Thread regarding AT&T layoffs

One former employee who was surplused in PA has already won her age discrimination lawsuit. The judge allowed it to go forward even though she had signed the general waiver. She got 800k.

I wonder how many people that don’t qualify for the pension are pooled into these layoff decision units. I have a feeling these people are either in the clear or get moved to a better project before the layoff list is pulled.

@ 49, as a "t" employee, i was advised that i was "out of runway" by a 56 year old VP.

AT&T is a convalescent home. Everyone is going to be old.

The majority of T employees are old. Recent layoffs have not been discrimination. There is just a higher likelihood that elderly employees being let go.

The T Surplus Management orgnaization requires a WAIVER for severance so I suspect severance payment will be withheld for those pursuing legal action.

Also be wary of any time a job promotion went to a random person who was from TDP. jobs were posted and in the background managers knew that only TDP candidates could be hired. TDP is only college hires, and only like 8 to 10 years old. So those jobs were effectively prohibited from hiring anybody over 35 years old.

Replace All AT&T BOD members to drain swamp and a lot of interesting things will rise to the top.

I hope they win !!

It's not their age. It's the fact that they messed up the T-Mobile DirecTV and Time Warner acquisitions. They deserve to be laid off based on their performance.

Maybe it was age. Maybe it was outdated skills. The internet might be hard for old ge---r to figure out.

“Meanwhile, the lawyer will make millions in fees.

Nothing in it, except for the lawyers.“

Counsel representing individual cases alleging age discrimination will, if they believe the case is decent, charge a third of the recovery (above the default amount). That means the client gets two thirds. It’s a good deal for both.

"I know of a number of ex AT&T employees going after the company for age discrimination"

No, you don't.

Au comtraire. In my group 3 were fired: ages 52, 64, and 68. All hired lawyers and contested severance. Incidentally, one of these 3 is me.

Most posts about losing to age discrimination suits are false…
Also, many “opted out” of arbitration. I did!
It was offered to “opt out at least 5 years ago. Hope many others did.

“The question is, how many in the pool that surplus was selected from were under 50? If they are few or any younger workers in that group, it will be hard to prove age discrimination.”

The average age of lawyers in similar circumstances not fired in the RTO layoffs was more than 10 years younger. Under federal and state law, this establishes a prima facie case of age discrimination.

I’m a former AT&T lawyer who was fired in this year’s layoffs, so I know what I’m talking about.

"In my organization, over half of those fired in the recent RTO layoffs were over 60, and all over 50, so some of them are going after AT&T for age discrimination."

The question is, how many in the pool that surplus was selected from were under 50? If they are few or any younger workers in that group, it will be hard to prove age discrimination.

Hard to accept my skills are outdated. Gonna try to grab some money on the way out.

Yes you could win an age discrimination suit. But if you do you still won’t win. They will probably be forced to take you back. At that point they will make your life a living he-l. You don’t win again

Arbitration protects the employer against class action lawsuits. Employees never win at Arbitration. Congress approved requiring signing of an Arbitration Agreement as a condition of employment. Most if not all companies immediately jumped at the chance to implement these. You can't sue without going through arbitration.

If someone were to fight this the venue would be outside of the courts in arbitration .

Bring everyone into the office five days a week. I am good with it.

when my friend (TOP performer) 60+ got surplused, the 1st question her boss ask her was "how old are you?"; when she told us we were all shocked on why did he ask that? bosses don't have employee's DOB, only HR does

the surplus must be AGE DISCRIMINATION from HR, and the boss was just surprised and embarrassed to surplus his TOP performer

Maybe AT&T just didn't need switchboard operators anymore?

"I know of a number of ex AT&T employees going after the company for age discrimination"

No, you don't.

AT&T Companies prohibit unlawful discrimination or harassment on the basis of race, color, religion, religious creed, national origin, ancestry, age, s-x, s-xual orientation, gender, gender identity, gender expression, physical disability, mental disability, pregnancy, medical condition, genetic information, marital status, citizenship status, military status, veteran status, or any other characteristic to the extent protected by federal, state, or local laws.

Move on with your life. Focus your time and attention on new opportunities. Employment at any company never lasts forever.

It was an involuntary layoff, despite all the rosy PR and internal communication about "how and where you work."

The company admitted as much by including severance. Those meeting the Rule of 75 with many (13 or more) years of experience get a half-year's salary in exchange for a release and waiver of any litigation against the company.

Individual employees should not bear the burden of enforcing labor laws. That's where the government should come in, but the Frankenstein majorities of legislatures including Congress all believe "Regulation BAD!" Don't expect any relief on that front.

I doubt any of us gave up the severance to tilt at a very tall windmill flouting age discrimination law. The ADEA statement with one location made me laugh, it's the well-intentioned Federal regulation to make age discrimination visible, but teleworkers all have their own single location.

Yeah, lawyers will really look after you. They would take it if they can get class-action status. That multiples the lawyer's profit.

Any settlement to ex-employee plaintiffs will be for an expired coupon for $2 off you next $1,000 cell phone purchase at Toxic-T. Plus you will be dead before you collect your settlement.

Meanwhile, the lawyer will make millions in fees.

Nothing in it, except for the lawyers.

yep everyone should consult their lawyer and sue if possible. the company is trash and treats their employees like garbage.

In my organization, over half of those fired in the recent RTO layoffs were over 60, and all over 50, so some of them are going after AT&T for age discrimination.

Why not?

Why fight city hall. Pick and choose your battles wisely.