#communication

Only about one more month until CS moves to china. I work in APLA and writing is on the wall that we will be dissolved as a geo as of fy 2027. CS HAS BEEN the steady ship we've needed and has made apla an incredible place to work, I'm very excited for her but nervous for this change. Anyone have any info?

CEO Andy Jassy faces criticism for a perceived lack of investor communication and strategic vision, especially concerning the return on heavy AI investments, leading some to call for leadership change.

https://www.techmonitor.ai/leadership/workforce/ibm-dinobabies-age-discrimination-case?cf-view

The documents showed communications between two executives, in which one “applauds the use of the disparaging term ‘dinobabies’” to describe the older IBM employees as part of a “plan to oust them from IBM’s workforce”. According to the court documents, “he describes his plan to ‘accelerate change by inviting the dinobabies (new species) to leave’ and make them an ‘extinct species‘”.

Both executives, whose names and positions were redacted in the filing, have since left IBM. Other documents referred to the company’s “dated maternal workforce” and called for IBM to “shift headcount mix towards greater percent of early professional hires.”

They settled this in 2022 and yet we are seeing IBM's desire to reduce staff and pay based on age, s-x, race, skin color get WORSE after a settled lawsuit on this?! Hire with little to know experience but tell the world experienced people are no longer needed because we have AI now and everybody knows 20 somethings know AI better than the dinobabies who built their skills over decades of dedication to IBM?

Has anyone heard from Callie since she destroyed TFB?

That’s according to the release. It feels like a never ending losing streak.

Does anyone else find the Business and Distribution teams keep losses to themselves and only announce client wins… however small, if at all.

Another large loss in my country… I found out from around the industry and not from anyone in the company.

Wow if you search Corporate Risk In-Office FAQs in teamworks, they are posted - right down to guidelines on how long to stay in focus rooms.

I was under the impression we’d agreed to keep Friday afternoons clear. I’d stepped away for an hour, having not had any meaningful work come through all week, only to return to a stream of messages and requests for urgent, cancel everything else 4pm meetings.

This evolves around items that have been outstanding for weeks! If they weren’t time-critical on Monday, it’s hard to see why they’ve become so this late on a Friday.

Stop panic managing everything!!! Or at least say - we don't need you until Friday afternoon, then we want 30hours solid! But no I am not working all weekend to catch up on someone else's bad planning. Another day makes no odds other than your stupid status tracker.

A email was sent regarding a meeting that is supposedly coming up with the new Operations Senior Director. Per the email, the new Operations Senior Director wants to get “acquainted with our business”. Any ideas of on what this could mean? No date has been set for the meeting yet, just an email saying it will be soon.

Missed the first 20 minutes. Did I really miss anything of substance?

Software/program that basically makes Ramesh sound like Bob? Not their exact words, but basically what they were getting at. What a slap in the face to our global partners also, if the language barrier is having such an impact on our business or you’re embarrassed that you hire offshore individuals maybe you should consider changing your business practices. SMH - how embarrassing

Everyone was eagerly awaiting the plan reveal February 5th. That didn't happen. Now what? We all operate in confusion without direction? Will it ever be shared? Crazy. You can't make this stuff, this place gets more and more insane every day.

A lot of you have probably faced issues working with offshore where they shirk tasks, overexaggerate their impact, and usually expect their American counterparts to pick up the slack they create. I spoke up about this during my manager 1:1 specifically about how tasks assigned to offshore ended up being done by onshore 60-75% of the time, BACKED UP WITH ACTUAL SCREENSHOTS FROM ACCESS LOGS AS PROOF THEY HAVEN'T BEEN THE ONES WORKING ON TICKETS. The response? "Well you get paid more than offshore so the expectations are a little different." WTF? The whole point of offshoring from the corporate suits perspective is to save money to get the same amount of work done. If they get let off the hook for subpar work quality AND quantity because they get paid less, then why not just keep the same American employees that were delivering more proportional to how much more they were getting paid, while avoiding the communication issue, work culture differences, and time zone barriers? The only thing keeping this company going despite pivoting towards people who get 1/5 of the work done for 1/4 of the price is the fact that the onshore side is willing to shoulder the extra burden because of the sh-t job market.

