For those of us facing the threat of forced quitting or looking for something new, what are some companies that others have landed at after T that aren’t toxic? It just seems like most companies are run by sociopaths who undervalue employees and are laying off folks now. Please drop any suggestions for companies that have met your standard. Or let us know if you call for a rebellion against the he-l of late stage capitalism.
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Take the severance and start your own business. Really that’s the only way to really be free. Smaller mom and pop type companies or startups that haven’t hit the inflection point can be good places.
The average salary of college students with zero experience is now 60k a year. During this years bring your kids to work day, ATTs new hires out of college were tasked with giving a tour. They were openly discussing the salaries they got just 3 months prior. They were all hired at 80k a year.
I have over 20 years with ATT and have been in no less than 10 different roles and teams. From non management to the top of a 2nd level manager and what I know is that I have consistently been ranked in the top 20% of any team I’ve ever been on. I don’t expect that to end any time soon. I know who my competition is, and I’m confident that I have the attitude, skills, and experience to continue until such a time that I decide to retire. If you’ve been with the company as long as me, you’ve run the gauntlet too. Have no fear, you will persevere, with or with ATT.
I was laid off Jan 2020 and off payroll in Mar 2020 right before covid when the job market tanked. After AT&T gave be the boot I reached out to a former manager who told me "it doesn't feel like it now, but this is the best thing that happened to you in a long time..." He was right. I've been with my current employer 3 years now and It's so nice to work for a growing company and not have to worry about being laid off every year.
It will be “Your Pleasure” if a customer wants fried with that.
“…and the benefits are still vastly above average.”
Are we talking about management benefits? What benefits, pray tell, are “vastly above average”? Because I don’t think I’m getting them, whatever they are.
Is it the high premium, high deductible medical insurance that somehow gets worse every year? The 30% discount on wireless that can be beat walking in off the street at any MVNO or carrier except maybe Vz? Or one of the made up “ benefits” like True Car or pet insurance that is available to literally anyone?
Welcome to walmart. I work in the phone aisle.
All public corporations at the scale of T basically are run by a class of executives,who are only concerned about their bonus, compensation and quarterly results to appease the street. Employees are just a means to an end.
The best work really depends on your age, ambition and goals, of your over 45-50+ you're screwed , because you'll face ageism and unless your some expert in an in demand field, few decent opportunities.
If your younger, I might consider a career change away from tech to some blue collar or white collar trade where your technical abilities can't be replaced by a cheap overseas person or even cheaper automation.
Knowing WHAT I know now, I should have invested in real estate 10 years back could have flipped a dozen properties and have been set. Of course hindsight is 20/20. Working for corporate America especially these days is a suckers bet.
Be prepared to apply for hundreds (YES HUNDREDS) of jobs to get a few interviews and hopefully 1 or 2 offers. You will be competing with previously layed off people still looking and new college graduates so it will be very competitive.
Do NOT expect the same salary and benfits you were getting either. Say what you will about T but the fact is they overpay most employees and the benefits are still vastly above average.
Plus side is if you can land something professional elsewhere, stress levels, culture, and job satisfaction will be MUCH better, which counts for A LOT.
Do not be too proud to work a menial job in the meantime such as Mcdonalds, especially if youre younger in age. Companies dont view more than 3 months of unemployment favorably. Youll be asked what youve been doing since you were layed off..
T overpays for unskilled managers who have no transferrable skills. If all you do is scream at people to work faster and host conference calls to read spreadsheets good luck to you
I got the axe in late 2020 and wound up at a local non-profit organization that does workforce development as well as provides services for women, at-risk youth, veterans, and refugees.
I had to take a cut in pay, but the overall rewards of my new job more than make up for that. Particularly since my efforts go to help people in need, rather than helping Stink get a bigger bonus.
More than that, I am secure (there's never been a layoff in the 90+ year history of this org), my work is appreciated, and I'm not subject to lies, incompetence, arrogance, and constant "re-orgs" by greedy and malignant executives.
So my advice (for what it's worth) is to expand your options, consider non-traditional pathways, and jump to something new.
Life after T is good, man. Very good.
I was let go at the end of January and I have not found a job yet. Don’t wait until you get surplussed, you should look right now if you have time.
Try in-and-out burger. They treat their people awesome.
T work flow made everyone look good on paper due to brand recognition but in reality doesn't have transferable skills. If you have decent interview skills, you can always talk your way into most companies/suppliers/vendors that T is affiliated with.
I hope those that have left are not wasting their time on this board such that they will reply to your question.