Verizon Wireless looks set to add hundreds of jobs across the country, on the heels last month of the company announcing the consolidation of call centers expected to impact around 5,200 positions.
–According to reports out of Atlanta, Verizon Wireless is looking to add 500 positions near its “southern” headquarters.
–The Baltimore Sun is reporting Verizon Wireless is set to add 300 new positions in Maryland, Virginia and Washington, D.C.
–The Rochester Business Journal reported Verizon Wireless plans to add 280 full-time positions in Rochester, N.Y., focused in customer care and retail.
–Verizon Wireless said it planned to add 42 retail and business sales, finance, project management and programmer positions in Indiana.
—The Tennessean reported earlier this month that Verizon Wireless was adding 74 full-time employees across the state.
—WWLP.com out of Boston reported that Verizon Wireless plans to hire 122 full-time positions in retail and sales across Massachusetts. The move is part of plans to hire 330 employees across New England.
–The Orlando Business Journal reported that the carrier announced plans to fill more than 300 positions in Central Florida, including sales, network, customer service, operations and other technology-related positions.
Published reports last month noted that Verizon Wireless planned to close five call centers and consolidating seven other facilities across the country. The moves are expected to impact around 5,200 employees, according to the Los Angeles Times.
The report notes the closures will include facilities in California, Pennsylvania, Ohio and Connecticut, with approximately 3,000 employees impacted by the cuts. Those employees will be offered a $10,000 package to relocate to one of Verizon Wireless’ other call centers, apply for a different position at the company or take a severance package. Verizon Wireless will also provide up to $500 for employees to visit other locations before making a decision.
Call center consolidation will see employees moved to nearby offices, which the report indicated would impact up to 2,200 employees.
“The company is closing a few call centers, and we are relocating those jobs to make best use of these open seats that we have,” a Verizon Wireless spokesman told the Los Angeles Times.
Sprint last week reportedly announced plans to cut 1,550 customer service positions, including the closure of a number of call centers and reductions in staff at others. The Star-Telegram reported that call centers in Sacramento, Calif.; Elmsford, N.Y.; and Overland Park, Kan., will be closed resulting in 550 job cuts. Sprint is also set to drop half the positions at a Fort Worth, Texas-based call center resulting in the loss of 450 jobs, with another 150 positions set to be cut at a Temple, Texas-based call center and about 400 positions at a call center in Orlando, Fla.
The report said Sprint had informed employees of the changes in January and that the moves would come during the first half of this year. A Sprint spokeswoman told the Star-Telegram that it employees set to lose their jobs by March 25 would be eligible for separation benefits, including additional pay based on length of service.
Carriers have noted that consumer preferences for self-care services have lessened the need for manned call centers.
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