In this case though, the graph shows that the layoffs are bringing Buffer to profitability. If they kept that secret and just told the employees not to worry,

In this case though, the graph shows that the layoffs are bringing Buffer to profitability. If they kept that secret and just told the employees not to worry, they would be just as likely to assume that management was merely decreasing the burn, in which case their assumption would be worse than reality. Secrecy cuts both ways.