I've been a dedicated hard-working company man for nearly 40 years, with the last 22+ years in AT&T. Since hiring on, I've watched the growing escalation of surplus, outsourcing, layoffs, strikes/strike threats, and numerous large and small re-organizations. With all this, and to where this has now led today, I truly feel that I have been forced into being 'retired in place'. Why would a company that seems to be made out as though its hair is on fire do such a thing to their dedicated workforce that delivers? Busy work, no real projects, nothing worthy to work on. Just sit around and check retirement investments and consider what would life be like when they finally find me and kick me out with whatever method of terminating me will be. I could easily work 10 more years, staying active, keeping my head in the game, and continue being a successful quality contributor to the bottom line..., if only I had something to work on, and was treated like I wasn't discarded off into the pasture. Who else out here feels the same way?
15 replies (most recent on top)
If you are defending the company on this, you are certainly a troll! Performance and value to the company mean nothing in a surplus. They run a formula and put in stats like salary, pension eligible, location etc. and then tell your TD who is gone. If they actually based a surplus on performance, I wouldn’t have such a problem with it as I do believe there is a lot of dead wood.
I totally agree. This company has been ruthless with layoffs/outsourcing/offshoring aimed at older employees in many cases. If they aren't dedicated to their employees then we have no reason to be dedicated to them. It's just a job anymore with no career. Just milk the old cash cow all you can!!
There will be plenty of startups which might value you for your experience and relations.
It is pretty funny how 1yvs and other trolls come here to defend T and upper management, but just think how their comments appear to someone considering working here.
Their Pro T Bully arguments that illustrate how a prospective employee will be treated here damage the reputation of T and their management more than any comment from anyone on this board here
that are trash talking this company.
Don’t worry as long as you still get your paycheck. Take the red stapler and move to the basement.
1yvs - you assume that everyone is evaluated by their immediate superior prior to a layoff - usually, the decisions are made 3-4 layers removed from the working conditions, based solely on costs (salary, insurance costs, pension costs, etc)
wow the last two posts really tell the environment at att. what a joke. now go beat google lol.
The people above you are trying to win. So they are seen as an asset to their boss and their org. If you are someone they see as being able to win with, they will do their best to find a spot for you. You make or break the value other see in you in all that you say and do. Why is this such a difficult concept for people to grasp? I and others I know have survived several mergers and reorgs and each time landed just fine because of being seen as an asset that can help those above win. It’s on you. Always has been and always will be.
Might be time for a self awareness check. If you are seeing yourself as more valuable than the company is seeing you it’s on you. You are not a victim of circumstances you are a product of your own decisions. You personal brand and reputation is created solely by you. It is your responsibility to create the perception of you that you want others to have. I’m sorry but you may feel like you have kept up and are still an asset and able to contribute, but if others see it differently than you are out of touch. Take the money. Good run and nothing to be ashamed of. We all lose a step or few. Don’t get bitter, get better. And stop victimizing yourself. You are not a victim.
Anybody who defends the company against the op is a troll and should have their posts banned. The poster is sharing his real life experience and you people put him down like he deserved this treatment. What is wrong with you people. Merry Christmas to you and yours I hope you have a great Christmas. Because some people won’t and I don’t know how you look yourselves in the mirror.
Typical arrogant answer from someone in upper management so out of touch with the organization, ymx.
I've done some financial work for people at AT&T and Verizon.. and I keep seeing this issue. Sad to see how they find ways to push the hard working vets out of the office and freeze pensions. Probably want to pay less to the new guys and get the pensions off their balance sheet.
I have never settled for no work. No one is forced to retire in place. Look for another job in career path. Speak with your boss and or make something up to do. I never sat there for extensive times with nothing to do. When I did have downtime. I did work on getting myself ready for the next big push by training, getting organized, networking, etc.
If you were truly hard working for all that time retiring in place will only leave you feeling unworthy. Pick yourself up and get moving.
Being discarded to the pasture is the quickest way to the door.
I suppose it all depends on what you do.
For instance, my group has enough projects on the table to keep us very busy for at least the next decade. These are regional projects associated with CRE building sales and / or the conversion of outdated equipment and systems.
The concern is If the company keeps paring down headcount, we'll eventually have more work than we can keep up with and when you can't keep pace with the project requirements, well, you know what happens next . . . . .
Be careful your post might get deleted because stating fact is bashing the company.