Qwest lays off managers in strong sales unit

DENVER - Qwest laid off an unspecified number of managers in its business-markets division this week, a spokeswoman said Thursday.

"We're always looking for ways to serve customers effectively and efficiently, and reducing costs while continuing to improve the customer experience are everyone's goals," said Qwest spokeswoman Monica Martinez.

The business-markets group includes corporate and government customers and generated $4.1 billion in revenue in 2008, representing about 30 percent of the Denver-based telecommunications company's total sales.

One Denver employee who was laid off said notices were given Monday.

"Our entire team was in disbelief because the majority of our team was well over their quota," said the employee, who asked to not to be identified because he expects to receive unpaid commissions through the end of the month.

Continue reading Andy Vuong's story on the Denver Post's site.