Thread regarding AT&T layoffs

We’re broke. As a result, we are making a Management Voluntary Offer (MVO) to eligible ATO & GCSC managers. Here are a few of the key details: Your fired

Supply chain got the same offer yesterday

@122v06tP-kpm, hope you don’t mind me copy-pasting this:

Employees who band together to discuss topics such as working conditions, benefits, wages, seniority and scheduling generally are protected by rights conferred by the National Labor Relations Act of 1935. The NLRA codifies employees' rights to share information with co-workers, particularly if they are discussing these matters to present their own proposal to management or if they are considering union representation to address these issues with their employers. Concerted activity usually occurs among a group of workers who have a community of interest, meaning they are similarly situated and affected by the same working conditions.

Social Media
The U.S. National Labor Relations Board is monitoring developments related to concerted activity via social media. The right to engage in concerted activity doesn't mean simply two or more employee huddled in the break room commiserating over their pay and benefits. Employees who use social networking sites, such as Facebook, also may be protected under the National Labor Relations Act, according to the NLRB's August 2011 "Report of the Acting General Counsel Concerning Social Media Cases." Posting comments about working conditions, wages, unfair treatment and similar topics often garners support from the employee's co-workers, which is why the right to concerted activity is extended beyond employees being in the same physical location to exercise their rights.

Source: https://work.chron.com/legal-protections-allow-workers-discuss-wages-hours-working-conditions-coworkers-17807.html

I’m so desensitized, I almost don’t care anymore.

Anyone happen to know if you can sign up for your 30 days of unpaid voluntary time off after taking the MVO? I got a better paying job lined up that wants to start me ASAP. Put in an inquiry to the Q&A link this afternoon, not sure when they'll respond.

By offering severance you can collect unemployment!

"This MVO is good only for people who can find a job by Dec 30"

""That's not true. I would have 6 months to find a new job at the first of the year. Same pay, same benefits for the first 6 months (assuming max severance). Any time before that is up would be a bonus. Sure, it shrinks over time, but it is not 0 on Dec 30.""

What part of the above you don't understand? As I stated once you are forced out, you can look for job as well. If you can find a job by Dec 30, that's an ideal situation to be in. You get a bonus of 6 months salary (if you have 13 plus years of service) and a comparable job! Understand it's very difficult to find a job with out a job!

Good luck all!

WOW, did AT&T perfect firing, outsourcing, and low morale so well that it’s now considered a trade secret? Congrats innovating misery Randall.

It might be marked proprietary, but it's not a trade secret or CPNI or anything that must be kept secret. It's not even embarrassing to the company, though buzzwords and lies are pretty lame.

I wouldn't take it for the following reasons. One, there isn't any additional benefit vs involuntary severance. Two, if you take it and the company accepts, you will not be eligible for unemployment benefits. Third, if you ask for it and don't get it, you have signaled to the company you want to leave. Fourth, you are better off to keep working, get involuntary severance and then be eligible for unemployment.

"I know this is an anonymous site - but I have a real problem with the cut & paste of a Proprietary company communication. "

The more the Company is allowed to keep secrets, the more control they maintain over you. If you're an employee of AT&T and have seen the pattern of being screwed over year after year, can you really blame folks for sharing information ?

It's the only way you're going to be able to make an informed decision.

Cease treating your employees like disposable garbage and they -might- start caring about your rules concerning information not designed for public release.

it' s not a popular comment but I've always wondered why employees share company news on a public site when IT IS against the company's policy to do so. Too lazy to summarize it or what?

"This MVO is good only for people who can find a job by Dec 30"

That's not true. I would have 6 months to find a new job at the first of the year. Same pay, same benefits for the first 6 months (assuming max severance). Any time before that is up would be a bonus. Sure, it shrinks over time, but it is not 0 on Dec 30.

Same as regular severance package. HR person confirmed that there is no change to severance pay if you are forced out next year if your department doesn't meet the required MVO takers.
This MVO is good only for people who can find a job by Dec 30 (note one has to accept the offer by Dec 5 but can revoke it by Dec 30 and stay with the company) or who is planning to retire or who already has another offer. Otherwise it's better to wait to get forced out... The management does the final say whether they will accept depending up on their needs. So, all MVO acceptances will not necessarily be accepted...

I know this is an anonymous site - but I have a real problem with the cut & paste of a Proprietary company communication.

No issues with discussing ones opinion about what’s going on - as I too feel the pain too and am d*mned sick of what’s been going on.

But thats no reason to lose ones integrity by violating company policy.

Announcing the ATO and GCSC Management Voluntary Offer

To: Select level 1-4 U.S.-based ATO and GCSC managers — please do not forward, this message is meant specifically for you

AT&T Technology and Operations (ATO) and Global Connections & Supply Chain (GCSC) work hard every day to meet our customers' needs in this rapidly changing environment. To continue on this path and be successful, we must consistently ensure our workforce is aligned with the needs of the business, our customers and market demands. All of which is central to driving efficiency and managing costs.

As a result, we are making a Management Voluntary Offer (MVO) to eligible ATO & GCSC managers. Here are a few of the key details:
MVO participants receive a voluntary resignation benefit based on the terms of the severance plan (up to 6 months of pay, based on years of service). Participants must sign a General Release and Waiver to receive the voluntary resignation benefit.
Bonus-eligible employees receive a prorated payout in 2020, if applicable.
You may elect to participate by completing the Management Voluntary Offer Election form — see link below. Your election to participate in the MVO opens November 15, 2019, and must be made no later than 11:59 p.m. CT on December 5, 2019.
Last day on the payroll will be December 30, 2019, unless the company and selected participants agree to delay departure (also referred to as "metering") to a later date as determined by your business unit.
Retirement-eligible participants receive applicable benefits.
Job transition services and the opportunity to defer the severance payment will not be available.
We expect to honor most, if not all, MVO elections. However, based on the needs of the business there may be limited instances where elections may not be accepted.
If there are not enough MVO volunteers there may be a need, in some organizations, to move into an involuntary surplus.

And they want to attract talent how? Everyone sees the downward spiral the company is in because of websites like this, year after year of layoffs and outsourcing at every corner of the company who the hell wants to sign up for that?

I will take 6 mo, I believe that after this 2019 year, any MVO will be 2 - 3 mo sev. I think its a nice pipe dream that 1 year sev, or the unthinkable of up to 2 yrs sev, yeah, no, not buying it, however awesome that would be indeed.

Shocked by how many of you are speculating about "enhanced" severance...what would make you think they are going to be offering that ?? (88 weeks? 2 YEARS??).

The offer will be standard severance, which most of you know CAPS at 6 months and goes down from there.

As a 20+ year management person, I seriously hope I am wrong. If I was offered a year I would take it in a heartbeat. 6 months won't do it. I'll take my chances with the Ax in 1Q.

So many over the last 2 weeks kept saying fake news, guess their crystal ball is cloudy and the original poster(s) weeks ago, their "little birds" had it right. Lets all get ready for the big surplus in Q1 2020, Happy New Year.

Customer demand lol good one.

Yeah right. Good luck with that.

Heard it may be enhanced offer. 2 weeks for every year of service up to 88 weeks

Agreed, 2 years severance would do for most of us.

Guaranteed surplus action coming. Duh - no surprise. When your company does NOT sell anything unique or compelling - that's a recipe for downsizing. The same downsizing trajectory AT&T has been on for over a DOZEN YEARS! Sad that leadership can't turn the ship around. AT&T leadership is certainly below, well below average.

If they make it as sweet as the last VZ MVO, they probably wouldn’t have to worry about a surplus for the next 10 years.