AT&T return-to-office mandate creates job uncertainty for 60k workers

In a surprising move AT&T has mandated that 60,000 managers return to work in person to one of nine of the company’s offices, despite many employees living far away from any of those locations. While the company said restructuring will help cost savings and “increase collaboration,” it has ignited outrage among employees who see it as a disguised staff reduction effort. AT&T CEO John Stankey estimated that around 15% (9,000) of the affected managers will have to choose between relocating or leaving the company. But sources within AT&T claim that due to proposed office reductions and task-specific realignments, the actual number of affected managers could be closer to 25,000. And in most cases AT&T won't pay relocation expenses. An internal document sent to employees indicated that their work designation and location will be determined by their leadership team based on business needs and collaboration requirements. AT&T supervisors are expected to complete the new assignments by the end of June 2023. The lack of clarity and transparency regarding how employees will be assigned to the nine designated hubs has caused confusion and chaos within the company. There are no detailed explanations of the selection process, and even employees currently based in one of the hubs could be reassigned to another.