AOL OKC Closing in Jan?

[jmlewis1]

I don't want to start a rumor, but I had heard that employee were informed this week that the center would be closing completely in Jan. I could not find anything on the news about this, can anyone confirm? This would be a very diffcult, though not completely unexpected, event for a lot of folks.

[SoonerDave]

It wouldn't surprise me. A co-worker who previously worked there told me the work environment out there was deteriorating rapidly and that was why he got out; and a guy he worked with was laid off just after he came to work for us. And that was probably two or three years (or more) ago.

With AOL trying to reinvent itself within the broadband community (insert pause for hysterical laughter), and getting away from its cheapo dialup service, nothing about AOL would surprise me right now. They're a disaster born as a byproduct of a technology that's multiple-generations obsolete, thus with its revenue tethered to a diminishing market. Not pretty. Then again, never was AOL.

Maybe they'll end up wishing they hadn't SPAMMED so many of us with those blasted CD's over the years, eh?

-SoonerDave

[Karried]

Wow, I have a few friends who work there... I'd be interested to know.. what a stressful holiday for them I imagine.

[drumsncode]

I heard on the news yesterday that AOL was closing. I think they said the jobs were being outsourced to India.

[SoonerDave]

Wonderful. Now AOL gets to find out the hard way what kind of disaster THAT becomes. I know a company that tried it, and they ended up screwing things up so badly it became MORE expensive to fix the problems they created than to just return the support to trained, domestic sources.

AOL is not long for this world.

-SoonerDave

[BailJumper]

AOL's time is up. They used to boast 33+ million subscribers. In recent months they removed that piece of marketing from their walls in OKC. I see them either going away completely or downsizing to the point they are no longer a player as an ISP.

[mranderson]

What I hope they do is keep some of the services, but give them away like they are doing their email. As far as them as an internet provider, they can (fill in the rest with your choice of negitave comments).

[Spartan]

This will free up another thousand workers whom Dell would gladly give a job.

[BDP]

Should we pass legislation to subsidize them? Would this qualify as a rainy day, too?

[Spartan]

Oh sure what the heck.

[venture]

Keep in mind if you look at Dell's job openings...the AOL employees only qualify for a small number of these. People need to realize that operation Dell is running is more than a call center...there are other departments and levels there that aren't typical to Dell.

[Intrepid]

KWTV Ch 9 just reported that Mayor Cornett is supposed to find out today, from a a manager with AOL, whether or not the call center will be closing in January and its jobs moved to India.

I couldn't find any print version of this (thinking it might've appeared in the Oklahoman or newsok.com)

[Steve]

The rumor is correct. Visit NewsOK.com | Powered by The Oklahoman and NEWS 9 to find out details.
-Steve

[metro]

Yeah, Channel 5 confirmed the rumor to be true as well. Also, here is the link to OKC Business' article on it today.

OKCBusiness - Oklahoma City Business News

[Viktoria]

Yes, it is true AOL will close in 60 days Jan 29th. (although not officially until Feb 12, but 99% of the employees will have their last day on Jan 28) I have worked there for 9 years. Although there were a few rumors floating around it was a complete surprise to everyone today. Rumors floated around all the time about stuff like this so no one paid much mind to it. Especially after we were told time after time our jobs were safe last month after the closing of the other 3 U.S. call centers.

They closed the call center yesterday because of "SNOW" This is only the second time in it's history it was closed (other day was May 3, 1999 for the tornado) Then this morning we had to report to work as usual. So we drive on the slick roads, only to be met at the door by security who escorted us as we arrived into a room where we were told about the call center closing. The entire call center was blocked off by caution tape inside so we were not even allowed to go to our offices/desks. They told us to go home for the day. I guess they don't want anyone "going postal".

AOL will be the last AOL call center in the U.S .after Dec.19 when the other 3 centers close. They are taking calls in India and in the Phillipines, they have for years now. However, the reason for this is because AOL is going to do all completely FREE content and there is no need for customer service. The free service plan does not offer customer service at all to those signed up for it.

