Thread regarding AT&T layoffs

Ok 1fun, I posted earlier about getting “whacked” (your term) the end of October 2016, we were given notice Oct. 4th. I got the call on a Friday morning, it shocked my day and after a little panic (maybe a lot) brought out my book of contacts and the rest I mentioned. On the fourth week I got lucky, but a longer drive. It bought me 25 months until now, and again I got the call.

But I did my job then and will again this time for just one simple reason...it’s how I was raised. I will bring my replacement, (a person I know, and feel sorry for) up to snuff and do what I did before, bring out my book of contacts and give it another run.

I have no problem with the “Chip” post because I, of course, wrote it! I went down that path and came up short....what I didn’t do was complain about coming up short, it wasn’t Constructive to what I needed and what I needed was a game plan.

I also don’t pound my chest and put three entire lines of my credentials up for public view for two reasons, first it’s a useless exercise in self indulgence and second....I’ve heard many brags over my lifetime and the one thing I brought out from it was that the biggest braggarts tell the biggest tales, with some truth woven in.

If you’re legit you have all my best wishes but my original post was not meant just for you.

Good luck

About the whole Chip thing. I ambetting the people who didn't get whacked are supporting the act like a professional line. When you have always received good/exeeds reviews, been a good team player, did extra work when required, know more about the product and process than 95% of the people in your group and have less than a year to recieve your full pension, a.d you are cut loose cuz you aren't in the ZONE, you can give the Chip lecture. Until then, be thankful you weren't selected and don't tell me how I should act or feel.

@1wzh, I sense you were trying to say “it just simply comes down to the kind (of) person you are inside.” I wouldn’t disagree with that.

I hired on out of a two year community college in the 80’s. The recruiter looked at my grades, degree and asked only one question....can you continue to learn new technology? Along the way, SBC blinked and the Googles, Facebooks and even T-Mobiles started running past us before we could get out of the starting block. So now we’re top heavy, behind the curve and trying to buy our way into the future, instead of growing our way.

We’re the Professionals and the playground kids are running the show. It’s not your fault, or mine, that we’re about to exit a once revered company but do what you were hired on to do....bring the unfortunate soul, who will now inherit your workload, up to speed....they didn’t give you those walking papers, give them the respect and help you would appreciate from them in reversed circumstances, and Good Luck.

“It just simply comes down to the kind of person you are inside.” Truer words, and I suppose we know all we need to know about “Chip.”

From the standpoint of trying to survive the cut, should you want to hang in there, if you have any good years behind you the contacts (even the seemingly insignificant ones) have got to be more than you can even remember. Even the contacts that aren’t in your exact field may have heard cross chat.

You don’t ask, you don’t find out.

@byz,, thanks for the reply (Chip) and yes I agree. In comparison you and I are in different worlds, as I’m old school and you have that age old, noticeable “chip” on your shoulder.

I made a simple suggestion to act your age and true, professional self....finish out your work like a pro and if you can’t stay with T, then move on with dignity, but again you favor that “chip.” You chose to ‘act your age,’ and so be it.

I am truly sorry you probably won’t see a Pension, the Modified Rule of 75 or perhaps not even Social Security as we know it today, anyone who works for T deserves better than they have been dealt by SBC....perhaps even you.

Here’s hoping that ‘chip’ doesn’t get too heavy....to everyone else, decide how you wish to leave, like Chip or a Professional, and if you want to fight for another position, in the company, go for it!

@1wzh - people are on to you these days ... and your act is wearing pretty thin. just enjoy your make believe world that you live in. i know we all appreciate your comments for comic relief. smoke another bowl, dude.

The comment was made “why would you even consider helping them by staying longer and retrain your replacements,” and so guess it just simply comes down to the kind person you are inside.

Do you exact your revenge, stomp your feet, and childishly say NO? Of course you could always take the novel approach and act like the professional you were always being paid as....and don’t profess you weren’t being paid good money, I won’t buy it.

Like being “drafted” in the Military, i got the call end of October 2016, so I deployed those projects I could and handed off the rest that went into next year. But I wasn’t prepared to punch out so I took the six weeks, networking from old contacts. My boss saw, and appreciated my efforts and gave me leads.....even made a call and set up one interview.

I hit pay dirt and it has bought me close to retirement. If you act like a professional, you’re seen as one. And the Manager, within T, sees most people who take the 3 and out as people they wouldn’t want anyway.

No guarantees on anything, but let me strongly suggest you glide into your next job without the anger of T on your mind....people will see it in a NY minute and it doesn’t wear well.

That doesn't make sense. How can someone who's position was eliminated later be considered necessary? Wasn't the position eliminated because it was deemed to be unnecessary?

why would you even consider helping them by staying longer and retraining your replacements after they just screwed you ?

This may be offered to a handful of folks that ATT has determined they need to keep a little longer. Do what is BEST FOR YOU.

In previous layoffs, some, particularly necessary, people were extended.

If your situation is similar, this is a good thing, as it would mean you would be employed longer with the same ultimate severance, and would have been "blessed" with having been deemed valuable enough to keep a little bit longer, which might help if you're attempting to find another position internally.

Rumor has it that there are 2 more rounds of layoffs coming, with the next one in April, so finding another position internally just risks getting arbitrarily hit again.

You'll want to do the usual, talk to your boss and talk to HR, and hope that you get knowledgeable answers from them. Happens sometimes, so always worth trying.

Good luck, and sorry not to be able to help more!

I have not heard of HR extending any surplus beyond the 60 days. Extending this another 60 days seems suspect. Is this legit?

I am sure you are trying to Find a job? move on ASAP