Verizon to rival AT&T employees: Come work here if you don’t like 5 days in office

A memo from Verizon’s talent team refers to “changing RTO policies across the industry” and invites recipients to apply for hybrid and remote roles.

The rivalry between two of telecom’s biggest players has taken a decidedly modern twist.

After AT&T’s full-time return-to-office mandate began to be implemented in January, Verizon reached out to AT&T employees who may not be keen on working five days a week in the office.

In an email sent to multiple AT&T employees and obtained by B-17, Verizon’s talent team encouraged recipients to explore the company’s hybrid and remote job opportunities.

“Following the news of changing RTO policies across the industry, we’re reaching out to share helpful resources and potential hybrid/remote job opportunities across Verizon,” the email said.

“If you have been personally affected by organizational policy changes or know anyone who has, we’re looking to add top talent to the V Team,” the email continued. Verizon declined to comment.

While it’s common for companies to recruit from their competitors, Verizon’s outreach highlights how five-day office mandates have become a sticking point for some workers in recent months.

AT&T told B-17 that its workers “always have a choice to pick the type of company and work environment they wish to be part of.”

“We desire individuals who wish to work in a dynamic and challenging team environment with strong relationships and collaboration fostered by in-office constructs,” AT&T added.

AT&T has had to navigate a rocky return to office this year, with some employees describing to B-17 a lack of desk space, parking shortages, and shifting guidance about the policy.

On Monday afternoon, Verizon’s job-listings website showed openings for more than 1,200 roles across the US, 10 of which were remote. Listings for several full-time positions said they required at least eight days in the office a month, as determined by a manager.

The Verizon email also referred to the company’s support of DEI at a time when other large employers are backing away from DEI policies.

“If you’re looking for a culture of learning that fosters diversity, equity, and inclusion with room to grow, our V Team may be the place for you,” the email said.

The email said Verizon job perks include up to $8,000 of annual tuition assistance, up to five weeks of paid time off, paid parental leave, and medical, dental, and vision coverage.

While AT&T traces its origins to 1885, Verizon was formed in 2000 when one of the so-called Baby Bells — spun off from AT&T in the 1980s — merged with GTE.

More recently, the two have been in a race to build out the nation’s fiber optic network and extend 5G and satellite coverage.

Though AT&T is now based in Dallas, its former New Jersey headquarters is a major corporate campus for Verizon — not to be confused with Bell Labs in Holmdel, which features in Apple TV’s “Severance.”