Rogers offers voluntary departure packages to roughly 10,000 employees

The Rogers Communications sign is marks the company's headquarters in Toronto, April 25, 2012. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Aaron Vincent Elkaim

Rogers Communications Inc. is offering voluntary departure packages to about 10,000 employees in its workforce as the telecom giant moves to cut costs amid slowing industry growth.

The company confirmed to CTVNews.ca that certain teams across its business units and corporate functions are eligible for the program, which allows employees to opt for a buyout or retirement package.

“We are taking steps to adjust our cost structure to reflect the business realities of the current environment,” a Rogers spokesperson said in a statement. “As part of this, some teams have chosen to offer voluntary departure and retirement programs to give some employees the choice to decide whether they’d like to stay with the company or begin a new chapter.”

Not all employees are included. The company says unionized workers are not eligible, and some groups, including on-air talent and employees working on Sportsnet productions, are excluded. Staff at Maple Leaf Sports & Entertainment and the Toronto Blue Jays are also not part of the voluntary buyout program.