People who took the offer, do you all have new jobs by now? Better/worse? More/less pay? Are you still happy with your decision?
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I was in the Class of June 2017 RIF. Didn't get the sweet package some of the VSP folks did, but glad that me and my whole US based team was RIFed when we were. They brought someone from VDSI to the US on an L-1 Visa to run the show in December 2016, and I saw the writing on the wall for Infosys and the collapse of the IT Machine in places like Temple Terrace, Dallas, and beyond.
I took some time off, which was the best thing I could have done. I started taking care of myself. I lost 75 pounds - mostly from shedding nearly 20 years of collected stress, but also not having to be on-call 24x7 and stuck living a sedentary lifestyle chained to my desk. How many of us had to eat lunch at our desk while listening to yet another conference call at VZ?
I found a job in November. It required a move, but the new company picked up the entire cost of the move and gave me a very healthy sign-on bonus. Not only am I making double what I made at VZ, but I am in a culture where work/life balance is a real thing; I'm not thinking about work on my time off, nor am I creating reports on Sunday evening instead of spending time with my family.
For work that was considered "BAU" at VZ, I'm thanked and appreciated. I've gained more responsibilities in the short time at my new employer, and it is absolutely refreshing to be recognized for when you actually put in the hard work and exceed deadlines for deliverables. That motivation fuels me to be better and do better things.
So, all in all, a great move. After 20 years with Der Kompany, it's great to start a new chapter of my life.
March VSPer. I took the first few weeks to get a couple certifications done. Then spent 2 weeks applying, working with recruiters interviewing, got 2 job offers contract to hire, picked one making more than vz but without benefits for now transitioning to fte in a few months with a similar benefit, PTO, bonus structure. Base salary might start a little lower but the job and people I LOVE. More realistic work load and a great work life balance. Not toxic like Vz. I am so happy I made the leap. I was off work 7 weeks in total from March to may.
12/28 19 year VSPer here. Took off January and February. Started looking in March. Landed a job about a month ago making 25k more than Verizon with a better title, full benefits, 4 weeks vacation and 15% bonus (less than I was getting at Verizon). Was offered several contacting jobs but held out for a full-time position and it paid off. The job search s---ed but I'm on to better things. Good luck to all those about to re-enter the market.
Great post
Hope our leaders read this blog
They think they can abuse employees given the pay and benefits are so good. Good to see so many people saying things are just as good in those areas without the standard Verizon beat downs and horrible leadership.
Doing great started my own business. I could of gone anywhere and done anything. Mainly I don’t have to worry about being payed off like so many for health reasons or any excuse at all. Seen to many walked out the door for heart attacks, prostate cancer and diabetes.
12/28 VSP'er. Started applying in April and landed a job making the same base pay I left Verizon with. Will be slightly less overall since I got STI thru VZ & don't with the new company. Best thing is that 90% is remote working from home. I start new position July 1st.
If "the sun seems a bit brighter everyday" we're going to burn up eventually.
Less money, my choice, but a job I don't hate. Blood pressure back to normal, my family notices I am happier and the sun seems a bit brighter everyday.
@2ykq, sshhhh, it could one day be Yugo, Edsel, Pinto...
I was laid off in spring 2017 as a field ops analyst, took an offer as a solutions manager back in the store (better the devil you know?). I gave myself a 6-month deadline to find something else. Nov 2017 I left and took a better paying job with a significantly better company. In the past 1.5 years I've had roughly 3 hours of work-related stress. At VZW I had about 8-9 hours of stress per shift lol.
Absolutely love my post-VZW career. Since changing I've recruited some other VZW-ex-pats, all of whom love their new jobs also.
“"I found myself having to check my behavior the first few weeks at the new job. It’s incredible how jaded you become..."
So true, like a dog that's been beat.””
Verizon = High School
2dxz OP here
Just an additional note on medical/dental. Verizon medical/dental used to be considered the “Rolls Royce” insurance. Not so much anymore. There are LOTS of medium/large businesses (>500 employees) that offer comparable insurance. Vz medical benefits should now be considered maybe just “Lexus” class
"I found myself having to check my behavior the first few weeks at the new job. It’s incredible how jaded you become..."
So true, like a dog that's been beat.
Took a year off post RIF (was planning on only 6 months but a family member ran into some unexpected health issues so was thankful to have the time off available) Started job hunting in month 8. Lots of contract offers and and a few firms wanting me to relo but nothing really appealing. Had an out of state firm reach out to me out of the blue with an offer to work at a new in local office they were opening...I had trouble turning it down. They couldn’t quite meet my salary expectations but offered extra PTO and a nice little signing bonus. The biggest bonus of all was showing up to the new job and being treated like an adult. You don’t realize until you leave Verizon just how totally toxic that environment is and how marginalized they make you feel. I found myself having to check my behavior the first few weeks at the new job. It’s incredible how jaded you become working at Verizon. My advice FWIW...grow your network, improve your marketability and get the h#ll out, the waters fine out here
I left on 3/22. Took the month of April off and my yard and home projects are just about completed. I started looking for jobs in May sent out many resumes. There are many contracting jobs but that would be my last resort along with working in a big city. I found a job and will be starting this month the money is slightly less but with what Verizon provided I will be fine for few years. I had some concerns because of years of service and being over 50 but I just kept plugging away and I could be picky. Not sure how this new job will be but I can tell you the anxiety and stress levels took a little while to go down after 3/22 and now I feel much better about my decision.
