People outside of Verizon think that it's an extremely "stable" company with lots of job security and promise. However, what those inside know is just the opposite. Instead of working for a company that is on the eve of the next announcement of innovation, Verizon is always on the eve of the announcement of the next round of cuts. The only stable thing at Verizon is the stock price, which has been funded at the price of employee morale, job security and constant RIFs. However, the RIFs are not targeted towards "non-performers" but instead, towards those with the most experience and best qualifications who have great track records in the businesses.
Outside of the core Verizon business (telecommunications), there is tremendous incompetence. From the Executive Director level on down, management is often making decisions about areas that they know nothing about, or were put there by a crony of the boss. This has compounded the problem. Reverse discrimination is out of control in some areas of the company. There are people (managers, senior managers, directors- you know who they are) who would be fired on the spot for some of the racist, s-xist commentary and actions they have engaged in, but because they are non-White, they are not just given a pass, the company invests in sending them for "counseling" and "coaching." This usually tones things down for a month or two until the next HR investigation/incident, when facts are verified, confirmed and again, more "coaching" takes place to the point that the business is more interested in running a rehab facility than a profitable business.
Although the pay and benefits are good based on industry standards, you never know day to day how long it will last! Every day spent in the mismanaged groups outside of the core business is a day that erodes your skillset and diminishes your value to a prospective employer. Then, as everyone around you is either RIF'ed or leaves for greener pastures, you end up having to do their work after management promises opportunities for those carrying the ball that they can't deliver.
If someone can get a RIF package and get out, it's for the best. It's a blessing in disguise as this is not the company it used to be!