I know I'm not the only spouse/significant other of a Verizon employee that's been freaking out all day (and maybe checking this site every few minutes). If anyone needs to chat, I'm here. I know we all want to think our spouses are too good to be let go, but we need to stay positive no matter what. It's okay to panic and freak out for a few minutes, but don't let it control you, and don't let it last too long. We get through it by staying calm, and eventually moving on.
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this is a super long thread with a 100 spouses responses #verizonspouses
We looked at houses in New Jersey on the internet and felt it would eat up so much out of his pay, that we might as well stay where we are and take a lesser paying job. What are housing prices like where you are willing to relocate? You could get into quite a bind if you move and then the job is slashed on somebody's whim. On the other hand, if you move to a growing area, there might be other opportunities. It's a lot to process. You can get some ideas about what jobs are in an area on Indeed.com and housing prices on realtor.com. Good luck with it all.
Relocating may not be wise because you can relocate and still be let go. That happened to a few people in Ohio who moved from Chicago
Has anyone here chosen to relocate? I don't want to move far away from family or friends, but hubby lost his job at Verizon two weeks ago. He has the opportunity to apply for similar positions in other states. He's applied for jobs outside of the company, but the phone hasn't rang yet. Just a few turndown emails. I don't want to relo for this company, but we are afraid this might be our only chance for a job. Can't stop crying, the move is so far away.
Anonymous189359 and Anonymous188917 - try to keep your spirits up and take care of your family. I hope you have all the strength needed to go through this and things turn out well for both of you. I am in a very similar situation and will add you both to my prayers.
husband and I both let go each of us with 30 plus years of service - amazing reviews consistently
I honestly think we need to be discussing the possibility of unionizing with our spouses that have YET to be laid off. I'm serious, this is madness, with no rhyme or reason, just greed. I do not want to live this way, but if this is where the tech industry is headed, I need more stability or I am going to sorry myself to a heart attack. Verizon was our family, and we are now getting shoved out and the door locked behind us. Enough of this "every man and woman for themselves" we are so much stronger as a team. And for those of you who have spouses who were let go, ease, EASE call the EEOC to file a complaint if you feel your spouse was replaced with someone younger and cheaper. Verizon did this before, back when they were called NYNEX, and they LOST A CLASS ACTION AGE DISCRIMINATION SUIT!! Had to hire people back, give workers backpay and they were fined. You do NOT lose the right to take legal action JUST because the severance package was signed. NOT if the law was broken. Call the EEOC, they will tell you. We have to fight this, why wouldn't we? What do we have to lose?
My husband was let go yesterday. He has spent the majority of his adult life with vzw. We have two small children--a nearly 3 yr old and a 5 month old. We were a single income household. I am crushed. I haven't had a second to break down. I need to release the anger and fear. I feel vzw handled this so terribly. It was a shock to both of us. My husband is a damn good worker and he went above and beyond for work-- our son was born two weeks early and he left me the next morning, in the hospital two states away to attend a class he was signed up for so his boss didn't have to worry about rescheduling. He has worked weekends and holidays and never said no to work. Yet, he was the one chosen to get the axe. We are heartbroken. The what if has always been there but nothing prepares you for your three year old grabbing the Toys R Us Christmas catalog and talking about what he is going to ask Santa for and you are sitting there, holding back tears thinking you will be wrapping up things you already have to put under the tree this year and he probably won't be getting the power wheels we promised because we will have to prepare for possible long term unemployment.
Tgis,would be the time that you contact ibew or cwa and sign your Union cards so that you have protection against being laid off or shipped God knows where. If they lay off they have to do by senority, not arbitrarily, if you are shipped across the country they have to compensate you for your moving expenses...at the moment it's $12,000. For the managers that are laid off, they lay off the kiss ass runners that treat people like shit daily with no compassion because that's what the company wants....they think they are going to be saved and they have huge targets on their backs. Contact a union now and get those cards signed.
