I think they just put you on "the list" for the next round of surplus, whenever that may be.

— quitting now on my own terms, priceless

I mean, good for you, but if the "letter" is actually coming in 3 weeks, why not tell them to shove it at that time and leave with severance?

I would not look at it as another six months of pay, if the person says they are not going to move I have heard from multiple reliable sources that they are off payroll in a few weeks to 4 weeks at most. They are also only being given 2 weeks to decide, this is based on the wave 1 July notifications. Also if you say you are going to move to keep working till the end of the year you lose your severance if you then choose to leave. So if you are not going to move my suggestion is just say I am not going to move and take the severance if it is offered to you, you will know if you are eligible before you make your decision.

@iya+1o8xm70l

Absolutely!! Meeting that MR75 can be a HUGE positive boost to your LUMP SUM !!!!! $$$

MR75 absolutely does mean something for some people. If you are in the SBC/Ameritceh/Pac bell area's management it can be a doubling of you lump sum on your 55th birthday. My went up $300k on my 55 birthday! Cha Ching! Nice birthday present indeed!

Guy in my office got the dreaded end-of-year move notification. He has not yet heard anything about a more concrete date or any separation info since he is not moving and has made no secret of it. He hasn't done much to spiff up the resume and said the other day that he's heard there have been 6-month reprieves/extensions in certain groups that didn't really want/need to lose as many as they are. I've tried telling him not to bank on any of that and start looking and getting prepared. He sees it as another 6 months to have a paycheck while (possibly) looking; I see it as just a stay of execution and he needs to get the fire under his butt.

@zxb+1o8xm70l Maybe stop working for corporations where every decision is made for investors and stock price. Work for a company that actually has a REAL mission, morals, and treats you like family.

Sadly these companies with REAL missions, morals that treat you like family don't really exist in America, or if they do not for long as capitalism crushes these type of companies, if these companies become successful they are acquired into the BORG collective or broken up for their pieces

When SBC took over Ameritech, 3 of my co-workers went from top craft to management, they are no longer here. Had to take jobs at other phone companies. I was tempted but decided to stay a tech, so far it was the wisest decision.

Employees are leased. No guarantees. MR75 means nothing for Management employees.

Unless you are the lowest senior person and are facing an imminent surplus, there’s no reason to go into management. Why take a job that is more stressful, gets paid less, has worse benefits, less job security and a week less vacation just for the sake of having a management title.

RTO is pointless. People still looking at Facebook on their phones and taking personal calls. Let us do that at home where we have access to better snacks and coffee. Also, guilt-free enjoyment when taking a massive poopy.

"Maybe stop working for corporations where every decision is made for investors and stock price. Work for a company that actually has a REAL mission, morals, and treats you like family."

Could you name one or two of these mythical beasts you speak of?

OP you nailed it! 110% correct !!

When your number is called (surplus) no matter how much of an outstanding employee you have been in the past, none of that matters.
Surplus, nowadays (and has been for awhile) it’s not based solely on performance it’s about meeting a number and about cutting headcount ie headcount=operational expenses (period).

— RTO in three weeks
— Force move to Dallas in 18 months
— MR75 in 2 years
— quitting now on my own terms, priceless

@zxb+1o8xm70l

Not attempting to be snarky or sarcastic, so I apologize if it comes across that way - but how can you tell a company that truly does? Because they ALL claim to, but so few seem to actually practice it

OP very well written.

Maybe stop working for corporations where every decision is made for investors and stock price. Work for a company that actually has a REAL mission, morals, and treats you like family.

Power, Hubris and Greed, a tale of corporate America. It’s why most of our manufacturing, medicines and other critical essentials are being made over seas our middle class jobs are disappearing. Now a lot of the skilled support and software jobs are being moved offshore too. Globalization to benefit the elite.