I know the old-timers are getting screwed by T, and I know us young new hires will have little job security, and greatly reduced benefits, but will T still be a decent place to work, especially when compared to other options out there?
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AT&T = Attack.... terrorize....& terminate! Enough said.
Compared to a prison work gang, or a slave labor camp....yeah, T is okay. Compared to almost any other reputable business, you could do better.
I've been at T for almost 6 years as a younger employee and I can say my experience is mixed. You will go through layoffs but they rarely affect younger employees. The company knows they need to train the next generation of talent. I know younger employees who tried to leave but received a very generous retention bonus, no joke. The hardest part, in my opinion, is feeling that your work doesn't really matter. You will work on a project for months for it to die. After a while, it can become soul-crushing if you don't keep good perspective. Take advantage of everything on PLE and all of the free trainings available. The one thing I will say about my experience at T is that I have met and worked with some of the most interesting and diverse people. I have made friends with colleagues from around the country and have been on some really amazing teams. We have great PTO, cheap health insurance, and discounts on all of our telecom products. There are a lot of complainers on this forum, but if you stay objective you will see that it is not entirely good nor bad.
Respect your senior coworkers (they will teach you if you respect them). Respect you boss, do everything that is expected of you as long as it's ethical! Show up on time, don't complain if you have to work late. Learn as much as you can, teach others what you've learned and you will have success where ever you go!
You need to evaluate the other options out there. I think only you can answer, which would work out best for you. Near term for a younger employee it will be fine. Get your on the job experience and go for any offered education/certification assistance you can get and maximize your 401K/HSA contributions.
Don’t get complacent and considering pivoting out to another company in 5/yrs. I think it’s safe to say almost all fortune 100/500 companies nowadays aren’t providing positions for lifers.
Not sure how T plans to remain in a sustainable position going forward. Profit is being squeezed at both ends, new customers on the front end are not keeping pace with losses on the back end. It seems everyone I talk to has a negative opinion of T, it wasn't always this way. Don't know if this general disdain for T will continue and if so, for how long into the future?
Compared to other wireless carriers we are treated the worst.
It is and will be as good as you make it. Just don't get cement feet and think you have planted yourself and will grow into something. The hiring practices are so absurd now that most likely you will leave at exactly the same level as you arrived. There is no more growth, they only hire people who have no knowledge and no experience. The purpose of this is because if you know nothing then you must blindly follow management instructions where if you actually knew the business and what you were doing and your contribution into the overall services then you would be "dangerous" to those above you who most likely also know not much. Just do a good job, earn your pay and always keep looking for better opportunities both in and outside of the company.
Short answer - NO!
Long answer - H311 NO!
My advice to a new employee: It's a good place to build up your education and resume. Keep your eyes open for opportunities elsewhere. In the meantime, you'll earn a good salary here, but there is zero job security and the benefits are dwindling by the day.
I would keep looking even if you take the job. Don’t stay. This place is toxic and will impact your health over time. Zero job security. No appreciation for your contributions. Your check and benefits are considered a gift by the CEO. He literally doesn’t care who stays and goes.
Be ready to add value to each day, each quarter. Keep in mind that your relationship with the company will be completely dependent upon the value you currently bring to the table. Don't think in terms of 'loyalty' per se, but rather an ongoing mutually beneficial relationship.
Think of your training as an investment in yourself to help you add value - at this job or at a future one either inside or outside the company. Absolutely take advantage of the degree opportunities as well as being able to learn via OJT and company-related technical training. Try to support the technologies that look to be the future (HR has tools to help determine future-related jobs). The benefits at AT&T are solid but not remarkable. Build your skills, your reputation, and your business relationships.
