Thread regarding AT&T layoffs

“If any of the trolls on this board really work for AT&T, after saying the things you’ve said, you should be ashamed of yourself. Showing no compassion for a person with a special needs child is disgusting. That this company will pay for someone to terminate a pregnancy in another state while disallowing an accommodation for a special needs parent tells me a lot. Your cheering for the employee having to return to work tells me a lot. Evil people working for evil people at an evil company.”

Nice grandstanding there.

One can have compassion for someone that is in a difficult situation and simultaneously understand that you still have to follow the rules. You sound like one of these republicans that has a hard stance in certain issues like abortion and immigration, but quickly looks the other way when it is convenient for you or your kind. “Rules for thee, but not for me”, am I right?

Where do we draw the line here? Should they receive a temporary or permanent exception? I don’t have a special needs child but I have three kids I have to get to work every day in the summer. Is it cool with you if I work remote all summer to handle that while you drive in daily? Thanks for taking one for the team pal, you’re doing well all the way up there on your high horse.

Now commence with the downvotes by the boomer conservatives that think because they’ve worked for the company for 30+ years that they are entitled to the company bending over backwards to accommodate their every whim. Mind you, these are the same people that will rip every new generation for how entitled and spoiled they are. What an absolute joke some of you people are.

" Cr-ppy situation OP, but at least you still have a job. I, as well as hundreds if not thousands of others so far, do not anymore. I'd be happy to drive 60-90 for work if I had an option"

Ummm...maybe find yourself another job?

If any of the trolls on this board really work for AT&T, after saying the things you’ve said, you should be ashamed of yourself. Showing no compassion for a person with a special needs child is disgusting. That this company will pay for someone to terminate a pregnancy in another state while disallowing an accommodation for a special needs parent tells me a lot. Your cheering for the employee having to return to work tells me a lot. Evil people working for evil people at an evil company.

You should have requested a leave of absence many years ago rather than a work accommodation.

The company doesn’t care about you. The company doesn’t care about me. The company doesn’t care about any of us. They never have. They never will.

I am in a dual AT&T household. My spouse was assigned to Atlanta. I am assigned to Dallas. There are no exceptions. We were instead offered the ‘opportunity’ for one us to live in an apartment apart from the other five days a week. No appeals process.

I’m sorry that we are all learning this lesson later than we should. They only ‘care’ to the amount they are legally obliged to. Nothing more. And they never did.

Same with me. I requested an accommodation to take care of my daughter who is autistic and I was denied not once, but twice!

I just want to hit Costco on company time, but I am doing it as a caregiver too.

You got your personal business. I got my personal business. We both lose.

The OP is the epitome of the entitlement we have today.

I think that is the main problem with companies that have employees that stick around for multiple decades, people work for a company that long and they start to believe that they owe you something beyond a salary.

AT&T does not owe you anything other than a paycheck for work performed. All of those things you point out, being a high performer, receiving connection awards, etc, you have already been compensated well for. Those factors do not earn you future employment nor do they earn you flexibility to care for a family member when you should be working. The sooner most people come to terms with these facts, the better for everyone involved.

How is that fair for me that I have to drive in every day and take care of my work, while you get a pass? I have my own issues and challenges outside of work, I don’t see how yours should carry weight over mine or anyone else’s for that matter.

That doesn’t mean I am not compassionate to your struggles, but let’s face it, we all have things in life to deal with. That isn’t your employers fault, their task is to run a business successfully, not cater to your every whim because you feel like you’re entitled to it.

Why do people assume that a business cannot/will not be flexible for certain situations? What is that costing AT&T?

Here is what some of you are missing. The RTO has nothing to do with productivity or collaboration. The one and only reason they're doing it is to push people out any way they can. OPs situation is the perfect scenario for them, when it's not even a choice for an employee, they will have to leave just like AT&T wants them too. Of course they could approve it, but they strategically won't.

OP. If I were you, I'd be applying at other companies for remote positions right now. Not tomorrow, right this minute, close this site and go to LinkedIn and look. It's not so easy out there, but plenty of remote jobs still available.