I am broken
Anonymous187720 - I am in a very similar situation, SO was 20+ with VZ, great reviews but decently paid and I think they did not like that. He's crushed but we lived modestly and saved a bit, I think we will be fine. Good luck to all
My husband was let go almost first thing this morning. He has spent a good chunk of his career with this company, but they still dumped him. He had a great reputation, great reviews, etc but none of that mattered. I think they dumped him because he is was a more expensive employee due to time with the company, etc. I keep trying to remind myself that this has happened to other people and they have come out of it ok. We are remaining hopeful that he will find something with similar pay scale soon. Outside, I am trying very hard to keep it together for my husband and kids. Inside I am scared and so so angry at the big dogs in this company for dumping loads of their top management talent to save their incredibly high salaries and shareholders. Sending out best wishes to everyone else in this horrible position.
husband is in the regional support, let go today at 11 a.m. - good luck to all
My husband was lucky enough to survive, he's in Tempe, his group had 11 guys, 4 were let go
SOs - thank you for your support here. I can understand why some people are angry, I do not think this layoff was handled as good as it could have been.
Even if Verizon contested his unemployment, it would have been approved by the state. It is rare that any EDD would deny an unemployment claim if the employee is laid off. Also, VZ uses a contracted service to dispute unemployment claims. I highly doubt it was VZ who responded. Did you see the denial letter from unemployment? It usually will state why he was denied. Appeal the decision....employees usually win appeals.
My husband was laid off by Verizon two months ago after 5 years. When he tried to apply for unemployment he was denied. He contacted Verizon since he was told that the company would not contest unemployment claim. How could they do this to him? Did anyone else encounter such unfair treatment?
Such a nice post Anonymous187480 - thanks for keeping our spirits up
Luckily my husband was spared. Pretty much one person from each work group in his office was let go. One cell tech had worked for the company for 15 years. SMH.
Does anyone know details, which of the 14 offices are closing?
Re: Boca Raton, it isn't office that are closing necessarily, it's positions.
Does anyone have news on the Boca Raton FL office? Will it be closed?
For everyone that's had to move for a job with children: I'm one of those kids that moved from state to state every few years for my dad's career. I never spent more than three years in one state, but the time I graduated high school I'd been to nine different schools - it's a rough life for you and your children together. My dad ended up being let go from his job when I was in college, he moved back to his home state and has lived there for 7 years now. I tell you that to tell you this: If you stay strong, and you keep your kids involved in stuff (sports, academics, extracurriculars, family reunions, family time), you'll be amazed at how they turn out. I tell my mom every few years, "Yeah, I don't remember any one of my friends from before high school, but I have no trouble making friends now," and I'm not an extrovert, I'm just decent at adapting. Times like this, when there is so much uncertainty, show your kids that you love them and that you'll protect them, and let them make choices too. I can't tell you how much it helped me when my parents just let me re-paint my bedroom in a color I wanted (this was middle school-ish). If you're religious, keep praying; if you're not religious, keep positive; if you're affected by the layoffs today, know that you aren't alone, and that no one thinks this is fair; if you're unaffected by today, keep the everyone else in your thoughts. You are all in my thoughts, each and every one of you Anonymous######s and the few people that will actually put something in the optional name box.
@ Anonymous187438 It's like we don't have families that might be moving with us, or families we are leaving behind, or kids who have to change schools! I had to leave a job and got a new one a few months ago - I'm contract so i couldn't even move until my contract is up, but I don't know what I'd do if we had to move again.
we aren't robots! and when they finally replace us all for robots, the robots will be sentient & do a much better job at fighting for rights & unions - or that's my theory anyways (why would robots with emotions & thoughts want to work 24/7?)
@Anonymous187428 - there should be a law that would allow workers to recoup the expenses associated with the move, seriously, who does that. This is the fifth message on his board on this topic (at least I saw that many). There is a worker who was moved from coast to coast in July and got cut yesterday. That's horrible. Who does that? Were is logic, reason and human component here. I hope people learn a lesson here, do not go work for Verizon, you may be cut immediately after you are hired.
