I started at AT&T right after college. It’s been my entire adult career. My sole job. I feel like I don’t know anything outside of AT&T and now I’m being surprised after almost 30 years because I can not move. I’m terrified that I don’t have any skills that will transfer over to another company. Someone please provide some words of encouragement. I know this board is typically complaints about the company but I feel like only you all know what I’m going through so need some support from the people of the company. Pretty please?
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I'm a fresh grad who has only been with the company for a year and a half. This is my first job out of college. What you express in your post is exactly why I never wanted to stay here for too long. 99% of the people I've met during my brief time here have been with the company for 10, 15, 20+ years. Some of them have been here for my entire life. That should be a good sign...after all, something got them to stay that long, right? They must be happy? Maybe I'm cynical, but all I can think is I don't want to find myself here when I'm 50 years old and not know how to do anything else, with skills that don't transfer easily to other roles and companies.
I'm sorry you're in this situation, OP. Hope you don't have a hard time finding something else! You're an experienced professional, you've got this.
I just want to give you a hug and tell you everything is going to be ok . there is life after att
Your 30 years + your age mean you meet the "Rule of 75". Seems like taking retirement would be an option and you can move on to something else.
You should consider getting a life coach to help build initiative and follow through. What do you want the next season of your life to look like?
NDA being signed by Level5 and up, so information is being held back to those who are at impacted financially.
Let’s spoon
Find a steep cliff!!
Get a career coach and make the jump to something else. Career Coach can help you to get past the 30 years in one company and reframe your thinking to see what other options are. It’s worth every penny!!!
Surplus notices started going out last Friday to first and second level
OP - you said being surpluses - tell us more about your situation. I have not heard of anyone being notified yet.
Consider this your push out of the nest.
Yes, suddenly finding yourself without a job - especially one you've had for decades - is very scary. You worry about bills, your home, your family, and your own well-being. It can be an incredibly traumatic experience resulting in not only real financial pain, but in genuine physical and mental harm.
But take a breath and just reset your focus on finding a new job. It won't be easy, particularly in the current job market, but it's also not as dire as you fear. Open your horizons to new industries, positions, and skills. The odds are that your next job will be very different from T. But here's the thing, unless your new job is with twitter or google or meta you'll almost certainly end up at a place that is less toxic and mismanaged than T. In fact, you'll likely find that the new job is really good and you'll quickly realize just how indescribably horrible T was in virtually every way.
You'll be fine, and you'll end up in a much better place. You just gotta go through some challenges in the meantime.
Right there with you. "Funny" that the primary reason I didn't entertain the most recent retirement packages was healthcare. Too young to "retire" and not be eligible for Medicare benefits for several years, and can't lose established medical plans of treatment for dependent family members. We've taught our kids that benefits are sometimes worth a little less salary money, particularly if you have lifelong health conditions.
“ Typically I blast all the whinners who are crying about losing their comfortable WFH positions. ”
Why are we still thinking that we are upset over going into the office? No, I’m upset because I’m being told to move or lose my job. I don’t mind if I have to start going into the downtown STL office 3-5 days a week. I don’t love it, but would do it. What I do mind is knowing that by 2025 that isn’t good enough and I’ll have to move or lose my job. I’m not moving, on my own dime, for a company that will still likely let me go in 6 months.
And to OP - you are not alone. I started right after college, though I only have 18 years in. But I intended on staying as long as I could, unfortunately I knew that would mean “as long as they’d let me”, even though I’ve always been a top performer. It shouldn’t always be hanging over our heads that we could be let go, without regard to performance, based on Bs criteria such as where we live, especially when that is the same place we lived when they hired us.
I am in the same boat and feel just like you do. I have 28+ years and have seen the name change on the outside from SNET to SBC, then to AT&T. This like you is pretty much all I have known, and although I have had numerous jobs within the company it feels like none of them transfer over to anything else. I have family here and don't really want to move but the writing is on the wall and between the "relocation efforts" and anticipated layoffs its hard not to have that pit in your stomach and a feeling on dread. I wish us all the best of luck in moving forward!
It’s a horrible time right now, morale is so low, people angry, disgusted, scared. You are not alone, not at all. Remember you have survived everything that life has thrown out so far and you will survive and thrive through this completely absurd time, blessings to you!
OP here… I’m surprised that some thought my post was sarcastic. It isn’t at all. I truly am/was terrified but after reading (most) of these replies I feel better. Thank you for your words of encouragement!
You have every reason to be scared. This is nothing but a temp job for all of us. Firing is hanging over your head every day!
