AT&T is directing more managers to relocate or face layoffs

Core Insights - AT&T is transitioning to a "market-based culture" that emphasizes collaboration among employees, as indicated by CEO John Stankey's recent memo [1] - The company is consolidating 22 internal help-desk centers into six locations, affecting managers who have two weeks to decide on relocation or face job loss [1][5] - This consolidation aligns with AT&T's ongoing strategy to upgrade technology and reduce legacy costs, reflecting a broader trend in corporate America towards performance metrics and in-office work [2][12] Company Restructuring - The consolidation plan involves relocating managers to six sites: Atlanta, Mesa (Arizona), Miami, Orlando, Richardson (Texas), and Tulsa (Oklahoma) [5] - Employees facing relocation are required to cover their own moving expenses, leading to concerns about the impact on their families [6][11] - The spokesperson confirmed that the relocations aim to optimize workflows and improve efficiency, consistency, and teamwork [12] Workforce Impact - AT&T's previous restructuring in 2023 involved reducing the number of managerial locations from 300 to nine metro areas, affecting around 60,000 managers [13] - The company has seen significant employee turnover, with about half of the 318 managerial workers in the AT&T Technology Services division declining relocation offers [17] - As of early 2023, AT&T employed over 160,000 workers, with a reduction to approximately 141,000 by the start of the year [18] Technological Integration - AT&T is increasingly incorporating AI to streamline operations, with expectations to save $3 billion in running costs through further integration [19] - The CTO mentioned that the division has begun using generative AI to automate troubleshooting processes, indicating a shift towards more technology-driven solutions [20] - The company's stock has seen a 27% increase in 2025, suggesting investor support for these strategic changes [20]