MOST OF the relatively young workers at TalkTalk regarded their colleagues almost as a family, so the heartfelt words of Olive Roche rang true yesterday as groups huddled outside the call centre’s entrance to discuss the bombshell dropped by management on Wednesday.
“It’s like a bereavement. That’s what it feels like, a bereavement. This is more than just a job; it’s a whole lifestyle.”
Many who went into work at the TalkTalk base in the IDA industrial park on Cork Road spoke of how they enjoyed their jobs, got on well with their co-workers and made many friends over the years. Some were there for more than a decade, others joined in the last year or two, with late 20s-early 30s the most common age bracket.
For much of the 575-strong workforce, young children will have to be fed, mortgages will have to be paid, and car-loan payments have to be met long after the 30-day “consultation process” ends with the departure of TalkTalk from Waterford.
Operations manager Alan Kavanagh said many employees grew with the company in recent years, having joined up as young, free and single men and women.
“During the Celtic Tiger there was a lot of churn here, people coming and going, but we haven’t had anyone leave in so long because of the economy.
“The average age is gone right up. Before, you’d have everyone going to nights out, but now, because everyone is older and married and with kids, they don’t go anywhere.”
Originally from Dublin, Alan moved to Waterford over 11 years ago and lives in the city with his wife Caroline and three children.
“My wife got the news [of the facility’s closure] on the phone and went home crying. I was more worried for her than for me.”
For Claire Larrissey and David Nolan, due to get married next August and both about to lose their jobs at TalkTalk’s sales department, it is “a double whammy”, as Claire puts it.
“I went to college in Maynooth and have an honours degree in maths and microbiology and worked here because it stopped a gap. Now I’m going to be on the dole and no prospects of any sort of job, even with a degree. I qualified in or around the time the recession started.”
David said their wedding plans may have to change, although they already have deposits paid on the “venue, photographer, band and more. We were looking at having a meal for 80 or 100 people, family and friends, and now we’re looking at 15 or 20 people. We’re going to have to completely replan what we’re going to do.”
Colleague Trevor Prendergast, who works as a sales manager in the call centre, said the company provided “fantastic opportunities and a fantastic culture” but now he is worried about the future – and his wedding in November.
He said the Government needs to provide a jobs initiative for Waterford and the southeast region.
“I gave Enda Kenny my vote and I want to see now what Enda Kenny is going to do.”