Thread regarding AT&T layoffs

@1fqk+1nlFmePS since when do all top performers get an exceeds expectations? Those ratings are based on a bell curve developed as a result of available budget.

“my organization comprising approximately 200 individuals, I am aware of everyone affected, with around 80% of them being top performers.”

That’s not possible. If you’ve ever had to do reviews, you’d know only a small percent is allowed exceeds expectations. Like 10%. Everyone else gets meets.

“ On a positive note, within my organization comprising approximately 200 individuals, I am aware of everyone affected, with around 80% of them being top performers.”

80% top performers! Jesus Christ you virtual employees are egotistical a--hats.

We have to get rid of you because the BS is already too deep with Stankey’s self esteem, there aren’t enough shovels for all of you!

Surviving at this company isn't always about having some "in-demand" technical skill. In my 20+ years here. I've learned that, by far, the most important skills in this dump is the ability to navigate the bureaucracy, a high tolerance for stupidity and the ability to distill chaos into order.

Much of this is not found off the street. It most mostly accrued through experience with this backward unintelligent culture that the company fosters.

I will not resign!!!! I will wait to be laid off.

"Very few employees have unique skills that cannot be easily replaced"

If you think you can say that about AT&T, you can literally say it about any company in the world. Facebook is a bunch of React and DevOps engineers. So is Uber. AT&T is no different than Cox Cable, or Duke Energy, or any manufacturer, medical corporation, or whatever.

It's not really the point whether someone could eventually be replaced with someone who has a similar skillset. The point is, rather, that AT&T thinks that there are hordes of people waiting in Dallas who are either (a) just out of college or (b) working for someone else or (c) unemployed, who not only have the skills needed, but are willing to work for the phone company and come into the office 3-5 days a week, in Dallas.

Further, for those in (a), they're trusting that these graduates are willing to sign up to work for AT&T, which has a remarkably bad record of compensation and work conditions. For those in (b), they're going to hope that these people somehow can't do a glassdoor lookup and see what working at AT&T is like, not to mention the fact that they'd probably come in at what is likely a lower salary. For those in (c), they would have to be remarkably lucky to time it just right so that large numbers of people, with skills, have been sitting unemployed in this economy and have yet to find nothing better than working for AT&T.

Not only that, but they would have to find large volumes of these people ready to come into the office. These people just don't exist in this kind of number in any individual city, let alone Dallas.

I'm hoping that if T realizes that this becomes mission impossible and can't reduce the headcount the way they want to, they'll then poll all employees to see who would like to leave. That would be the righteous thing to do because there are definitely employees that would like to stay and most definitely employees that would like nothing more than to leave this nightmare behind!

Your AVP’s empire is shrinking, that’s why he is worried. He has to justify his level and span of control. There are way too many xVPs in this company. For a utility company like AT&T, we are very top heavy.

"Very few employees have unique skills that cannot be easily replaced"

This is true if you have very little domain knowledge. There are many people who were on a list to be laid off a few years ago only to then be given "incentives" to stay because they released too many people with that knowledge. This company does not believe in cross training which puts them in a precarious position when they decide to "let go" people based upon location rather than merit and expertise.

“Very few employees have unique skills that cannot be easily replaced.”

Few, whatever that number may be, isn’t zero. And even if you can replace these employees they’ll quickly become infected by the toxic culture.

Very few employees have unique skills that cannot be easily replaced. It was known that a lot of employees would be in different stations of life. T will go without those unable to move with minimal impact. Within 6 months it will be as if you those who left were never here. Best of luck!

"My AVP is concerned and has declared his determination to fight against this issue (not sure if he'll be able to do anything though), as he believes that without the top performers, he cannot accomplish his mission."

I know of some good Directors and AVPs (yes, they do exist) trying to do right not only for their teams but ultimately the company as a whole.

I believe it's going to be hard for AT&T to accomplish its mission, that is if there even is one other than dismantling the company. People coming back to the office aren't collaborating on anything other than discussing fears, frustrations, rumors, and all of the uncertainties surrounding the actions of leaders who are MIA. Phone counterparts across the country and the story is exactly the same. The chaos on this board is completely representative of what it's like to work here every day. Go to the VZW section and there are posts, but typically separated by days. Here the action is non-stop.

To the OP, don't quit as that's exactly what JTS wants. If you can, ride it out and wait for severance or until at least you've found another job. Cash the checks until the ride comes to a complete stop or someone at the leadership level steps up and does some leading, preferably leading with distinction rather than leading to extinction.

Thanks for sharing. Appreciate your AVP pushing even though it may be for nothing. Hoping there are others who will also push back on this instead of towing the company line.