[NEWS] ARTICLE: Sprint to lay off thousands in company-wide cutback

[phillynews215]

In an press release today, Sprint announced that it will be eliminating 2,000-2,500 employees in an effort to reduce personnel expenditures by about $350 million by the end of 2009. The cutbacks will be company-wide, and aren't tied to any geographic region or department within the organization. Sprint went on to say that most impacted positions will be eliminated by December 31, 2009, and that the company will provide severance benefits and outplacement services to those affected by the cutbacks.

With the holiday season approaching, it's heartbreaking to see news like this. For more information, the press release can be found below.

Sprint Nextel Announces Actions to Reduce Labor Costs by at Least $350 MillionOVERLAND PARK, Kan.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Nov. 9, 2009-- Sprint Nextel Corp. (NYSE:S) today announced that the company will take actions in the fourth quarter of 2009 to reduce internal and external labor costs by at least $350 million on an annualized basis. The actions include the elimination of 2,000 to 2,500 positions within the company. The impact on geographic locations will vary, and many impacted positions will be eliminated by December 31, 2009.

The reduction impacts positions companywide, including those previously announced this month in the Wholesale organization, as well as a reduction in contractor and other outside labor. The company is taking this action in a careful manner to ensure that there is no impact on the improved customer experience that has been reflected in much higher levels of satisfaction in customer surveys and in independent performance tests. Sprint has pledged to not waver on the company’s commitment to quality service and products.

Sprint has seen a notable reduction in calls per subscriber to customer care and increased customer satisfaction resulting from customer service improvements for seven sequential quarters. In this period, the company has been able to discontinue the use of 27 call centers as call volume has decreased in the wake of service improvements. Furthermore, the company’s networks continue to operate with current best-ever metrics and has resulted in Sprint being named by PC World Magazine as having the most reliable network.

The labor cost reductions are the latest action in the company’s efforts to make its cost structure more competitive in the industry and to remain financially secure in a challenging economic environment. At the end of the third quarter 2009, the company had a balance of $5.9 billion in cash, cash equivalents and short-term investments, and said that it expects to continue to generate positive Free Cash Flow during the fourth quarter of 2009.

Sprint will provide severance benefits and outplacement services for impacted employees. The company expects to recognize a charge of approximately $60 million to $80 million during the fourth quarter of 2009 for severance and related costs associated with the reduction.

Read More From Source

[D/\SH]

wow now getting rid of all these people so close to the holidays? doesnt make sense to me since during the holidays thats when most sales of phones and new contracts are signed, wont you need more manpower to arm that and get these people through and with your company for 2 years? and by december 31st, i thought that was kind of harsh, so just before christmas someone could become jobless or just after when they are going to be short on cash too..... i understand that an ailing business like sprint needs to save money in some way but dont you think you would wait until after the biggest money gaining period of time has at least passed?