Thread regarding AT&T layoffs

This is actually a more complex than many people realize. AT&T had over 300 office locations. They hired employees in those locations for professional jobs like engineering, product development, IT, HR, accounting, legal, etc.
In addition, AT&T announced a goal to have over 50% of non customer facing positions as permanent work from home a few years ago so that they could save money on office space. You weren’t given an option to work in an office in most jobs that were designated as perm wfh except for a max of 5 days per month. Based on this employees invested their own money in creating a professional home office. Some who were designated perm work from home relocated with their managers approval to a city they wanted to live.
They are consolidating down to 9 cities.
The employees don’t choose between the remaining 9 locations. The city they are going to be required to live in will depend on what department they work in. So employees who were hired in one location years ago are being told move to a specific city or you will lose your job. They receive an official letter telling them where they must now live with a deadline. In some departments, over 40% of employees are being told they have to move.
For those who have a spouse, if they do relocate, the spouse will have to resign from their job. Kids have to be uprooted from their friends /schools etc. Some people have joint custody of children or care for elderly parents so they aren’t able to relocate even if they want to.
No relocation money is provided except in a few special situations. Most of those who can’t or won’t move will get no severance pay, like you would with a lay off.
AT&T has laid off over 40% of their employees so those who might relocate under normal conditions are now not interested in uprooting their lives, knowing they may get laid off a month later.

This person doesn't understand that this is not what is actually happening company wide.
Fact... Letters were sent out last week that told thousands of employees point-blank that if they didn't move to specific location (city was specified in the letter) they would not have a job.
In addition, hundreds of training and development professionals who write AT&T training courses were told that their jobs are being outsourced starting Dec. 1st.
This company is in crisis. Even those who aren't affected by layoffs are jumping ship. No one wants to move. Why would anyone move for a company they can't trust anymore?
It's round after round after round of layoffs. It used to be just once a year and that was bad enough. Now it's every quarter.
AT&T used to be a great place to work. This is sad.

Does the person who wrote this feel bad for the inaccuracies?

This past didn’t age well. 😂

But every time I find a decent chair someone steals it! Buy some new chairs already! And dual 27in monitors!

Hearing that the managers not office bound could become contractors, if their position still exists, after the next shake up takes place.

Yes. 3 days a week RTO. Make it difficult for those not going on thier own terms. Hub city focus in play for management for next rounds beyond June.

“ Just announced that Tuesday Stankey will be making a company wide announcement of RTO and hub locations. This is not BS or a drama post. Just trying to be helpful to the community here”

If you know that much than you must know what the official policy is, perhaps you can elaborate?

My Occupancy Indicator says I am a “Virtual Worker” not “FOW”. Be curious to see what changes will come my way!

Just announced that Tuesday Stankey will be making a company wide announcement of RTO and hub locations. This is not BS or a drama post. Just trying to be helpful to the community here.

Couple of things going on with the RTO. For the old leaders, the office is/was their arena where they received all their success. They believe this where real work happens. They never work at home if they don't have too. Also - I would assume ATT received some tax breaks from the towns/cities for having an office. Now, the cites are pushing ATT for RTO so they can get their tax money.

Workers don't want to RTO 5 days a week - they will just get a job else where.

Work has also changes - all meetings are web ex/ Teams. So you go to the office and have a meeting with your co workers in the office but everyone is sitting at their desks!
Sharing your screen is the new white board.

When is this effective? Do you think it will go over well? Will people be able to readjust their lives to accommodate office life again?

Sounds like they are trying to get people to either come to the office or just retire on their own. Easy way to not have to lay people off and pay them 6 months severance.

“If fto is better then why not 5 days a week. Not sure I get the logic.”

Because if you only go three days a week then you are expected to use drop in space and won’t get an assigned dedicated cube. They spent money on drop in spaces. Someone’s gonna use them darn it.

That’s the same way it was conveyed to my group.

Maybe the plan is to lure everyone back with 3 days in the office. Then change it from 3 to 5 days in the office. Very sneakie, but effective. Remember, Stankey has promised all the bars and restaurants that he would help restore their lunch business.

To the person who says it won’t be enforced, wrong. Bad swipes and Ethernet usage are now being monitored and reported. Failure to comply will leave to disciplinary actions

all pointless because management is not going to enforce it. never have, never will

This is good. Remote employees will benefit from collaboration with workers in other BUs at physical locations close to them. This will be good for everyone.

If fto is better then why not 5 days a week. Not sure I get the logic.

Thank you for clearing this up! From the sounds of it, nothing major.

“ What do FOW and FTO stand for?”

Flex Office Worker and Full Time Office. Look in Webphone or MOOSE to see your designation.

same directors that tell you jobs are safe and then lay you off next week?

It’s all about micromanaging everyone because the company will never trust its employees.

We literally provide all of the services to work remotely, but refuse to use them. On top of that, the company wants us to sell the products we refuse to use to other customers.

What do FOW and FTO stand for?

Why bother with RTO? It a real watered down version! 3 days a week, again why bother?

Good info this sounds more reasonable than the other rumors. Thanks for posting.