Spectrum Call Center Shutdown: 176 Portland Workers Laid Off Just Before Holidays

Charter Communications Lays Off 176 Workers at Spectrum Call Center in Portland

Charter Communications, the company behind Spectrum services, has made a significant workforce reduction at its Portland, Maine call center. According to a WARN notice filed with the state of Maine, 176 employees at the Spectrum Call Center located at 901 Washington Ave. have been affected by this decision.

Company's Explanation for the Layoffs

Lara Pritchard, Charter Communications' vice president of communications, confirmed that the company is transitioning the work from the Portland call center to other centers based in the United States. She stated, "This change allows us to deliver information, training, and technology to our representatives more efficiently."

Impact on Employees

The 176 employees at the Portland call center were informed of the company's decision on Wednesday. According to Pritchard:

• Employees could relocate to select customer service locations in their current roles and are eligible for relocation benefits.
• Portland employees will continue to receive regular pay for 90 days.
• Employees who do not relocate will begin to receive severance and eligible benefits after the 90-day period.
• The impacted employees may also apply for any open role for which they are qualified.

Employee Reactions

Some employees expressed shock at the news, which came just two weeks before Christmas. Sandi Thompson of Naples, one of the laid-off employees, shared her experience:

"I have a family I need to take care of. What am I going to do when that severance is up?"

Thompson, who started working at the center in May of this year, added, "I didn't make the choice to leave. I didn't say 'I quit'. That choice was taken away from me, and now I get to be put into a panic."

Despite the layoffs, Thompson mentioned that she'll get 90 days of pay, severance, and benefits, so for now she's not worried about paying bills. However, that support runs out a few months into the new year.