@1rsy: "@1qfv - He said 401K and vanguard...so the entire $2M is not just 401k. I think that is very doable, especially since I'm guessing he/she is 60+ (giving the mention of Social Security)"
...or union
I left 12/28. I miss Verizon terribly. I don’t sleep at nights, I miss all the fun and miss the quality leadership the most. Hahaha. Wrong!!!! I feel like I’ve died and gone to heaven. Once you’re out, you realize how bad it truly was.
LMCIer !2/28, Haven't regretted it one bit. Never had any complaints of my managers over the years, can't say the same for upper management though. Since leaving I realize now how ready I was to get out.
Been doing bucket list motorcycle trips, loving it.
After 35 years having $2 million saved for retirement is totally doable especially with Verizon's generous match and profit sharing.
people that leave always say they are doing better when they leave
the truth is useally a mix of people who take worse jobs, can't find a job and actually got better jobs
2 million in your 401k? How many years did you have 35 40 I call b*
$1,026,731.59 in the 401K today, before that nice gain today in Vz stock. Another $1.2M in Vanguard funds. 35 years. No BS.
@1qfv - He said 401K and vanguard...so the entire $2M is not just 401k. I think that is very doable, especially since I'm guessing he/she is 60+ (giving the mention of Social Security)
Took me three months and a complete rework of my resume (changing from "abstract" explanations of what I did to really detailed work, down to the model of routers and switches I worked on) and landed a contracting gig. Took about a $12,000 pay cut though. Recruiters low ball you and are the scum of the earth, but I needed to get back to work. Get to pocket 8 months of severance anyway. And my new job is MUCH less stress and 100% work from home. Don't miss Verizon one bit.
2 million in your 401k? How many years did you have 35 40 I call b*
March 22, not working another day in 2019. Enjoying life to the fullest every day since I left!!!
Retired. Invested the payout, will be living off Social Security, Pension, and dividends from $2M in 401K and Vanguard. Life's good, don't miss Vz one bit. Lots of friends who stayed on, lunch once in a while, they're envious, to put it mildly. Lol.
3/22 still retired haven’t looked for a job yet loving life. My family say I am much happier less stressed. I agree, am detoxing from the years of mental abuse. No $ is worth what I endured for so long
3/22 VSP. Lower pay, less responsibility. No longer on call. Will look to go back into a leadership role in 2020. For now I am detoxing from Verizon
12/28er, took a month off and got in with a direct competitor...same compensation, closer to home and the culture / morale is night and day. Best decision I ever made.
3/22 band 6 VSPer....spent Oct-Mar getting additional SW certifications. Ended up getting a job with the SW company with a pay increase.
"@iah : just curious since you brought it up , what was your 401k?" - @hnu
My 401(k) was a retirement savings plan sponsored by my employer. It lets workers save and invest a piece of their paycheck before taxes are taken out. Taxes aren't paid until the money is withdrawn from the account.
I was a Rebadged ESP, so didn't leave on my own. The bad part with ESP was they could give you the one month notice anytime
I was mainly looking for full time jobs and contract to hire. The process for full time is very slow. The market is however very good. I had 4 different offers in a month. I accepted a full time position with a small increase in compensation from a SMTS position at Verizon. Have not been on the job for long to form a opinion but people seem to be much more positive
I haven’t started looking for a job. I am loving the time off. I feel like a million $$ after leaving Verizon. I have PTSD just thinking about all the abuse I suffered working there. Any job would be better even with less money.
Give it up. Of course people are happier. Job or no job. More money or less money. We all have lives now. No more immoral management ruining our lives.
@iah : just curious since you brought it up , what was you 401k ?
New job, similar skill tech set required, lower pay, but definitely livable and worth the lower stress.
What is the point OP? Some will be happier, some will not. Some will be going for jobs, some will be staying retired. Some regret it, some do not. Of those that work again, some jobs will pay more, some will not, some will be funner, some will not...
3/22'er. According to my wife, I have become the housewife I've always wanted. Thanks to years of maxing out my 401K and savings investments, I will never have to clock in anywhere again and am still young enough to have a great time not going to work. People warned me I'd get bored, but so far I run out of day before I run out of stuff to do
It’s all based on skills you’re carrying forward beyond vzw. I got lucky, landed a job quickly. Non toxic environment, respect for work life balance, bosses that actually have a plan. VZW used to be a great place to work, maybe they’ll return there some day, I am glad I don’t have to live through that any longer.
Took the VSP. My career ended in March and I decided to retire. Obviously I have too much time on my hands I keep coming back here to see what is happening next!