Thread regarding Lumen Technologies layoffs

Im glad I was part of the November rif. At first it was upsetting being there almost 20 years but after the initial shock I realized it was exactly what I needed. I landed a new job in a different industry making more money, paying a lot less for benefits and almost 4 weeks vacation upon starting. Word of advise market yourself everywhere and do not be afraid to try something new.

Am I missing something? Why do people say they want to Rifed?

Yeees! I have my plans lined up. I already collected my 2023 bonus last month. Then asked my manager for 20% raise and got denied. Now I am waiting if I am getting anything for EOI and if not I am leaving the same day.

Need a vacation somewhere in South America. Lumen su-ked everything out of me

Am I missing something? Why do people say they want to Rifed? I can see it if you had another job or bank account filled with money but to wish to not have a job I do not understand. Granted I agree this is not an ideal job on way too many levels but it’s still a job until that perfect one come along.

good point, though they might be setting themselves up for liability if they deny someone volunteering and then RIF them anyway.

which lets face it, given the brain trust running the company is a plausible scenario!

"it will be interesting on what grounds they deny approvals, you'd think if they do they'd be setting themselves up for liability? "

I think some of the reasons why they would not approve you taking EOI would be if most of the people in the group took it...leaving no one to do the work. Or, if you have major responsibilities in the group, like if you were a lead for a particular function or service the group is offering...your manager wouldn't let you go. THEY have control because they are giving you a package...so they can determine if you can go or stay. In a normal resignation when you give your two weeks, then YOU are in control...but the company isnt giving you anything, so they have no say on whether you can stay or go.

Ive heard from a couple of people who were denied EOIs in previous years...and life just went on. So im not sure why the company would be opening themselves up to liability. Managers will just have some disgruntled employees working under them which is generally not a positive thing for your team.

"Hoping to be approved for the April 12 RIF."

And may the odds be ever in your favor.

it will be interesting on what grounds they deny approvals, you'd think if they do they'd be setting themselves up for liability?

Hoping to be approved for the April 12 RIF.

I have to find something else as this place not only destroys your career but also your mental health.

Rif must come because Lumen has no place else to go. It's that simple. Lumen will also Rif out really good people. Investors should be worried because stock price is off cliff yet again which makes it great time to short it.

So glad I was in the November rif. So many better jobs out there so glad to be away from numbers numbers numbers because in the end i was doing as much numbers as the entire team a couple months and still got the punt

"I feel terrible for those who volunteered to leave but it was denied. Now this gutless company will have them high on list to layoff"

That smells like a lot of lawsuits if they did something like that to avoid paying the enhanced voluntary separation package.

I feel terrible for those who volunteered to leave but it was denied. Now this gutless company will have them high on list to layoff

"Of the few (5) people that I know from the Nov 2023 rif, only one has found a job."

Maybe because their skills stagnated being at a place like Lumen? My friend who was laid off last Nov found a new job in literally 9 days. And is making 18% higher salary btw

"Of the few (5) people that I know from the Nov 2023 rif, only one has found a job."

Despite how "GREAT" Bidonomics are doing for our economy (NOT), the white collar job market, hiring, wages... they are all down. "

Spoken like a true Fox News automaton with 0 understanding of economics, who is currently in control if the nation's finances, and a source of "Trust Mother Russia, Comrade".

Those with a lot of year would rather get the involuntary rif and received more on the payout to leave.

The so called CEO couldn’t find the North Star if it was the only star in the sky, her real dream is to have a talk show apparently

Because blue collar workers can only make 15 an hour? Poor white collar friends you have refusing to work so they can whine about not having a job instead of going and getting one..since, as you say, there are plenty of them out there? Instead theyre su-king the government t-t living off the people willing to work? Yea, entitled garbage they are.

It's a huge gamble out there in the job market. Of the few (5) people that I know from the Nov 2023 rif, only one has found a job. If you're ready for retirement, take it and get an early start on you're next phase of life. If you still have a number of years still left to work.... as much as i hate to say it, you might want to consider staying until you can secure a new role. Despite how "GREAT" Bidonomics are doing for our economy (NOT), the white collar job market, hiring, wages... they are all down. These things are all in the favor of the Employer these days. I'd wait until things turn around in favor of employees
I only mention while collar because I don't have any insight into blue collar jobs. I do know that every big box store, resturant, etc... with similar $15 an hour jobs seen to be desperate to hire workers.

