I live >60 miles one way to my new assigned location. That’s so much gas. So much wear and tear on my poor car. Minimum 3 days a week. I’ve been virtual for years, and I wouldn’t even mind going back in if it was to a closer location. I don’t know - I think that even though I’m one of the “lucky” ones who doesn’t have to uproot my whole life and move states to keep my job, I still want out. Would I still be able to get severance?
20 replies (most recent on top)
Yes. Suck it up buttercup!
If you are being assigned an office to report to for the fist time I wonder how you establish the distance criteria that so many have mentioned.
This is a very good question, actually. While I was a virtual worker for many years, my Webphone profile still listed the closest office as my "work location", it sure as heck didn't list my home address (maybe it does for some, I don't know, and I don't think I would want it to). So if this office location happens to be over 50-60 miles already, or what if it was a smaller office, with a hub within 50 miles from it, but that would put me over 50 miles from home if they ask me to start reporting to that hub? Where is the distance measured from?
For some time while I was virtual I had to list my home address in webphone, for the preferred mailing address field. Folks may want to take a screenshot of their webphone address as it could come into play for distance requirement for anyone that has been remote since day 1. I am suggesting this in case T messes with the field without you knowing.
Buy a tesla, add the autopilot option, sleep to and from work while it self drives you, and hope for the best. Life is risk.
If you are being assigned an office to report to for the fist time I wonder how you establish the distance criteria that so many have mentioned.
This is a very good question, actually. While I was a virtual worker for many years, my Webphone profile still listed the closest office as my "work location", it sure as heck didn't list my home address (maybe it does for some, I don't know, and I don't think I would want it to). So if this office location happens to be over 50-60 miles already, or what if it was a smaller office, with a hub within 50 miles from it, but that would put me over 50 miles from home if they ask me to start reporting to that hub? Where is the distance measured from?
Not to sounds like a lefty poser... but my honest advice, look into an electric vehicle. We have one, it costs about 1/5 in electricity vs gas, and there is almost no maintenance. Just tires every few years. With regenerative breaking, you won't even be wearing your breaks out. And they're quite fun to drive.
Based on that commute distance, just the gas savings will probably cover an electric car payments. And I'm not talking about Teslas here, even though Model 3 is relatively affordable. You can get a great electric car with plenty of range for under $30K, plus up to $7500 federal tax credit, and maybe other state incentives.
“ False information. We were told that if our new office indicator is > 50 we would be offered severence.”
Let us know how that works out… I was hired in Bedminster, which is quite far for me, I commuted for years, then went virtual. I have to report back now - there’s no severance or offer since that’s where I was hired and it’s always been my ‘office location’.
Would be nice at this point to get that offer but it’s not coming for me.
Technically, the CURRENT TW designation does state that while virtual and primarily works from home, it also states that “…Infrequently going to their designated AT&T location 1 to 5 days per month ( or more) based upon the needs of the businesses “.
Whatever office address today showing in Webphone for is your current designated office that as a TW/Virtual employee…. I am one as well… we technically should have been going to at least 1 time per month.
This info is on the documents on the How/Where we Work portal… shows documents with current occupancy indicators and a second document with the updated designations and descriptions identifying the new version as effective 7-1-23.
"Could you just report to a CO building that’s closer and plug in the LAN there?"
Thats what I do. One day a week in my assigned spot. Two at the local CO. Theres a handful of us there.
" Could you just report to a CO building that’s closer and plug in the LAN there"
Absolutely not. Those days are long gone. All requests for access to CO's and MTSO's are denied.
You bring up a point I have not thought about. For all you folks stating you were hired as a virtual worker and never went to the office for decades may be in a jam. If you are being assigned an office to report to for the fist time I wonder how you establish the distance criteria that so many have mentioned. Keep in mind there is no mention of this distance in the management severance plan. I did see it in the WARN act but did not read it fully to understand how it applies.
Could you just report to a CO building that’s closer and plug in the LAN there?
You decided to move to boonies. So now you cry about drive time and wear and tear on your car. Cry me a river. You make life choices, you face the music. I bet that car is a ginormous SUV or truck.
If you were hired at that > 60 +mile location and they want you to return, then no- you wouldn’t get severance.
If they are asking you to move to a new location further away, that’s when the severance policy would apply.
I hear you though, almost wish I would have been picked…
False information. We were told that if our new office indicator is > 50 we would be offered severence.
"If the difference between your old location in webphone is more than 50 miles, then yes you get severance. If this is your location that you now have to report to but it was in phone, then no.
Your letter should be clear"
Uh, no. Letter isn't clear about that. At least not the letter that I got. The letter stated the metro area (not even the city/building), the date, the number of days per week, and the designation (virtual, office). No word whatsoever about severance, distance from office, etc. I'm in ATS.
I don't know why these people responding think that they know everything about the details of severance, regarding distance, etc. Go ahead and down vote my response; I don't care. It doesn't change the facts- and in my org, those other details have not been made known, and I would be willing to be that there are no hard and fast rules about it. I would push for severance. Try hard to get it; you have nothing to lose. Take with you the documentation about the magical "50 miles". (In my state, that is the number used for determining if unemployment will still be paid... that is, the employer cannot force you to work greater than 50 miles from your residence. There's something about that in the relocation docs too, and the wording doesn't make reference to webphone.) Point out that you've been virtual for years. Many of us were hired as virtual workers, and just because someone put data in webphone about the reporting office doesn't change that. So push hard. You just might get it. Don't rely on this board for advice and people who post like they know everything. They don't. Best of luck to you.
If the difference between your old location in webphone is more than 50 miles, then yes you get severance. If this is your location that you now have to report to but it was in phone, then no.
Your letter should be clear
@huy+1nnquUj9: You think 60 miles is far? I am 20+ miles further! I don't work for ATT. I would rather to have a stable job and work in an environment with people who talk in English than to listen to those id..ts sitting next cubes who talk in their motherland language so loudly in the phone, so disrespectful to the presence of their neighbors.
I do, and have done 40 miles one way, 5 days a week, for the last 20 years. Keep up with your car maintenance, save your money, don't live beyond your means and put AT&T in the rearview mirror as soon as possible. It is doable.
If you were hired at that > 60 +mile location and they want you to return, then no- you wouldn’t get severance.
If they are asking you to move to a new location further away, that’s when the severance policy would apply.
I hear you though, almost wish I would have been picked…
Why don’t you just start looking for a new job and just ride this out while you do. It’s only 3 days a week.
Are you serious? You sound like a silly rabbit.