Thread regarding Verizon Communications Inc. layoffs

I was rif'd in 2009, but I am glad, I had an escape plan. To the old adage "If you fail to plan, Plan to fail". The problem is that Verizon like other companies feel that they can run the company on automatic until competent management comes on board. The issue is that they are firing competent people who threaten the status quo or who are better educated than those in power. I tried to warn my management about their attitude towards the new technology on the horizon, but they chose to take it as criticism. This, then facilitated my dismissal via scheduled reduction in force. Fortunately, I had planed to leave when they tried to say that my questioning of their methods of managing the organization was racially motivated. The fact is Verizon is being mismanaged, but the stock and major stake holders, do not care as long as their stock checks keep coming. I now work for a company that values my talent and is willing to back me when I have good ideas as opposed to labeling me as a troublemaker for pointing out bad policy. I remember what a VP once told me in private at a meeting. "Just because you are older, Caucasian, and Male does not mean you are correct, and just because you are a younger, Male of African Descent that does not make you wrong. Things are going to happen, just know that you were right in what you said, they did not like that it came from you." Verizon will correct its actions, too bad it will be after the ship runs aground.

You were done a favor, as was I. It is time to go. Fran's toddlers have taken over the ship along with the third place ceo after Chuck and Ivan. The marketing is a step backwards and the new products even more so. As long as they can keep the dividend afloat the stock will stay strong, but the executive wing definitely needs a good house cleaning, and some basic common sense.

If you are over 50 yrs old, it will be very tough but like everything else in life: if you fail to plan, you plan to fail.

Exactly YF7! Those impacted, this is your chance to move into something more stable. Technology is NOT stable and I would get out ASAP.

a NEW job will do, There are financial institutions out there, that would gladly take you in, working for a Telecom is risky business, while Layoffs will continue, I ma not sure I want to be 55 and out of the JOB, the sooner you plan, the better off you will be

Lesson for those that are left- YOU ARE NUMBER, THAT IS ALL YOU ARE!!!!

The only reason I don't call in sick is the extra bonus paycheck I get in March because I didn't call in sick. Treat this place as a gold mine, don't get your feelings involved and have fun. It's life, we all know how it ends. Here's to me hoping to ride out my next 8 years (guessing that will be 3 contracts) and hitting easy street!

I was notified November 5th also, and I have over 22 years going back to MCI. In my case, however, my current salary is under market for my industry and geographic location, so I am expecting to get a new job with a higher salary, and I have nearly 8 months to find it. So I am looking at this as an opportunity to learn new skills and get a fresh start with hopefully a smaller, more agile company. In addition, I have heard rumblings that Verizon is planning to cut the severance package in half next year (Sprint has already announced they are doing that) and I'm almost certain there will be more rounds of layoffs, so I feel like we may have dodged a bullet.

I got let go on November 5th - I started with Cellular One and it was an awesome company who truly cared for its employees. It doesn't make sense to me that they are laying people off "due to budget cuts" and then encourage us to apply internally. I am going to look elsewhere. And yes, it absolutely DOES hurt and you have ever right to feel that way!

McAdams is a terrible CEO, the company takes in billions of dollars in profits, he cuts the workforce over and over, and yet he can't get the stock over $50 a share. I don't think he understands that Wall Street rewards 'growing' companies. His ideas fail epically, from The Redbox disaster to this new foray, Go90 that has been welcomed with apathy at best. He has no vision, he is a follower, just look at the new logo, really, pay a design company to change to a lower case font and smaller check?(which is what he wants to give everyone, a smaller check)

I was lucky, I took management in the late 90's and I would've gotten screwed in the first pension issue. I fought to get my Union job back and just retired with an offer after 36 years. Verizon doesn't want their employees to move up, they punish you if you try, and their best and most experienced employees stay stagnant. This is just a deplorable business model.

33 years for me and they kicked me to the curb - I think it is a process....I was in shock, then mad, then sad very sad, but now HAPPY! the company that kicked me to the curb was not the company I had loved working for it was not the company I helped to start ...........we will survive

Upper management is selling off verizon by the pound... Its a shame that these individuals are getting the assets of 70 years of telephone company real estate.. Its all about selling off the company assets... recently they sold the Hunt valley location for penny s...this was a great location and now everyone has to move to different locations... its sure nice to have a job b who knows when that will be sold off too... Its sad very sad and to see these folks getting all the money and impoverish other sis a disgrace

So true. The Managers and Associate Directors are brain washed. They're too concerned if they fight for what is right.they will loose their jobs. There are unqualified,uneducated and clueless people in Leadership positions. Grow a backbone !!They only take and take and take, when they're done with you,that's it. You have no one in your corner,no one has your back. Fake as heck and who ever says it's like a family, bull !! Wake up,someone else today,you tomorrow. The only Loyalty VZW has is to the $$$, You think you're safe,you think your position is good,you think you're in good with Leadership !! Wake up,don't be stupid.

Here's a clue. Had you "unionized" you would have a contract with protection and Seniority rules. AT&T has both wireline and wireless unionized. You've seen McAdumbs show of appreciation. Now show him yours. Do it before he farms all your work to Indian

Basically it reads like you are in shock and you have every right to be. I can relate (35 years) and was asked to move to a NJ from the west. They know older workers will not move as easily as younger workers. So they can remove the older workers without getting in trouble.

The past is the past, so let it go.

As for the people that chose our fates, we really have no control, so it really does not matter

No one can tell you what is good for you and your family. Will it happen again in a new VZ job... there is always a chance.

You have an opportunity to create a new version of you, go out and Beta test it and then put it into production.