'I'd love to rif but they said we weren't able to. Wondering in this job market, if right move is to stay until you get a paid package instead of jumping ship. Thoughts? 7+ years here.'

Hard to answer, because it really depends upon personal situation. I left recently after 10+ years to take another job. Gave up the possibility of at least 22 weeks of severance pay. They didn't pay out my STI because even though I was there for all of 2023 and most of Q1 this year, the language of the policy states that you must be on payroll on the payout date to receive it(missed that by 2 weeks). It's been worth all that to leave for what I view as a much better and secure employment situation, not to mention a significant raise.

If I was deciding whether to take the voluntary RIF and the Big Check and THEN find a new job, I would have to consider it more. Because I've been RIFd before, it's not fun, and I'd rather not do it again if I can help it. It's one reason I left on my own.

So again, it's a very personal decision.

With 7 years the extra severance isn’t really all that much. But no one who knows is telling when the involuntary one will hit so if it’s more than a couple of weeks out you’re ahead of the game.

From what i heard managers aren’t picking for the involuntary as those lists were made up in march. They get to sign off on those who asked for the package though I’m sure the VPs will tamper with that because TRANSPARENCY. Oh yeah trust too.

But yeah i doubt they are going to get 10-14% through volunteers so there WILL be more. Can’t imagine they would wait until after the next investor call so it’s likely to be sometime in April.

I'd love to rif but they said we weren't able to. Wondering in this job market, if right move is to stay until you get a paid package instead of jumping ship. Thoughts? 7+ years here.

Sounds like they want to rid them selfs of techs and management. I am at a loss of way they do not give all techs a VSPP. In stead they listen to second levels who want to keep their jobs and a director who has no clue. Let the people go

Please share where the info is coming from that managers are picking those to lay off. I’ve not heard any of that. Thank you

i heard today managers get to review the requests to approve or not.

though apparently they're pretty much supposed to approve everyone to hit their target budget cuts and of course they haven't been told what they are. and if those secret numbers aren't hit there will be an involuntary round.

and the the managers may well be on the RIF list too. the involuntary round might be the same day, no one is telling.

trust and transparency!!

I agree, except in math there is only one correct answer.

When it comes to other things, the correct answer could depend on a number variables including a wide range of biases including whether your sources are actually correct or just controlled and deemed correct by some group like the MSM or agencies which control the information.

This can quickly become a scary dance with the facts and truth / propaganda.

“AI still feels like a solution for those too lazy to google and do their own research and analysis.“

That’s how I think about people that use scientific calculators to do things like advanced calculus instead of using a pencil and paper and figuring it out, just lazy.

AI still feels like a solution for those too lazy to google and do their own research and analysis. If you like the idea of just using what someone else puts together in advance, you may love AI. No thanks.

Certainly the problems at Lumen are for more sophisticated that what AI can solve at this time.

People need to STFU about AI being the solution for a company with major management issues. No amount of automation or AI is going to make a company be successful. If the leadership is bad and doesn't delegate or hold upper management accountable nothing will happen.

History has proven that corporations change from the top down, not from the bottom up.

Now if they can get the AI to place the wiring that'd be something. Plug and play is already here and has been for quite some time. Fortunately there needs to be something to plug in, and to plug in to. Ai can program switches, build orders, create asgnmts, route techs but doesnt have arms to do the physical work. Before you say "but once the wires are in place....." remember that everytime a customer moves they want the wiring in a different place than the previous person.

I'd like to see AI change a card and troubleshoot all the old equipment we have out there.

Lumen will let anyone go whether you are Go to Guy or not.
If you're copper tech or prem tech.
Your days are numbered.
COT and CDT might have some time left but not much.
AI enabled switching will finish them off. It'll be all plug and play in couple of years.
All alarms will be suppressed.
Any dms, remotes, and power- environmental alarms will be turned off.
They have a agenda to complete the survival of Lumen.

I think you are right.

Even if your RIF package is not the best, getting out of a company in a death spiral is rarely the wrong move.

For some people with lots of years of experience that cannot be replaced, they may not be ready to let them go. That is assuming they actually know you and your true value to the company. In many cases, they have no idea who the valuable people are anymore.

Fasten your seat belts.