Just before Christmas, Comcast (NASDAQ:CMCSA) was in a group of companies that supported the new tax cuts, stating that it would create thousands of jobs. During that same time, however, the telecommunications company let go of nearly 500 people. These employees were to sign a non-disclosure agreement upon termination, in order to receive a severance package.
Comcast has since spoken out about these allegations, stating, “Periodically, we reorganize groups of employees and adjust our sales tactics and talent. This change in the Central Division is an example of this practice and occurred in the context of our adding hundreds of frontline and sales employees. All these employees were offered generous severance and an opportunity to apply for other jobs at Comcast.”
Those let go, happened on December 15th and the company’s statement about the tax cut providing new jobs was addressed on the 20th. Comcast states that due to the net neutrality repeal and the tax cut, that it would offer “special bonuses” of $1,000 to 100,000 employees and that it would be able to now invest in $50 billion in infrastructure over the next five years.
Of the 500 employees that the company let go, it was mostly direct sales individuals and managers within the Chicago region and Florida. The salespeople were those who walk neighborhoods and living complexes to pitch tv services and telecom. These sales individuals were told about their fate internally, and the company states that its new direct sales system requires “fewer humans.” More firings could follow if Comcast rolls out the same new sales models out of the other parts of its nation-wide territory.
It remains unknown how the next tax cuts will affect other lower level employees, within these large corporations that have supported the new tax bill.
Featured Image: The Next Web