Is it unusual that the reviews were delayed by a week the day before they were scheduled to be released? We weren’t given any explanation for the change.

Just in case anyone is wondering how organized this project is. But not to fear -- the packet confidently tells me I can ask my boss about any questions I have. I have every confidence she will be a great resource to me.

I wonder what they called it -- something joyful and upbeat no doubt -- Project Sunshine, perhaps?

With just weeks from the typical grant date, the answer given on the AE&O (GNT) all-hands today is that…the board has not decided on the fate of the program yet.

The writing is on the wall
RIP
2021-2025

Is it just me or does anyone else feel like we now work in an alternate universe? It’s like a new operating manual has gone out to a select few as to how we all should behave and function in our roles and interact with others and none of it makes any sense at all? I constantly feel like I am being gas-lit.

Even senior leaders appear unable to credibly defend the current direction. All-hands meetings lack conviction, and there is a widespread belief that employees are being financially and professionally constrained with little effort to soften the message.

I know a few have asked. I received a letter in the mail yesterday detailing my bonus information. I was not contacted via email, phone or anything in workday.

Due to “unforeseen circumstances”

I know my success at Verizon or any job was attitude and adaptation.  It was also how quickly I could get good at the next challenge and make the changes I needed that would help me win.  Sounds easy, but it requires a full buy-in and positive mindset.  So far, what has changed?  Are we sold on the direction and does leadership value our buy-in?  I think transparency is a key to moving forward and calming fears.  I don't think this leadership team has shown anything of the sort.  It's easy to tell a future failed leader by both actions and inaction.  If the entire team isn't on board then "you ain't winning".  We are lost and a plan hasn't even been clearly laid out for our success.  Again, the company is trying to do this without us.  Only when we are a team and valued will we succeed.  Hate to break the news... we are still not valued.  They count on us to do the lifting but don't give us reason, respect or credit.  When the employees are here for more than a paycheck you win.  When we are here for the team and to help Verizon win then we will become a different company.  When leadership fights FOR us and makes US first then and only then will Verizon change and become a leader.  This leader failed in his first message and it's been downhill from there. 

Anyone impacted by Dec 2025 layoffs still waiting to hear from HR? This is getting ridiculous at this point. No official notice if layoff (just the verbal convo with manager) - no severance notice, no box for laptop.

Following are brief recommendations on how Managers may approach Strategic Realignment discussions with associates:

1. Opening Remarks (Smile, but not too much)

• “Thank you all for joining today’s discussion about our exciting next phase.”
• “This initiative is part of our commitment to agility, efficiency, and other words that sound positive but mean ‘change is coming.’”
• “I want to reassure you that this is not a layoff. It is a realignment. The difference is mostly semantic, but Legal insists we say it.”

1. Key Messages to Deliver (Without Laughing)
   A. “We are evolving as an organization.”
   This means:
   We are eliminating roles, but we’re calling it evolution so it sounds like nature’s fault.
   B. “We are aligning talent with business needs.”
   This means:
   Some of you are no longer aligned with the business.
   Or the business is no longer aligned with you.
   Either way, alignment is ending.
   C. “We are optimizing our global footprint.”
   This means:
   Your job is moving to a place where the company pays people in gratitude and snacks.
   D. “We are committed to transparency.”
   This means:
   We will tell you everything we can, except the things we can’t, which are most things.

2. How to Answer Employee Questions (Without Actually Answering)
   Q: “Is my job safe?”
   A: “Great question. What I can say is that every role is being evaluated for future alignment.”
   (Translation: No.)
   Q: “Why did my performance rating drop?”
   A: “We’re using a new calibration model to ensure fairness and consistency.”
   (Translation: We needed numbers.)
   Q: “Why didn’t we issue a WARN notice?”
   A: “We are fully compliant with all regulations and are executing changes in a phased, thoughtful manner.”
   (Translation: We sliced the layoffs into tiny pieces like a corporate ninja.)
   Q: “Why is my role moving to Pune?”
   A: “We’re leveraging global centers of excellence to maximize efficiency.”
   (Translation: Labor arbitrage.)
   Q: “Why do I have to return to the office when my team is remote?”
   A: “RTO strengthens collaboration and culture.”
   (Translation: Attrition tool.)

