Simply days after overhauling its wi-fi knowledge plans, Verizon on Wednesday held a gathering with a large viewers of customer support workers to inform them of upcoming “restructuring” and “streamlining” measures which might be all however sure to lead to important layoffs. Extra particulars will likely be shared tomorrow, Might twenty fifth, in accordance with a prerecorded message that workers obtained. Over 6,000 workers have been current on right this moment’s name — The Verge spoke with a number of of them — however the consolidation measures may find yourself impacting numbers far past that.

The warning comes only a month after Verizon posted Q1 ’23 earnings, which fell in need of Wall Avenue estimates as its subscriber base continued to shrink. The corporate misplaced 127,000 postpaid subscribers within the quarter. In March, the corporate appointed Sowmyanarayan Sampath as CEO of Verizon Client Group, which oversees its customer support operation.

These concerned in right this moment’s name have been advised they’d be capable to settle for a severance provide (two weeks per yr of tenure) or, in choose instances, apply for roles to “transition to the subsequent stage of your profession journey.” In line with an inside doc offered to The Verge, these roles revolve round buyer expertise, loyalty, and expertise positions.

The corporate gave affected staff a deadline of June seventh to decide on their choice, in accordance with individuals who have been on the decision. Those that apply for brand spanking new positions usually are not assured to be employed, and for individuals who don’t take the severance possibility, June twenty third is the date that Verizon will inform workers of their future on the firm.

Over on the Verizon subreddit, some are speculating that the corporate is making these strikes in order that it may shift but extra after-sales service and buyer help to exterior distributors abroad. Verizon has largely halted home hiring for customer support positions, in accordance with folks acquainted with the matter.

The developments come quickly after Verizon introduced rejiggered mobile plans which have been greeted with a lukewarm reception from some clients since they now not bundle in premium companies like Apple Music or the Disney Bundle. Carriers are going through stagnant revenues and try to monetize 5G in any method they will after years of hyping the sooner community expertise. Verizon has stated it plans to flip the swap on C-band spectrum in additional areas all through the nation over the approaching months.

The Verge has reached out to Verizon for extra particulars. Potential layoffs would proceed an ongoing wave of comparable cuts throughout the tech trade at main firms, together with Meta, Disney, Lyft, and lots of others.

By means of the years, Verizon has touted its complete community protection and award-winning customer support. Making a option to curtail investing in that have within the US may show detrimental each for the enterprise and clients on the lookout for some assist — to not point out the various loyal workers who are actually unsure of the place their profession path goes from right here.