Thread regarding AT&T layoffs

We had a Voluntary several months ago, and there were not enough volunteers so they had a 10% FMP a few of months ago. We are hearing from management that there is a 15% reduction (FMP) coming either middle of December or in January. Some rumors are that possibly this Friday people could be notified.

Donovan's words in the town hall were chilling. 2019 will be a harder year for all employees. He said that surpluses were going to happen despite reskilling and certifications due to the lack of growth in the business. This is the worst kind of surplus; where the decay in the business impacts headcount. Even if you don't lose your job raises and investments in employees are going to be cut. Add to that signs the macro economy is slowing down and we have a whirlwind coming.

If John D is losing sleep it has nothing to do with people losing their jobs, maybe Randy is upset because the pace of outsourcing is too slow?

I find it hard to believe John Donovan is losing sleep, sorry.

in other words it might take a little more time to automate and off shore what is left

Per the John Donovan call yesterday, while he previously was not ‘losing sleep’ over layoffs (since they are a part of many corporations during restructuring), he is now losing sleep and I forget what other word he said but basically drove the fear in that yes, very significant cuts are coming in 2019, perhaps more toward 3rd quarter. Sorry- that’s the best I got.

Last fall 2 employees in my group were let go because they didn’t live near a ‘collaborative location’. Recently all employees & contractors who were full or part time VO in the Chewning org were notified they must report to a collaboration office. Some offes were deemed collaboration offices, then later the decision was reversed, so those people are now in limbo as to whether they must move their families to a location deeemed collaboration. In the meantime, folks who were VO are now sitting in an office doing the same job & not interacting with anyone. Makes zero sense. Talk is cuts coming in January & deep ones in Tech Dev. Maybe forcing people into the office is a test of who will placate management. Either way, lots of very unhappy people and morale has hit rock bottom. SAFe is not the answer.

anything worthwhile from the tech dev town hall, or just the usual vague 'non answers' from up above?

I understand that some folks in Legacy T were told they were in an "impacted universe" mostly due to the fact that they were not working at an AT&T defined "collaborative location" and or were full-time VO workers due to not having an office at a nearby AT&T facility...….Then some of these same folks were later told they are okay and won't get impacted this round...I have not heard from any of my friends who work over in Tech Dev that there was an announcement or request for volunteers or are you suggesting this is still to come?...….I know someone said they have a Tech Dev Town Hall scheduled tomorrow so maybe this will be announced....

Yes, we are hearing the same in Tech Dev, Legacy T.....Surplus is happening and is why the end of year performance sessions wrapped up in November instead of end of year as they normally do....