"Your story isn't ending," writes Verizon's former CEO in an open letter to employees affected by the company's largest layoff.

Former Verizon Business CEO Tami Erwin addressed the company's laid-off workers in an open letter. She emphasized the value of humans over technology and encouraged them to grieve.

As the telecom behemoth starts its largest wave of layoffs to date, impacting over 13,000 positions throughout the organization, the previous CEO of Verizon Business has sent an impassioned letter to thousands of workers who will lose their jobs.

The open letter went viral after Tami Erwin, who worked at Verizon for more than 30 years until leaving in 2022, shared it on LinkedIn.

"I've been really affected by the news this week. "I'm thinking about the people behind the headlines as I think about it tonight, on a quiet Friday night," she wrote.

She advised laid-off employees to allow themselves time to grieve. "From someone who will always bleed Verizon red to those affected: Allow yourself to grieve. A job involves pride, relationships, and identity. Losing it is a personal experience.

A former leader's perspective on change driven by technology
With almost 100,000 workers in the US, Verizon's non-union workforce will be drastically reduced as a result of layoffs.

According to Reuters, Verizon said that the layoffs had nothing to do with their shift to artificial intelligence.

However, Erwin added her own view on transformation, noting that technology is swiftly transforming everything: “Yes, AGI, quantum computing, robotics, and intelligent networks will redefine how we live, work, and play. The direction is correct.

Additionally, she advised executives to keep in mind that people are equally as important as technology. "A corporation is not transformed by technology. Individuals do. Additionally, leaders need to modernize process, communication, empathy, and accountability in addition to systems when change impacts people's livelihoods.

"Transformation without humanity isn't leadership," she declared.

The former CEO claims, "Your story isn't ending—it's evolving."
Drawing on her own experience leaving Verizon three years ago, Erin, who is currently a board director and advisor to Silicon Valley startups, said, "I can tell you that your next chapter will be equally as fulfilling!"

In its most recent quarter, Verizon, the biggest US telecom company in terms of subscribers, lost a net 7,000 postpaid phone connections, falling short of expert predictions of a net 19,000 connections. Verizon is under increasing pressure to restructure as rivals AT&T and T-Mobile continue to expand.

"Your story is changing rather than coming to an end. And I'll always be rooting for you," she wrote. She urged laid-off employees to keep their heads up. "No one can undo the influence you've had. Create a structure for the upcoming chapter, then take on the challenge.

These significant adjustments are being implemented by Verizon's new CEO, Dan Schulman, who was only appointed last month, to handle the growing market challenges despite a declining pool of new customers as cable operators enter the market and older competitors offer more affordable plans.