Thread regarding AT&T layoffs

Well gee !! that would be downtown Dallas, especially trying to survive the dart train and the streets around the main buildings. I carry 2 pepper sprays and 2 high pitch defense alarms at all times.
I don’t show my mobile when I am in the f dart train, and always aware of my surroundings..
No kidding. Crime has exploded there.

"At least get rid of the sandbaggers first. Make it make some sense."

The company could have used the RTO mandate to their future benefit. Initially leadership would not criticize their own. Over the past 20? Months I've heard leadership up to Level 6 remark on the lack of common sense in play. It's not just you.

I've been there, and it hurts - bad. Take your time, lick your wounds. Then go out there and find something better for yourself. It's out there - all you need to do is find it. Best of luck to you

" Your Boss should have provided a thorough justification, of why they let you go."

1000% incorrect --and they are in fact instructed to do just the opposite.

At will employment means no explanation needs to be given. As you are free to leave at any time without explanation, they are free to terminate at any time without explanation. You might not like it, but those are the facts.

Them getting into a detailed discussion with an employee about "why them" and "why not whomever" is not somewhere they want to or need to be, from a legal perspective.

Hence the pre-written, vanilla script from HR they are provided.

"She pointed out a worker who is fulltime remote but can never be found online except to pop onto Teams to notify us of how busy they are yet never produces a result any of us are aware of. She was given a counseling for unprofessional conduct. This was 2 days after being notified she was being let go, as if she shouldn't be upset about the disparity."

Tacky.

Probably your political views. Which ERGs are you in?

" Your Boss should have provided a thorough justification, of why they let you go."

I would be willing to bet that managers are not allowed by HR to be specific on their reasons for selecting who they did for surplus. Makes lawsuits harder to prove. Nothing to incriminate in legal discovery.
Maybe you didn't rto but it's not worth arguing over. Maybe your manager thinks your ok but prefers others. Could be any of a number of reasons.

Your Boss is who put your name on the surplus list. It is not necessarily based on performance, dedication or fantastic work ethic. It is based on who the Boss would rather keep more than you. Age is now also, a determining factor. Your Boss should have provided a thorough justification, of why they let you go.

Anyone who thinks their direct supervisor had zero input in surplussing them, and is “just as surprised” as they were, is incredibly gullible. They still have the most input in that decision.

Your supervisor might say that, as it is they that have to the dirty work and have the uncomfortable conversation. It’s just the easiest thing for them to say. Blame
It on other people that you won’t be talking to.

Call his boss if it’s really bothering you. Or even go up 2 levels. You won’t get any answers, but may be fun to listen to them squirm.

It makes no sense. A woman on our team was notified her role was being surplussed. Crazy because 7 of us have the same job title and do the same work. She outperformed most of us every day of every week. She pointed out a worker who is fulltime remote but can never be found online except to pop onto Teams to notify us of how busy they are yet never produces a result any of us are aware of. She was given a counseling for unprofessional conduct. This was 2 days after being notified she was being let go, as if she shouldn't be upset about the disparity. Where is the justice? At least get rid of the sandbaggers first. Make it make some sense.

It is a natural response to question “why me”.
Do not take it personally (easier said than done).
Sadly, it’s ALL about cutting headcount.
In the end, ALL T employees are ALL just a number an “expense” that T wants to cut.

Layoffs are not only performance based. Are you paid more, are you older, are you retirement age......don't take it out on yourself...

• not "beloning" at T isn't a bad thing!!

@cs+1jkj4pnc2 that is because in other countries, unlike the US, there are Works Councils that provide significant employee protections. A lot harder to surplus.

You’re lucky, trust me! I was upset and disillusioned as well, but it turned out to be a blessing. F the shithole that is AT&T!

Last two layoffs in our org I was directed that they needed to be my employees NOT in HUB locations.

The reason is that I was going to lose them anyway so why lose twice as many.

I have to nominate three employees as potential candidates for surplus. I cannot nominate an offshore employee. Every Round I am reminded I cannot nominate an offshore employee.

“ You were probably laid off because you are person of color.”

Nope. The post was well written and utilized proper grammar.

The OP didn’t “axe what happen”.

I cannot understand how you and your boss had such differing views of your net worth to at&t. Is there any chance your self image is over-inflated? Asking for a friend.

To the sad pathetic slob doing all the downvoting… you are a miserable POS. Not funny, not clever, just sad.

" I know the layoff wasn’t my boss’s decision..."

You are incorrect about that.

Did you oppose RTO? If so, there is your answer.

org?

OP -- the only thing you have done wrong is think that your job is a measure of your value.

Do you meet the Rule of 75?

Sorry that happened to you. Here is what I would suggest. Start a part time business that pays more than what you would have gotten in unemployment every week , but is flexible enough that you have time during the day to look for work.
Something that would be enjoyable yet flexible. Then write off any applicable business expenses with consultation from your tax professional.

Then when you get full time employment again, you will also have your other business as extra income.

you survived longer than many so consider that in your grief.

On the other hand, things like this just reinforce how stupid the company is. I would gladly change my spot for yours since you seem to care and I don't.

Getting laid off is arguably the best possible endgame for the situation we are all in at AT&T. Look at it as a win. They are going to force the rest of us to resign and get nothing.

with over 90 percent of management still being white . how can you freaking blame dei. you dum--ss.

It's a rating and ranking process, typically done at the Director level but sometimes they include ADs and sometimes it's done above Directors for smaller orgs or whatnot

At this point most organizations are getting cut so hard that good people are the ones now getting cut. There's always been a bit of that when there's a big reorg but these days every org is so thin even a 5% shave cuts down to the meat of the organization. We've been there for a couple years now. You ARE just as good of an employee as you think.

Probably had to pick 3 and he looked at a bunch of factors I’m sure. Who does what, who has certain skills, can this job be dumped on someone else in the team? Who do I have that can take this over? That kind of thing. We will all meet the same fate in the end if we stay, just a when not an if. 40k cuts still coming over the next couple years.

I’m sorry you’re having to go through this. Yes, most of us have been there at least one point in our “ career” at AT&T and/or we will be at some future point. Please do not take it personal. I know it’s hard to shed those feelings, but if three people had to be selected, no matter what…three people are gonna be feeling that way. I’m sure it truly is not anything personal or reflective on your work. I feel bad for the supervisors put in the position to have to number pick. Allow yourself to feel sad but then get right back out there and make things happen. 🙏

You were probably laid off because you’re white, unfortunately they practice racism thru DEI

During this time and age . You were probably laid off because you are person of color.

Just remember, it's tough but it doesn't define your skills, talent or worth. Focus on the next opportunity. There are a lot of stories throughout this board about these scenarios eventually leading to much better opportunities. We've all been there.