Cr-ppy situation OP, but at least you still have a job. I, as well as hundreds if not thousands of others so far, do not anymore. I'd be happy to drive 60-90 for work if I had an option.

I’m reading some harsh comments and wish that karma will get some cruel individuals who are lucking any compassion and understanding. I wish you all the worst. May the bad luck hits you soon.

"They can make an accommodation if they want too."

"Why would they want to? This is a business."

Why do people assume that a business cannot/will not be flexible for certain situations? What is that costing AT&T? Nothing. A good business values its employees and takes such concerns into consideration. As a fellow employee, I wish the OP well and I would not personally feel "cheated" if this person was granted the ability to work from home.

Stankey will burn in H LL

But for 16 years you were paid to care for your son at home. Better than what most are allowed. Could be grateful for that I guess.

Ps - I wouldn’t count on any company to care down to the individual level. Much too big.

OP- Your right sadly, AT&T doesn’t care.

I would appeal it and have the doctor(s) stress ALL the reasons (with very detailed explanations) why you must be available for emergencies, etc.

Heartbreaking. So sorry for you and your son. Bottom line with this company is that you're TOO OLD! They don't want employees like you! My husband has been with this company almost 25 years with nothing but excellent service and he won't move across the country for a company who has NO loyalty to their employees. WHY would he? So, he's going to be out of a job! This company has the WORST employee loyalty I've ever known! Disgusting! They want YOUNGER employees with FRESH ideas! You know who else wanted that??? The man who's submarine just IMPLODED!! AT&T will get theirs too. Sadly, but they made this bed.

"They can make an accommodation if they want too."

Why would they want to? This is a business.

OP- God Bless you and your son.

I’m glad your son has you. Some of these comments show us what happens to people when they don’t receive proper love and attention. I hope it works out for you in the end.

This is a business not a charity. If you need care for your child and you can’t be at office quit. AT&T is in business to make money not pay for day care. The company policy is to be in office 3-5 days in Atlanta and Dallas, you abide or quit.

Honestly don't think that the need to care for someone else (parent, spouse or child) was remotely close to a valid reason for an accomodation. Sorry about your situation.

They can make an accommodation if they want too.

OP, I wouldn’t lose hope just yet as someone posted earlier, appeal and reapply. Speak to the accommodation manager or their manager and ask what documentation they would need from the doctor for your situation.

I empathize with you, I’ve had to go through denials before too and it takes persistent on your part while going up the chain of command to get someone to listen, care and give you the information you need to meet the criteria to be accommodated. I believe it’s part of the process to make sure someone is really in need, unfortunately there are too many scammers that are taking advantage of the system.

If that doesn’t work then you have all the disabilities

I’m so sorry this has happened to you. The lack of valid reasoning to return to office is mind boggling and I can’t believe all the healthy work/life balance being undone right before our eyes. You sound like a wonderful dad.

Can he climb a phone pole. Maybe a wire tech position will help him explore other things in life. Good Luck.

First, I am sorry for your kid situation
2nd. At this time I recommend you comply and show up in the office to keep your job, don’t risk it
3rd. Document your case with a doctor report indicating the need for one of the parents at home all time
4th file for exemption again and again until you get it
Best of luck
You are a great man

@hzl+1o0WAyR2 14 years WFH, not a single blemish on performance reviews, multiple connections awards. My focus was just fine, so F you too!

“There is no way you’ve been fully focused on your job while taking care of your child at home. You are a key reason for the RTO policy. This may sound harsh but it’s true.”

He didn’t say he was taking care of his child. Just that he had to be present in case of emergencies. Have some compassion it might do you well.

“Well, my work accommodation due to my heavily disabled son was just denied as we have a full-time caregiver.”

There is no way you’ve been fully focused on your job while taking care of your child at home. You are a key reason for the RTO policy. This may sound harsh but it’s true.

Ugh my heart hurts for you. I hope things work out somehow in the end. Don’t let this shithole company get you down for too long. Your son needs you. May you find peace and happiness

So sorry this has happened to you