Granite lays off 68 workers − 40 from Quincy office
QUINCY − Granite Telecommunications has laid off 40 workers at its Quincy office and 68 company wide.
The job cuts come as the business transitions away from "plain old telephones," known in the industry as POTS, to more high-tech services. according to Granite spokesperson Sana Sheikh.
Sheikh told The Patriot Ledger that automation through artificial intelligence also contributed to the cuts. She said that Granite, which employees over 2,150 people, continues to grow even as it cuts jobs in certain areas.
"Since (the January job cuts), we've already hired 16 people in Quincy to fill new needs," Sheikh said.
According to a March 2023 report by the Pew Research Center, about one in five American workers have jobs that could be either aided or replaced by artificial intelligence.
Reports of layoffs at the $1.8 billion company first surfaced in mid-January on TheLayoff.com, an online discussion board for workers to discuss anonymously actual or speculative job cuts at their companies.
Wollaston shooting: Police investigating overnight shooting in Quincy's Wollaston neighborhood
Public safety HQ: How the new Quincy public safety building construction is going and when it'll be done
On the discussion board, posts complained of a lack of notice and expressed disappointment at being let go after many years of service.
"I put my head down, and did it when no one else would," one poster wrote. "I'm not mad. I'm not bitter, but I am very disappointed."
Granite Telecommunications is owned by North Andover native Rob Hale, whose estimated net worth is $5 billion. Hale also owns FoxRock Properties, the real estate developer behind major Quincy projects such as Ashlar Park, Center and Stone and a new medical center soon to get underway in the downtown.
Granite Telecommunications has been in business since 2002. According to a May 2023 press release, the company surpassed its annual revenue goal of $1.85 billion thanks to $50 million in revenue growth over the preceding year.
Hale is known in the region for his high-profile philanthropy. His annual 'Saving by Shaving' event has raised millions for Boston Children's Hospital. His family gave $5 million to Quincy's YMCA, which now bears his name. In May 2023, Hale made headlines for surprising UMass-Boston graduates with $1,000 each, a gift totaling $2,523,000.
Thanks to our subscribers, who help make this coverage possible. If you are not a subscriber, please consider supporting quality local journalism with a Patriot Ledger subscription. Here is our latest offer.
This article originally appeared on The Patriot Ledger: Quincy layoffs at Granite Telecommunications due to automation