Not my first job, but definitely the one that was a first career, and not just a job. The longest I've ever kept a job, and after so many years, it's definitely a bit scary to go back on the job market. But, it's also exciting. I can now become whatever I want. I have some ideas of what I might want to try next. Maybe even try building my own business. It's actually kind of fun to explore possibilities. Also, finding another job will probably be relatively easy. After all, we have a good track record of many years with one company. Potential employers love to see that kind of loyalty. And the reason for separation is also legitimate, and the easiest one to explain. It's a big plus. I went ahead and updated my Linkedin to appear as open to opportunities, and instantly started receiving messages from recruiters looking for people with my skills in my area. We have to remember what world we live in now. For the past few years there have been more jobs available than people looking for work it seems, and any good professional is a sought after commodity that companies are willing to compete for! Don't sell yourself short, and know your worth. Ask for the money you believe you deserve, and I'm sure you will get it with ease.
I’m so glad to see the positive replies to this post. Sometimes it’s easy to be a keyboard warrior and say things that are just not nice, I see it all over the place…
I am glad I am close to retirement. Looking back, I wish I would have left 15 years ago so I don't have to see all this suffering and chaos that Stankey has caused.
Dude, after 30 years you are ready to go. It is like you got life in prison sentence but after 30 years you became eligible for parole. You will be free! Ask other inmates. You are the lucky one.
Whether the OP was making a sarcastic/legit post or not, there are people who are feeling this way and read this board. I can troll with the best of them, but I do realize that this is a really difficult time for many and everyone's situation is unique. So, I hope the comments in this case prove helpful for someone.
For many, I suspect their identity is tied to their job/company and this is shocking. That's understandable when you spend over 1/2 of your life there. Just to restate this eloquent comment that I did not make -
You have my spiritual and karmic support. May The Lord or whatever cosmic entity bless you on your journey as well.
You deserve to value yourself independently of AT&T.
Typically I blast all the whinners who are crying about losing their comfortable WFH positions. Your fear though is genuine, and I sympathize with you. Went through a similar situation; it's rough. Takes some adjustment, but at the end of the day a job doesn't define who you are nor does a company; you do. You are more than your job, and there are literally millions of companies and jobs out there for you to find the right one again. Don't let any job or business make you feel like you don't have value. The fact is the world revolves around money not people, so people have become replaceable/expendable. It sucks- but knowing this makes all the difference in your mindset. Your job is just a way to support yourself and your family... your family and you are what matters. Keep that in mind, take care of yourself, and you will do fine. Best of luck!
You have my spiritual and karmic support. May The Lord or whatever cosmic entity bless you on your journey as well.
You deserve to value yourself independently of AT&T.
Totally understand and relate as I am in the same situation. However you do have amazing skills if you survived this long in the company. Personally I am now thinking about what I want to be when I grow up (smile) for my next job. You will be okay
you forgot the /sarc tag, original poster. People think this is legitimate.
I’m going through the same thing. Was surplussed after 27 years with the company at the end of March. I’ve taken some much needed time to separate myself from this company, and I’m about to start the job hunt. I would highly recommend taking some time like I’ve done. You’ve earned it, and I believe it’s necessary before you begin again. I struggle with feeling like my value is tied to this one company as well, but those feelings are starting to go away and I’m excited for what comes next.
Curl up during lunch today with a nice bottle of decent bourbon. You'll feel all warm inside and much calmer within an hour. Then, get to work again for this great telecom company. But if you're a mean drunk, you won't have a job by this evening. Don't drive!
It's tough initially and is bit overwhelming. I left after 25+ years, took a short break and found another job. The thing is, you'll likely be pleasantly surprised when you land another Gig. No company is perfect and all have some issues, but it isn't hard to find another company with a better culture and work environment than T. It may seem overwhelming to go to another company if all you've known is T, but I think what you will find is that the learning curve will not be that steep and you'll do just fine.
Best of luck to you. I agree with the other commenter - You'll land on your feet.
Just surviving and navigating this long within the company is a skill set all to its own. I’m almost positive you have gained critical skills necessary to excel elsewhere. Why? Because I have seen it time and time again!
Just hang in there and do your absolute best day in and day out and be true to yourself.
And remember…No one ever has the right to cause you stress! You got this!
Unless you have not done any work and just enjoying pay
Otherwise you have lots of skills
Just brush 🆙
Don’t sell yourself short! 30 years with the company has given you a lot of strengths and talent over that span. It’s scary since it’s the only job you have known but I’m sure you are a great employee which will be someone else’s gain. Hang in there. It’s tough for all of us but I know the ones who have to make the decision to relocate is the hardest. Good luck, you will land on your feet once the dust has settled.