3. Tone Guidance (HR Requires This Section)

• Be empathetic, but not so empathetic that employees think you can help them.
• Be supportive, but not so supportive that employees think you know what’s going on.
• Be confident, but not so confident that employees think you’re safe either.
• Avoid humor, unless it’s the unintentional kind created by corporate jargon.

1. Phrases You Must Use (Even If They Make No Sense)

• “Future‑ready workforce”
• “Talent optimization”
• “Cross‑functional agility”
• “Global alignment”
• “Strategic redeployment”
• “Enhanced operational cadence”
• “Employee‑centric transition pathways”
• “Right‑sizing for long‑term success”
  (Note: Do not use the word “layoff.” HR will appear behind you like a ghost.)

1. Phrases You Must Avoid (At All Costs)

• “Layoff”
• “Firing”
• “Job elimination”
• “Cost‑cutting”
• “Offshoring”
• “WARN Act”
• “Unemployment insurance”
• “My badge didn’t work this morning either”

1. Closing Script (Read Slowly, With Forced Optimism)

• “I want to thank each of you for your continued dedication during this exciting period of transformation.”
• “We are confident that this realignment will position us for long‑term success.”
• “Please check Workday for updates to your role, location, reporting structure, job title, and employment status.”
• “If you have questions, please reach out to HR. They have been fully briefed on how to not answer them.”

1. Manager Reminder
   If anyone asks you a question you don’t know how to answer, simply say:
   “We’re still finalizing details.”
   This phrase is legally safe, emotionally neutral, and universally applicable.

Heads up everyone. It’s happening starting tomorrow. If you see communication to get as much work done before end of sprint then be prepared for RIF right after.

This is the least he can do .. Even Hans used to take questions or redirect to someone..

Not interested in one way monologue on AI

Can someone explain to me what the he-l two hubs is supposed to mean? Is this some sort of wagon wheel analogy? WTF is he talking about when he says this?

Still no news of AIP payout quantum? Whats taking them so long to share with the employees?? Hmm.

They are waiting for employer verification info. Haven't been issued a single payment and don't see any VZ contact info in the package regarding a contact for this specific issue. I've emailed VZ HR several times without response. Anybody else running into this or have a different contact? Monday I'll start making calls. Not desperate here but it would be nice to be getting the $$$ back from the system I've paid into for decades.

Anyone else who was laid off on 12/19 get their cell phone shut off? I tried calling 800-922-0204 and it referred me to the VZ internal website that I can no longer access

When will they provide an updated list of commutable zip codes?

Had a 1:1 with my manager and was given a heads-up about another round of layoffs.

Money coming doesn't look very good, so Intel has to do more with less.

My manager doesn't know many details except that it's coming. Too low in the chain to be privileged with more details.

Anyone had comp conversations already?
Why not a single email from Deanne K? Why bonus is a bit later this year? And when is the stock grant?

I thought Dan talking about global and national madness before getting to VZ was quite clever. Puts things in context. VZ madness didn’t feel too bad and kinda expected after hearing all that.

Little manipulative but I guess visionaries have to be little manipulative too

Spend 30 minutes on AI, but you "have 5 minutes to get through 8 things". You literally just acted like running out of time is a valid excuse to not share the "Dan Plan". What a joke.

HR and the higher-ups simply don't understand where we are coming from. No more speaking from emotion. We HAVE to speak in buzz words and LEGAL TERMS.

Let's talk about how "we are in the best position this company has ever been in"

How are they notifying people? Is it an Outlook calendar invite? Who is doing the axing? What do they say during the call or the meeting?

Nobody’s talking about the February 12th announcement in Ram’s letter. Very cryptic.
What is it?