It's going to be hard on some of us to find jobs paying the same (or close to) what we are making at AOL. I am making a little over $25 and hour plus bonuses after 9 years. That and we lose all of our health care, dental care, life insurance, 401k, and stock. So that stinks too. Not to mention most companies require you to work 3-6 months before insurance kicks in (AOL started insurance from day one of the job) AOL was a great company to work for, I'm just sorry it had to end like this. I'm not bitter about it like a lot of the people are, but I'm not happy about it either. It's not really the best of Christmas gifts to say the least!

As for the dell option. Even with my experience (and I have experience in more than just taking calls at AOL..actual computer experience) Their starting pay stinks..I'd say more than half of the people that have left AOL the last year are now working for dell....some like it, some don't. After talking with them today I just can't afford to work there.

[OU Adonis]

I feel for you Viktoria, but there will not be any call center work for you that starts any better than Dell. Most call centers in OKC start in the 9-11 dollar range.

There are companies out there that start insurance at day 1 however.

[Viktoria]

What I hope they do is keep some of the services, but give them away like they are doing their email. As far as them as an internet provider, they can (fill in the rest with your choice of negitave comments).

They do have something other than free AOL mail. The have completely free AOL content as long as you have another ISP to dial with (or high speed, dsl etc.) This is what AOL is turning into..completely free services, thus, why we are losing our jobs.

You would sign on in the same manner and have the same content you would with a paid account only no customer service (but since you weren't connecting through AOL you would really have very little to no need for customer service)

AOL is better than ever!

[SpectralMourning]

nm

[venture]

I feel for you Viktoria, but there will not be any call center work for you that starts any better than Dell. Most call centers in OKC start in the 9-11 dollar range.

There are companies out there that start insurance at day 1 however.

This is one major problem right here. Dell is not a typical call center. Yes they do the whole typical consumer sales, but if you look at their job postings there are plenty of other areas that are a far cry from call center work. I think this is one of the key things that has been missed since they opened a few years back. You look at other cities with sizeable Dell bases, and it is the place to get into - they don't label it as any other call center.

I would suggest searching their website for job openings.
- Operations Analyst
- HR Generalist
- Infrastructure Analyst
- Project Manager
- Account Management

Etc...definitely a far cry from your typical call center stuff. Not to mention, I know several people who are in the Medium Business realms that are pushing 100K a year...and they aren't even management yet.

[Dave Cook]

Vic....

My heart goes out to you. Sorry for the recent bad news.

I don't know...I'm not completely sold on my recent return to Oklahoma City. It seems finding a good job is extremely difficult.

Just look at all the closings recently....

Delta Faucet
General Motors
Dayton Tire

And now AOL....900 employees +

Lots of folks looking for work.

I know what you mean by not being able to afford to work at Dell. People keep telling me...'Go to Dell." At nine bucks an hour?

A few more months of this....and I'm back overseas.

[mranderson]

Vic....

My heart goes out to you. Sorry for the recent bad news.

I don't know...I'm not completely sold on my recent return to Oklahoma City. It seems finding a good job is extremely difficult.

Just look at all the closings recently....

Delta Faucet
General Motors
Dayton Tire

And now AOL....900 employees +

Lots of folks looking for work.

I know what you mean by not being able to afford to work at Dell. People keep telling me...'Go to Dell." At nine bucks an hour?

A few more months of this....and I'm back overseas.

My recomendation is to get out of the call center environment and see if you can train for something else. Call centers are too volatile (sp). In fact, I look for more to close as more people get smart and use the internet.

[Dave Cook]

Yeah, but.....I asked the employment agency lady about that and she asked what I thought about moving to Balibago or Varanasi.

Gigs like this seem to be on export list.

[Prunepicker]

I don't want to start a rumor, but I had heard that employees were informed this week that the center would be closing completely in Jan. I could not find anything on the news about this, can anyone confirm? This would be a very difficult, though not completely unexpected, event for a lot of folks.

It's not a rumor. A friend of mine is losing his job because of the closing. I'm not sure of the details but I believe it has something to do with AOL getting new equipment/software which requires less manpower.

Prunepicker

[Intrepid]

It's not a rumor. A friend of mine is losing his job because of the closing. I'm not sure of the details but I believe it has something to do with AOL getting new equipment/software which requires less manpower.

Prunepicker

Prunepicker,

Here's some more information for you. I think this coincides with the information in post #13 of this thread:

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