Thread regarding Verizon Communications Inc. layoffs

YHC - my apologies as I did not fully digest the post. You are correct.

QDM, please read the post again " carefully" no one said the company does not have a number, but rather the company does not know how many employees (number) will actually take the buyout. I question the figures you said you received from a very reliable source, because it gave a number range from 12K - 20K , thats an 8000 number difference. I do agree with you 100% there will be a rif if they don't meet their numbers. But even if they meet their quota be it 12K, 20K there will still be rifs

Verizon has lost discrimination lawsuits in the past, I see some in their future.

i would think some sort of poll from the teams/groups/management will need to be had, just because your a long timer, doesn't mean you arent needed or incompetent. If this is ALL going to be up to HR then that is a whole another mess, since they have no clue what we do except a line on a spreadsheet.

even though they say some will not get approved, where is that information coming from a long time running list? at one point they had the essential lists and the dreaded top 5/10 list.

So if someone besides HR will have some say then it can be a bit easier to decide, if its just HR looking at the numbers then ........bye.

Imagine your surprise when you see that they've outsourced HR.

I will take my chances, then collect unemployment.

When not enough management apply for this so called offer they will RIF and the older management will be their target. There is nothing that this company will stop at too line their pockets.

I will stay. Work 60 weeks ,then some. Contribute to my 401k and add to my accrued pension and stock . The package works for people who were already leaving or anted to leave.

Qdm- i agree with qdm except the last part. About them targeting time in service for rif if the dont get there number on the buyout. No company can legally do that. Workers above 40 are a protected class for age discrimination. That is why they need the voluntary buyout if the want to target age and service. They can of course nibble at the edges of older workers buy showing draed skills or just puttin a slightly disproportionate number in on each rif. However if evidence was ever found that they had a plan to discriminate due to age in a rif, they would open temselves up to a class action lawsuit with substantial penalties. Of couse tgey can alwats selloff or ousouce functions to reduce payroll, and its clear they are and may continue to do that and, that, is a significant risk to maintaining a job at vz in the future if you are paid well now.

The reason the buyout appears to be open to everyone is so that it doesn't look like they're targeting a specific group "senior employees" If you believe VZ don't have a number in mind your fooling yourself - the number (12k - 20k employees) came from an insider who has been 98% accurate on the information they've given men since the riff's started. Landline & Wireless has an abundant amount of employees that are past, at or will be able to retire a lot of these people migrated through buyout's & mergers "GTE, ALLTEL" placing them at the top of pay scale. Question for the person who commented on the fact that they don't have a number.... why would they say that if they get a certain amount of volunteers their would be no riff's in November "if they don't have a magic number/dollar amount" - Here's how it will go, they know exactly who they wan't off the books, if you don't volunteer you will be riffed - (1st) 20 + yrs (2nd) 18 + yrs (3rd) 15 + yrs these are the relative tiers that should be concerned, the 3rd tier is last and almost considered safe. This plan wasn't just hatched overnight it was well thought out, planned & now executed.

There are 30 somethings on the list, so unless they started working at 10yr old those less then 20yrs certainly has the option. You just might be in a group that wasn't part of the deal?

They should have given everyone that has 10 years or more the buyout option. I know alot of people want to stay and won't take the boyout and many that have not been given the buyout option that would have taken it. They won't get the numbers they want and this will lead to a rif. Obviously they can't allow everyone to go but If they allowed everyone the option to leave they would find out who wants to stay and who wants to leave and would help them layoff of the right people.

Where did you get the 12K - 20K number of employees?

Keep in mind the company does not know the "exact amt" of employees that will take the buyout offer, thus the reason for three staggered dates of 12/28, 3/28 and 6/28 to safeguard the needs of the business, if more than expected take the buyout.

They can't focus on just older people, which is why the initial RIF requirements changed from 20+ years to everyone.

This also means they won't be able to fire just the older workers after the voluntary period is over.