When they tell you that they are laying you off, it is not because of a lack of work. Sure, automation is being fired up, but the hiring in Brnu, Czech Republic has been nonstop as well. Network surveillance jobs (Mobility ER/Packet Core) have been axed as of today in the US, and they are hiring them in Czech Republic. This is also happening with RAN and other teams that protect, troubleshoot, and monitor the network. Imagine the largest wireless provider in the US having its network monitored and maintained almost exclusively on the other side of the world? Sounds like a national security risk to me, seeing that our police, fire, and medical services (not to mention military) all depend on this network. Where is the FCC?
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You can read all about the international job on the internal company HR site. If AT&T wants you to go (read executive) they pretty much pay for it. You are full time, and you need to move your whole family. They will not pay for trips back, such as if AT&T had decided to ex-pat employees. So essentially, you are moving to another country and to another company governed by the rules of that country. Now, since you are not expat, you have to pay US taxes in addition to your new country. That's all on you to pay. No gross up or keep whole.
However, if you are surplussed and ASK for the job (volunteer), then you get the privilege of self funding your move for AT&T. When you start adding up hotels and airfare and meals and a rental, that money adds up fast - expect 20 to 15K. Then there is the move. If you get fired during the transition you are totally out of pocket. In total, 50,000 to move. If you are single, no pets, no family obligations, it will be a lot less costly and a lot easier to move.
So are Americans boxed in? Effectively, yes, but by policy no. In short, AT&T has set a policy essentially raising the cost so high for volunteers that the policy effectively boxes out any run of the mill individual contributors from those opportunities. In short, AT&T doesn't want surplussed employees taking international jobs, and found a legal way to do it.
Just understand that HR doesn't exist for you, and they never have. They exist for AT&T's management policies.
I'm sorry as much as one orange politician would like us to beleive otherwise, America is the greatest country in the free world. There are advantages to living here from small business (of which I own one) to quality of life. No thanks.
So Americans are captive and boxed in?
International jobs are not expat, and you have to pay all the relocation expenses out of pocket. How it works is you quit and join the firm overseas. It is different if they recruit you, but if you volunteer you are on your own. Sort of spoiled that option, I don't have 50K to move myself to Europe.
Brno staffing is being managed by AT&The personnel from the Redmond, WA office. Other offices may also be involved but I know one of the area managers working on the Brooklyn move and he is just following orders.
There are parts of Europe that I love, the U.K. Is one. And I even considered an offer there before. CR and the like is not and I think that's everyone's right. The Internet has made our world much smaller, and it's also given us choices.
I also agree with last poster following work is not an option when surplused. Maybe though as a result for refusing to move, but moving was never offrrrd to me either.
Americans may be allowed to follow the work as you state, but not att employees that have been laid off. I say that with 110% knowledge. My entire department was told that none of us were going to be allowed to "follow the work", and none of us were. Some found other jobs, some are now at home looking for work, but no one was able to follow the work.
Americans are allowed to follow their jobs. We just have this cultural taboo that "we shouldn't have to go to another country for our job, because we're Americans!".
Guys, it's not the old days anymore, and frankly if more middle class Americans were emigrating to other countries, it might even have a positive impact on those countries having a larger American immigrant population.
None of us are above living someplace like Central Europe, learning their language, and following to have stability.
I see at least two network security jobs in the Czech now let's hope these jobs support Eastern Europe network and not US.
Look at all the Jobs in Brno on att jobs terrible.
I know for a fact and first hand that at least some cellsite access and security (w/lock box codes) is managed by a team in India. Not sure how and when, but this guy ended up on an email string out of nowhere.
There's a post gone missing re: FCC oversight and shipping critical network monitoring and emergency services overseas. And it is an issue. However, the FCC generally waits for disaster/infractions first before fining and mandates happen.
But again these are cautionary tales of a sloppy surplus implementation and pressure from our beloved CEO to make rapid fire cuts. It also doesn't help when he gets shiny object syndrome and sinks billions of dollars into failed mergers (T-Mobile) and generally ideas he comes too late to the market with (new media/content).
Also this is what happens when a CEO wants to be Chairman (see Wells Fargo). There's no oversight nor checks and balances. Just full throttle but enough rope to hang yourself but only after media/investors/gvt/customers start digging.
But, but, "Global Economy!!"
Have any info to back that bold statement?
This is idiotic. Outsourcing your critical functions to other countries is insane.