AT&T confirms layoffs as giant continues hiring in some job areas

Tech giant AT&T is making layoffs, a spokesperson confirmed late Tuesday to WRAL TechWire.

“We are hiring to meet the needs of the growth areas of our business.  In fact, we hired more than 20,000 new employees last year and more than 17,000 the year before,” said Jim Greer, assistant vice president for Corporate Communications.

” In cases where we do have to adjust our workforce, we take steps to lessen the effect on employees,” he added.

Greer declined to disclose any additional details, such as how many jobs were cut..

The laoyffs hit a “small” portion of its workforce, according to media reports.

A spokesperson used the term “small” in describing the cuts to Reuters news service. How many jobs will be cut was not disclosed.

Reuters reported that the layoffs “are consistent with staffing changes AT&T has done in the past,” citing the spokesperson.

Business Insider, citing a “source familiar with the matter,” said the cuts were focused on “legacy parts of the business.”