I can't believe it's been a year since I was laid off from Verizon Wireless after 25 years of service. There were approximately 6000 folks laid off on or around November 4, 2015 and we were on payroll until December 31, 2015.
Just curious as to how other laid off ex Verizon employees are doing now?
I was there at VZW last year when one of my teammates was let go after decades of service. Do I know you ? Are you B ?
@3wni - You are so right about this. People that depended on me to get stuff done for them during the day, during the night, weekends, holidays all turned their backs on me when I was cut. Even two executive directors who spoke so highly of me and made them successful and I reached out to them for help and nothing...
Everything happens for a reason and I was meant so move on I guess.
I'm a little late here, but wanted to give others hope. I was part of the December 2015 RIF, it was hard and I was sad. Not as much sad about losing my job, but about the friends that turned their backs, the leaders that never helped, HR that vanished and the lost pay and vacation time I'd worked so hard and so long for. However, I no longer had to look over my shoulder waiting to be laid off. I took some time off, went on a nice vacation with my family and started a new job within a few months.
qmv - You are so right. He was never allowed to even take our annual 10 day vacation without getting a guilt trip. Meanwhile others traveled "home" for three weeks all of the time with their worked dumped on those in the office who already were doing the work of those Rifd before them. Well, take a lesson from the new face of IT, whether you go to India or Canada you can't take your laptop and the data doesn't work on your phone or at least that was how it worked when he was there. If you are wanting some peace and quiet on your vacation - take it outside of the country. For those still looking for work, make sure you have explored all of the state and local job openings, utilities, etc.. Coming in from Verizon, you might look like a genius to them and they don't care how old you are as long as you can do the work. Good luck to all still looking for a job.
What did I do to earn $130,000? I was mid level management, marketing on the wireless side. Yes I was well compensated with over 20 years. But my pay level is not uncommon in corporate. The stress was extreme and I lived out if a suitcase. Zero personal life. It was a good run, but it's over now and my family and my body are thankful for that.
It's good to know there is life after Verizon. I am in the recent RIF. Almost 30 years and too young to retire. I've been miserable for a long time. Updating resume and practicing interviews.
Been gone from wireless for a bit now and couldn't be happier. I was overworked to death and underpaid so much. I always said is wireless reps did the work of several different job titles and got paid for one. With them eliminating more positions it's just gonna get worse so I got out at a good time. These days I work for a great company with great leadership that work side by side with you to get things done and the bonus??? I have one job and just one job to do. Stress is down and haven't been this happy in a long time. Verizon was a good company when I started but they have done a complete 180 and it's just not worth the stress and aggravation.
Its really great to hear about these positive next chapters after verizon. I needed these words today. I've tried to remain positive and hopeful about my future but some days its so hard. I'm very angry at myself for this situation. I let verizon occupy so much space, time and effort in my life. My career gave me pride and purpose. Over the years It became my main outlet for social interaction. I wasted so many years putting verizon first and they kicked me to the curb like I was worthless. For anyone else feeling stuck in a dark place, use this time to center yourself with your loved ones. If youre still working there, make sure you arent neglecting your plan b. Jobs are so hard to come by that many of us will need to build our own jobs and create opportunities
"you will most likely never have 5 weeks of vacation again to take a long trip"
I know of no one who takes more than two weeks of vacation at a time (and the ones who take two weeks are only the old-timers who aren't worried about losing their jobs). Many people in my organization regularly lose vacation time because they're over-accrued. With the work load and the threat of RIF hanging over your head you cannot take any kind of extended vacation.
@1iuy - great post and advice!
90k severance ??? Wow
Did u work for landline or wireless??
In retail wireless employees are paid $#!+
Compared to landline workers.
I'll just say I started at 11/hr when I began my work at vzw (va)
Someone I know just got hired at vz landline and started at $30 in VA ...
Remember os/es reps didn't get commission but we were over worked , had to do all the back end work (inventory, merchandising) , greet, help customers when busy (depending on your store could be 90% of the time) , make sure phones were erased, teach classes , I was on about 3 confrence calls a week (inventory, QA, plus zone calls) worked 50 plus hour weeks all to be let go.
O did I mention one year they locked us out of the inventory room. It was holiday season and we were unable to get a phone for customer until a manager questioned us to death why didn't we offer a tablet or $200 accessories etc .. and we not even sales reps
I worked way 2 hard , but I'm glad it's finally over . 2 much BS
On 11/19/2015 after 30 yrs and 4 months the boss told me the run was over. Turns out it is the best thing that ever happened to me. I can sleep at night, eating healthy again, have the energy to exercise again and most importantly I have my life back. VZ is and was a miserable way of life. I am happy and excited about my future with my company I was able to start with my severance.
