Thread regarding T-Mobile layoffs

Nah, it's not collusion. It's a small community. It's not difficult at all to follow trends and make adjustments using all available information, which is easier once industry precedent has already been set.

This is ATT policy as well, either report to a hub if remote or resign. Probably Verizon as well, as all three companies seem to coordinate their policies as far back as March 2020. I wonder if that would be making a case for collusion?

High performing folks still must adhere to policy. The thing to keep in mind is that you're making a choice not to work in the office. So if you're separated because you can't align with policy, it's essentially a voluntary separation. People really need to stop acting like victims of office work policies.

For high performing remote employees it doesn't make sense forcing a relo to a market that will also require a salary adjustment. I remember hearing a number years ago of what we spent per employee for cubical space, and it was not trivial. Forced RTO doesn't align with Opex goals. Though perhaps this is just a game of chicken as I remember a question in the last survey about "willingness to relocate."

Is there relocation assistance in this offer? It is it just, “move to an office or take a hike”?

Current employee here who was hired remote. I was given the same terms to either relocate to a hub or take a severance.

I was an 100% FTE remote worker (written on my employment agreement) at another large company and got laid off earlier this year. I think I was targeted in part because of this because I got good feedback overall from my manager and manager's manager and they were surprised when I was laid off. My manager dropped a few hints about "going into the office regularly" a month or two before my being in a mass layoff. Maybe the manager knew some things they were not sharing, not sure. I also got a company survey about my remote work that included questions about whether I had distractions at home during work hours, etc. Another remote worker I knew was laid off as well. I think your business group its revenue also has a bearing as well on your employment disposition. Overall, corporate frowning on remote work seems like a trend in the high-tech industry. I'm here to monitor the news in concern for a friend that works at T-Mobile. Hope my little bit of external context helps.

For the person that wrote the original post, was the offer to relocate the only option given or was there an optional severance package? I am curious knowing that they have not noticed our department yet.

I was presented this option last July along with several hundred others at HQ. We were apparently lied to when they told us all remote workers were being recalled at that time. I didn't want to play the game of pretending to relocate when I had no intention of doing so. I opted to take the severance, as there was no guarantee that I wouldn't be laid-off in a future round. Based on what I see unfolding now (1 year later) I'm certain that I made the right decision in not accepting the relocation package!

Perm Remote ex-employee here... Relocation was not given as an option. Actually, no options were given. Just turn in your laptop and go.

How elitist. Everyone but you should have to endure “dustbowl” or high cost of living (which is subjective btw). This is what gives remote workers a bad reputation.

What are you in?

I would stay on a remote for the year while looking for another position or gaining experience (school, certifications) for another remote position. Tell them you will relocate but it will take some time to get everything in order (lease, kids in school possibly, ailing parent to make arrangements for) whatever it takes. They don’t give a cr-p about the employees. Why should you