Thread regarding AT&T layoffs

@1eki, thanks from one ‘old folk’ to another. Many of the "young folk" think they have a monopoly on hard work, or the misperception their job just might be saved if we pack it in and go away, a ridiculous concept.

And yes, my boss new I was considering retirement, without a package, and suggested (in a round about fashion) that we might need "some experienced hands" with an upcoming re-org....it happened, I’m still here until I’m not!

@ofl, thanks for the total obvious when the mere obvious would suffice. So now it’s time for full

Let’s first put aside the possibility we "older folks" are not waiting for a severance package, or perhaps even the Medical Benefits that helps treat chronic ailments when we have a better income to pay for them.
Let’s put aside the fact that many of us are just born workers who are built this way, and many of us are, so we continue to use our skills and tricks of the trade.
Let’s put aside that many of us stay on because your bosses have asked us to ‘mentor’ many of the "younger folk" a bit longer....and don’t kid yourself, They Do!

Have you ever once stopped to wonder how we "older folks" have survived 25-35 years or longer under a curtain of layoffs? Which by the way was no stranger to us in the 90’s and 2000’s.....we survived because we do our jobs, we don’t whine or complain to our managers, and we don’t throw our co-worker under the bus when they fail to do their job but the heat is focused on us!

Ok, I promised full disclosure....sometimes I hear co-workers, much like yourself, say you wish we were gone (and if you survive, you will eventually hear it too) so I get up everyday, go to work and look you all straight in the eyes and say, "Don’t you just wish you were retired?"

Oh, the looks I get.....

Of1 - Not all outsourced jobs have the employee rebadged to the outsourced company. To get bigger reductions today more jobs are offshored and the employee severed with standard severance package. At&T finds they can get good technical people in Mexico. India, etc for $20k/year

If you older folks are waiting for termination pay, you will be waiting forever. The days of that is OVER. Why would T pay you all that money to leave, when all they have to do is outsource your job, and then let the outsourced company trim the fat.

Let's see, 20 years with ATT, only debt I have is my house and I can pay that off if i want. Pension and 401k. Moved to IBM, new position, new skillsets.

While at ATT had few bad years due one former manager, but mostly good times, worked from home 100%, boss supported WFH. ABLE to do things during work hrs, leave a bit early for school events, log in later to finish work, etc.

Position and skill at my IBM job marketable, no matter the company manage your career. Good luck everyone.

The OP is filled with sweeping generalities. Not a good post at all.

I’m around 40 with around 20 years and I’m staying until I can retire or they show me the door. AT&T may not be my dream job but I’m not running away from benefits, good salary and plenty of paid time off. Every year I can extend my career the 401k and pension grow and I pay down more debt while getting my kid closer to self sufficient and off my payroll. I’ll admit you don’t see a lot of “younger” employees around here but I think that’s because the company hasn’t hired on a large scale since 1999/2000. I honestly believe that for those that survive these cuts and make it past 2020, you’ll make a career out of this place. Don’t let a bunch of trolls that got let go or panicked and jumped ship convince you the sky is falling. A lot of the employees over 55 will retire soon enough creating more opportunities for younger ones looking to stick around.

Don’t sell yourself short. I’m 53 with 15 years at ATT. I started looking outside of ATT just a couple weeks ago. I’ve had several interviews and when they ask my salary goals, they’re like “yeah that’s not a problem”. I have two final interviews to move from a L2 position at ATT to Director positions with two different companies. There’s LOTS of opportunity outside of ATT. Don’t stay and be miserable, use your experience and talents for something better.

Found a job at 55. Worked 20 years at t. Kept my skills up on my own and not through any micro or nano degree because I saw how t treats people that are getting closer to the mr75 rule. Taking the pension buyout and will be free of the att disease after I pay my last wireless phone off. if you kept your skills up with the industry you can find job and make more money no matter what age. The problem is att thinks they are retraining their workers for new technology and they really aren’t and looks like it is just to make senior management happy. Mentally I am no different than I was at 30 and better because I have seen more wot experience. I am about 30 to 40 seconds slower running a mile though but I am making progress closing that gap lol

TIme the retired in place baby boomers get out and make way for others, they had their time. The two boomers running things now, randy and the stank, messed things up good.

I am 32 yrs old, been here since i was 25, i like it here. Benefits are solid. My vacations are great. I have 23 days. I can take off whenever. My job is easy, my pay is higher than the market outside... only fear is the constant lay off, anything else like driving everyday for work, i can set aside.. who knows wfh may happen again. Its just a cycle.

Im just gonna chill.

I’m over 55 and just became mr72 eligible. I’m not taking the mvo because it’s insulting given the current economy and current severance plan. I have a viable plan b that I work at the same time I’m with t. If I get laid off I’ll jump into it full time. It’s not a conflict with t. I’ll stay until either t offers a sweetened “mvo” or they lay me off. Financially we will be ok. Low debt, wife works kids are out of home and college. I still prefer to stay until I’m ready to go (target 5 years) but if the stars are aligned I may retire (I won’t resign) and do techie work part time or contract while running my side business.

LOL. I'm mid-30's and the only one under 50 left in my group. Been watching the job market, but T's benefits and pay are hard to beat for my job. So, I'm still here just trying not to get canned.

Yes, the 200,000 people at AT&T under 50 are all leaving. That's some good facts you are bringing.

A lot of truth in the post. I am 60+, biding my time and drawing a paycheck while keeping benefits. Would love to leave but at this age employers know you are short term and hesitate to hire you and the wage would be significantly less. I am not stressed by threat of layoffs as I now have a plan on how to live off my retirement savings and get benefits until 65. Good luck to all. If I were younger, under 40 I wouldn't put up with AT&T any longer