Behind AT&T’s RTO Policy: A Hidden Layoff Agenda?

August 25th, 2023 - The talent environment is set for dramatic change as AT&T takes a stand on a return-to-office mandate, requiring 60,000 managers to restart in-person work at only nine approved locations. Techstaffer extends a warm welcome to these exceptional individuals, supporting alternative career paths that are more in line with today's flexible work ethos.

Recent Bloomberg disclosures shed more light on AT&T's radical policy change. CEO John Stankey has identified just nine centers for managers despite the company having 350 office sites nationwide: Los Angeles, San Ramon, Seattle, St. Louis, Washington, Middletown, Bedminster, Dallas, and Atlanta. After three years of widespread remote working caused by the global pandemic, this centralized strategy is projected to begin in earnest by September.

The reality paints a different picture from AT&T's pitch, which promotes connectivity and claims that 85% of affected managers already live close to these hubs. 15% of those affected, or an incredible 9,000 managers, have difficult decisions to make. The choices? Accept long commutes, move their entire lives to a new place that can be disruptive, or leave the telecom giant.

Opinions of the internal team at AT&T add another level of intricacy. In an interview with Bloomberg, one manager compared the campaign to "a layoff wolf in return-to-office sheep's clothing." Such opinions cast doubt on the credibility of AT&T's stated objective to "build a great culture and environment."

Stankey's remarks to Bloomberg regarding "generous" relocation services are part of a larger plan to cut $6 billion in operational costs. What is the expected result? By the end of the year, the workforce would be 15,000 people smaller.

Amid major changes in the corporate sector, Techstaffer remarks, "Our objective remains crystal-clear: To illuminate routes bursting with opportunity for any professional feeling the pinch and provide resources for everyone to flourish. These managers are AT&T veterans who have unmatched competence and adaptability—valuable qualities that many forward-thinking firms are eager to hire.

”Employees are not alone in navigating these changes, AT&T employees who are feeling the winds of change should stay up to date with our blog as we cover the continual changes at AT&T. For those who are looking for financial advice or additional information regarding AT&T’s RTO mandate, we suggest signing up for a webinar hosted by The Retirement Group. They specialize in financial planning for AT&T employees and host many webinars on topics related to AT&T. If an employee wants to stay updated on the latest RTO news, thelayoff.com/at-and-t is a great forum where employees post what they are hearing about the situation. To keep up with layoff announcements in the telecom industry layoffs.fyi/ is a wonderful source.

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