Sanity check. 21 years at Verizon, at retirement age, crazy busy with work, awful leadership in my group and chilly relationship with my director. My last day is 09/13. I wasn’t looking to leave, but kept harboring these feelings that after VSP, workloads would increase, that leadership has no clue or plan for how impactful this reductions will be and payoff for sticking around would be the constant threat of RIFF’s? The decision for me was a “bird in the hand”, yet three weeks from departure this entire process feels blurry and strange. If someone is producing, managing large complex projects, has a salary of less than 1% of the work they touch, why not selectively target positions versus an imprecise surgical dismantling of a once great company? It’s odd to think that Verizon will people (not AI) to do my work when I’m gone, but they would rather me to set it a side. I wish that I were as resolute about leaving as many of the posts I’ve read.
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My group wasn’t eligible for VSP. But, I got caught in a small RIFF for 8/16. Almost 19 yrs in and wasn’t planning to leave until next year…57 week payout is a pretty good parting gift. I sulked for 3 weeks trying to stay…but ready for what’s next and realized this is the best way to go.
I know it is all about the payout but it is still hard. There are many people that I work with every day that I may never see again except thru Facebook/LinkedIn.
surgical
sur·gi·cal
/ˈsərjək(ə)l/ denoting something done with great precision
Changing before you have to is a better plan . Random volunteers to leave is less risk for Verizon because those closest to retirement benefit the most vs being chosen and it looks like ageism
Congratulations! By the end of the year you will realize that you did the best thing you could for your physical, emotional and intellectual sanity. Hopefully your next move is something that brings you joy.
It’s natural to have some anxiety over such a major decision. But, the decision is made. Look forward to the future may bring you. Will you retire? Or will you seek another job? Start your own business? Or maybe all three?