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Knight Ridder/Tribune Business News
Sep. 16 -- AT&T employees ought to be hardened by now to news of prospective layoffs, but this time is a little different.
They don't know how many people will be on the chopping block. They don't know when the ax might fall. They only know that changes are coming, and soon.
The telecommunications giant imposed a hiring freeze Aug. 19, part of a top-to-bottom review of cost reductions that is expected to lead to job cuts in the company's stagnant long-distance business. AT&T will begin notifying employees whose jobs are on the line as early as next month.
Many will be given a chance to seek new assignments in businesses that are expanding, including the company's cable, wireless and Internet units. But the waiting and uncertainty have taken a toll.