> And that isn't because of financials (i.e. going bust)? Typically it is because of financials in my experience. Keep in mind we were all low level employees

> And that isn't because of financials (i.e. going bust)? Typically it is because of financials in my experience. Keep in mind we were all low level employees or just getting started during the 2008 recession. Most of my friends graduated college in the peak of the recession. Basically it falls under 4 categories from my personal experiences: - Downsizing due to decreased profits - "Failing fast" with a product (its not working so it gets shut down and the team gets let go with it) - Increase efficiency (job automation) - Employers trying to do more with less. Lay off 15/20 people on a team and expecting the 5 left to do the same amount of work as the 20 did before the layoff. I've seen it most often with big conglomerates where the management is detached from the workforce. I was at a large web company (won't say who but you'd know the name) where the corporate owners gave word to our office that they needed to save $5,000,000 a year. So they did it... by laying off 40 people and getting a smaller office.