Personally, build up your retirement savings (take advantage of the 401K and company match) and your 'rainy day' fund so you have a cushion for when the layoffs come - as you very likely could be impacted even if you're doing everything 'right.' Ages ago, layoffs seem to hit the lower performers, but those days are loooooonng gone. You might be supporting the suddenly 'wrong' technology or live in the 'wrong' geographic area... or just work in the 'wrong' organization. If you're prepared, when the layoffs roll do through, you'll be ready or at least better prepared to catch the next wave, either inside the company or out.
"Getting "screwed" by getting paid well with good benefits. I work on old legacy technology.."
Found the old cwa guy who thinks everyone gets his bargained-for benefits.
Benefits at AT&T are "good" in the sense that they offer healthcare coverage, but that's it - there's nothing special about AT&T's benefits, it's practically what walmart offers it's employees.
They're much better if you're union (or were last time I looked), but they're doing all they can to make those worse too.
It's decent for craft now pay-wise and benefit wise. I get paid very well for how much I am actually given to do now ... problem is 10 years from now landline related work will be all spun off and then gone period. I would never recommend anyone hire on here now thinking to get 25 or 30 years stable ... no way. It's ok to work a few years and go elsewhere.
T is carrying a massive debt burden. It is quite possible the company will go "belly up". T is in unchartered water, never having carried this much debt. I don't believe anyone wants this, but it may be unavoidable.
Been with T for almost 4 decades and yes, it once was a truly great company back in the day! I believe that this is the beginning of the corporate trend and no fortune 100 or Fortune 500 company is gonna be the same down the road. The complexion of corporate America is getting ugly with massive changes still to come. No longer lifetime careers as we once knew, just a job for a few years, then move on! Corporate America is changing their positions because they realize Millenials and X-Gens are not going to be loyal. The young college grads are a new breed and will job hop through the years with no consideration for long term employment...makes perfect sense!
hell no att is dying leave as soon as you can. plenty of much better companies to work for out there that will treat you like a human.
Get in with a Healthy ccorporation. If you have anything going for you now then take this lesson and go.
Getting "screwed" by getting paid well with good benefits. I work on old legacy technology so I know how to complain very well.
Sorry for the typos. Let me try this again. Do a good job and advance you education while at T. Get your graduate degree paid for and then be prepared for the exit as it surely will come. I feel horrible for young folks these days and of course even more so for the old timers who gave so much to then end up with so much taken away while in their twilight years. Very sad it has come to this.
Do a good job and advance you education while and get your graduate degree paid for and then be prepared for the exit as it surely will come. I feel horrible for young folks these days and of course even more so for the old timers who gave so much to end up with so much taken away while in there twilight years.
You are asking the wrong people.
The CEO said he doesn't want people working here for 20 years, having said that, if you can make it work for you with the understanding that you won't have a long term career here then yes. Otherwise get experience, company paid education and make a plan if and when they call your number.
Back in the 80's they were laying off tens of thousands of people year. I did okay as I was well paid in salary and benefits, you, not so much.
It really depends how much effort and willingness you put into the job.
First thing. There is no job security. I've learned this after being here 20 years. I got the pink slip within 6 months of being hired. Fortunately there was growth in the other parts of the company and I was able to stay on, changing managers/positions along the way. I don't recall when it started, but I'd say in the past 10 years or so, there have been layoffs every year. Yes, EVERY YEAR. Some years there were 2 - 3 layoffs. I'm not talking you are fired one offs, but thousands at a time......You live in constant fear of if you are next. It s—s.......
If you are able to find another company with competent leadership and stability, PLEASE get out while you can. Learn what you can from T, but have the intention of leaving. Stay current with your skills.
Yes, AT&T is best place to work since managers here are clueless
The best thing you can do as a new employee is get yourself in a position to get approved for some kind of classroom education - get a degree or certification, something legitimate - not just a nano degree (unless you can find one that builds on existing skills), then take your experience and education and find a better job somewhere else.
It's a job just like anywhere else, just don't expect to have an actual career here.
No.
As soon as they can figure out how to get rid of you, they will.
Invest no emotion..it is merely a temporary paycheck.
Get some experience, then move on.