Yes I am very scared - my fiance was laid off in january, Verizon hired him in May. They moved us all the way across the country - it is more expensive here, our savings aren't back to where they were before. Hasn't got the word yet but whole department has a meeting soon. I don't know how we will make it if he is laid off - why would they move us here if they were just going to drop the ax? Horrible, horrible thing to do to people. Should be laws against it.
We should also share this thread on social media - I understand that our SOs might not want to share anything due to privacy issues, but we as a non-affiliated party should be OK with sharing.
My husband was just let go, he's worked in Irvine. He said the parking lot was full of people with boxes, some of the crying. He left the building around 12 noon PDT. He's fairly technical so we hope that his skills are in high demand. I do not work, so this is a big hit, no kids yet. Pray for us. Good luck to everyone.
We've had over 1500 views on this thread, even if you don't want to comment, if you feel like you have nothing new to add: please know that if you're in this situation, we're in it with you. It breaks my heart to know there are good people that are going to be let go; people that have families, people that have responsibilities; people that have dreams.
If you/your spouse is let go, don't let that control you, don't let it run the rest of your life. Support each other, and never forget how much love you have for each other.
I feel for all of you. I've been caught in a layoff before. What I found is that life does go on and you can survive this. With severance and/or unemployment, you can make it, but you have to cut your budget to "needs" only- food, home, water, electricity, ...don't eat out, defer student loans for a while, talk to your creditor and explain the situation. When things got better, I had learned that I could live without "wants" like cable and didn't add it back once I had a new job and salary. You will be alright. It will just be uncomfortable for a while. Best wishes!
An employee here - I hope my wife does not find out about this thread :-) --- this is turning into a real support group... Joking aside, it's good to see how much families care about their loved ones. Keep it up...
Hi Anonymous187273 - I have a 4 year old and 6 month old (both girls) - I am in a similar situation. My husband is always an optimist and I have not received a call from him yet. I am hoping for the best, but this has been a 7 year long journey with VZ and it repeats every year. For some reason, I feel this year is the worst as this is a major reorg and they are shifting everything. I've personally had it with VZ, I think he should find something more stable even if it pays less money. We live a very frugal life, and I'd rather have a piece of mind than that extra income which we spend anyway. Let's all hope for the best. My heart goes out to all the folks who lost jobs and their families.
I am just curious to know how many of you or your spouses layoffs were originally GTE employees. Verizon wants these people gone because of the huge pension Verizon has to hold for them that they want to be rid of.
I've been trying to keep my mind busy with my two young kids, but it's so stressful sitting here and hoping that I don't get the call that he's been laid off. Thoughts and prayers to all of you in the same position and especially those with loved ones who have already been laid off.
@Anonymous187254 - great to hear that. I am still waiting to hear the news. He's scared but I think it'll be fine.
Just got the news that my husband and his team are safe, but no other details. I'm not comfortable giving any specifics, please understand.
I am so full of anger right now, I cannot put together a coherent sentence. All what I can say right now that my faith in God is all that I have left. My husband's salary was the only source of our income and now we've lost that. I pray for us to find strength and move forward. He was let go after 19 years with VZ, he worked weekends, overtime, he was often treated unfairly but he believed in the company. What a waste of time. #staystrong
This type of event,can sometimes feel as though there’s no hope,specially in men, a broken spirit, can be repaired, they must set their minds and hearts away from the pain. .Focus on the positive attributes of your life and yourself to help you feel alive, joyous and thankful,s.
Im a spouse and an ex employee so I have many friends and loved ones that work for vzw. Im terrified my dh will lose his job. It will destroy us. Im so disappointed that vzw would do this. I used to love and defend the company. Now they are just a bunch of greedy corporate aholes. They could have put a hiring freeze on and let attrition take care of the problem. But nope, they are going to destroy lives instead.