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AT&T to Layoff 188 Workers in Illinois, Offering Transfers to Nearby Locations

July 25, 2014

A recent news report from The State-Journal Register in Springfield, Ill., says the AT&T call center in Springfield will soon close, transferring its work and workers to other Illinois locations.


In total, the Register says, AT&T will cut 188 jobs beginning Aug. 3. Of the 188 layoffs, an AT&T representative told the newspaper, 36 workers have taken the option of moving to a nearby call center in Rantoul, which is located approximately 90 miles east of Springfield. Additionally, 12 more will join company call centers in other state locations.

The Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity requires that any company in the state performing 50 or more layoffs must notify workers of such a decision. AT&T filed its required notice in June and stated in the announcement that the layoffs would begin in August.

The telecom giant also reportedly said last month that it would consolidate the work it will lose in Springfield with other nearby locations. As a result, this recent round of layoffs should not affect the overall number of AT&T employees working throughout the state. The company is allowing employees to transfer until August 2, and is providing severance packages to individuals unable to move or find other company work.

AT&T has been hiring call center employees at a blistering pace in recent months. Back in December 2013, it announced that it would be hiring 20 people to manage its leveraged services in Amarillo, Texas. In April, the company announced a round of hiring at its call center in Springfield, Mo., to add up to 70 new employees. And in May, it announced its intention to hire up to 500 new workers in various locations throughout Florida.

Many of the employee listings as of late are for customer service agent positions. The individuals hired in Florida may be hired to complete bilingual work. AT&T also indicated that it was seeking sales consultants and assistant managers for its Florida centers. TMC noted that AT&T currently employs nearly 15,000 people.




Edited by Adam Brandt



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