Around 300 jobs will be cut from Telstra’s retail business, with the company confirming that redundancies may follow from the proposed reduction.
According to a Telstra spokesperson, there will be a net reduction of “approximately 300 occupied roles, which may result in redundancies”.
These positions in question are primarily back of house roles from the company’s retail business.
“We are proposing to consolidate and strengthen our operational teams so they can better support our frontline customer service teams, and reduce the numbers of layers so everyone is closer to our customers,” the representative said.
“The proposed changes are necessary for us to become a more customer experience-led organisation," the representative said.
"The proposal will mean some roles will no longer be required, but new roles will be created. We are currently consulting with employees and unions on the proposal."
In July, the telco revealed it would cut 326 customer service jobs, as it continues to outsource call centre capabilities to the Philippines – a move the Community and Public Sector Union said would be a “devastating blow” to the workers affected.
Earlier this month, the telco revealed it would cut up to 53 wideband design roles in a bid to reduce the number of its sites around Australia that deliver design solutions used by its field-based staff to haul and install fibre-optic cabling.
At the time, Telstra said the job cuts would be offset by the creation of nine additional roles in Victoria and, on 23 September, the company revealed that it would create up to 1,000 new communications technician roles over the next six months to augment its field team and improve installation times.
While Telstra’s latest job reduction announcement makes no mention of additional positions being created in other areas of the business, the company has said that it intends to assist those who will be out of a job as a result of the new round of cuts.
“We know this is not easy for the people affected and we will be doing all we can to help them during this time, including making available redundancy entitlements,” the company’s representative said.
