Severance

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2023

Restructuring and Related Activities [Abstract]

Periodically, we reduce our workforce and accrue liabilities for the related severance costs. These workforce reductions result primarily from: increased competitive pressures, cost reduction initiatives, process improvements through automation and reduced workloads due to reduced demand for certain services.

Changes in our accrued liabilities for severance expenses were as follows:


	Severance
	(Dollars in millions)
Balance at December 31, 2022	$	11
Accrued to expense	21
Payments, net	(19)
Balance at September 30, 2023	$	13

On October 31, 2023, the Company announced a plan to reduce its global workforce by approximately 4% as part of its ongoing efforts to reorganize Lumen for growth by right-sizing its operations to improve its profitability. The workforce reduction is expected to be substantially completed by the end of the fourth quarter of 2023. As a result of this plan, the Company expects to incur severance and related costs in the range of approximately $55 to $65 million. The Company does not expect to incur any material impairment or exit costs related to this plan. The workforce reduction is considered a subsequent event for the purposes of these financial statements, and therefore, no accrual for severance and related costs has been recorded as of September 30, 2023.