The smug, arrogant, snakish leaders who thought some of us would fail by the lay-offs, should get their refunds. I'm thankful and grateful that I got a promotion - now at the executive level in an age-friendly company. I'd like to encourage those alums who are still struggling. Don't give up on yourselves!! See being freed from VZ as a blessing. The quickest way to employment is to network - volunteer, participate in professional organizations. It's about making connections. Those who are still at VZ are not thriving, they're surviving. I spoke to an employee this week who is worried sick about being laid off. What a miserable way to live!! There's so much lost productivity with these lay-offs and creates an awful culture. VZ should stay in the rear view mirror - it's a closed chapter...be on to a more happy and productive life!
I am enjoying my new job in a new company. New to the business which is challenging again. Nice people to work with too. Good riiddens basking ridge and the overpopulated workers doing each other's jobs.
I am an alum of the 12/31/15. 25 years. Where I am? No work. I've completed more than 500 applications and had six interviews, two face to face. Nothing. So Uber and Lyft and who knows what's next?
@fhg you made $133k a year? for doing what?
sorry for those who are struggling but there is no need to yell at others.
I don't sleep all day, come on.
Awesome ! Best thing ever happened to me was being fired...let go...laid off...kicked to the curb...dumped....jobless....No income...and those F--ing Union Bastards still driving their Fat, Lazy, Beer Drinking A$$es to work just to sleep all day and do nothing !!!!!
How the hell do you think it's going !!!
I got 2 weeks for every year and maxed out at 35 weeks which made my severance around $90K. Didn't retail employees get the same two weeks for every year? Or is it low because they don't calculate commissions into severance?
U were on pay roll until Dec 31... they only gave us (retail) employees a little under 30 days (today is our last day on payroll).
And I wish we got ESIP but as non union employees we get a pile of $#!+
Small exit packages, less remaining tim3 on pay roll . (nothing like the 50k espi) .
I wish we [retail reps] had ability 2 transfer 2 landline ...
But beyond that I have enjoyed the time away from vzw and the micro managed retail he'll.
Giving money to these chumps after they dump you, makes you the chump.
I dumped 4 lines less than 2 weeks after my last day. When to T-Mobile and love it.
@MET - No way would I keep my Verizon service. All of my family and many of my friends also bailed.
The question is. How Many kept their Verizon wireless service.
We are doing pretty well. News traveled fast and friends and contacts were worth their weight in gold for a shoulder to lean on and job leads. We had already looked around and decided not to move before he was laid off because he could take a pay cut and still be ahead with the price of housing in other cities. So we took the pay cut and the insurance offered is basically what used to be considered catastrophic, but he was able to negotiate 3 weeks of vacation and telecommuting so we are pretty happy. I will say that he went through a bout of depression while he was waiting for the new job to start that I had never seen before or since. If it had been a different time of year I think we would have taken a road trip as a distraction. It is something to consider, since if you are in your 50's you will most likely never have 5 weeks of vacation again to take a long trip.
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Paaaaaaalleeeeeeeeeeease!!!!
The best day of my 10 year career with Verizon was the day I got my severance package. Never looked back and don't miss it a bit. Had another job within 45 days. Same money, better benefits, less stress, and no back-stabbers.
One year ago! The worst treatment I have ever had to endure. 35 years of service and first day back from major surgery. I am still amazed how those arrogant directors avoided attack. All I could do to keep from yanking that smug d!ck out of his seat. I have come a long way from that anger, however, I still and forever will hate verizon and those "leaders". I love life now that I am out of that backstabbing company. Like a bad relationship, you don't realize how bad it has become until you are out and look back. I hope all that have been abused by verizon and all those to come the best of luck. Remember it is an absolute p!ss poor company to its employees and the credo and code of conduct is absolute bull sh!t! Go funka, to hell that is.
I'm doing fine I have a much less stressful job. I keep coming back here waiting for the other shoe to drop as I still know so many that work at Verizon.
They seemed to be cursed from laying us off because they are clearly going down the tubes in 2016. 3 bad quarters reported and T Mobile is eating their lunch.
I guess everything happens for a reason and I should be grateful Verizon gave me severance to leave that miserable place.