ADT to Lay Off 380 at Omaha-Based Call Center
In the global economic turmoil we are all facing, there tends to be daily announcements of companies and even entire industries in trouble. Here in the U.S., the mortgage industry sought financial help from the government and now automotive companies are struggling to stay above water. For a number of call centers throughout the U.S., the news isn’t any better.
The future of the U.S. call center industry is uncertain at best as overseas locations continue to offer low cost alternatives in a time where cost cutting is taking priority to stay in business. As we look to 2009 and the change that is promised, it is only with time that we will know if change can be delivered
Susan J. Campbell is a contributing editor for TMCnet and has also written for eastbiz.com. To read more of Susan's articles, please visit her columnist page.
Edited by Jessica Kostek
The latest layoff announcement has been from ADT Security Services. The Associated Press reported that the company plans to lay off 380 people at a call center in the Omaha area. This move is the result of a planned consolidation of call center operations to streamline processes and control costs.
According to ADT spokeswoman All Lindstrom, the customer support operations in Papillion, Nebraska will be handled by the company’s service centers in Jacksonville, FL, Aurora, CO., Kansas City, MO., and Rochester, NY.
The layoffs are expected to be completed by March of 2009. Those employees who lose their jobs and are unable to find other positions with ADT may be able to receive severance packages.
The layoffs are expected to be completed by March of 2009. Those employees who lose their jobs and are unable to find other positions with ADT may be able to receive severance packages.
ADT was quick to note that home and business security customers should not notice the change as its operations will remain in place for the customer. The company already redirects alarm signals when a blizzard or hurricane affects one of its call centers. These systems already in place should make for any easy transition.
While the company has taken a positive approach with this announcement, it is never good for the U.S. contact center industry when a company must close some or all of its doors. Not only are valuable employees left to look for employment elsewhere, it also puts a damper on the industry. And, no matter what the company says, customer perception will still be altered by the change.
Those call center workers employed in the Nebraska ADT location may be forced to look outside of their geographic location to find other employment, depending on the current economic status within the Omaha, Nebraska area. While some industries are faring better than others, many companies are in a state of strict cost control which has frozen hiring practices.
While the company has taken a positive approach with this announcement, it is never good for the U.S. contact center industry when a company must close some or all of its doors. Not only are valuable employees left to look for employment elsewhere, it also puts a damper on the industry. And, no matter what the company says, customer perception will still be altered by the change.
Those call center workers employed in the Nebraska ADT location may be forced to look outside of their geographic location to find other employment, depending on the current economic status within the Omaha, Nebraska area. While some industries are faring better than others, many companies are in a state of strict cost control which has frozen hiring practices.
Susan J. Campbell is a contributing editor for TMCnet and has also written for eastbiz.com. To read more of Susan's articles, please visit her columnist page.
Edited by Jessica Kostek
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