Maybe that's why the stack ranking/up-or-out systems are so pervasive. When companies cut 10% of employees every year there is no writing on the wall. When they

Maybe that's why the stack ranking/up-or-out systems are so pervasive. When companies cut 10% of employees every year there is no writing on the wall. When they want to reduce headcount by 10% they just slow hiring but keep firing that year. Much less obvious as a signal to get out, than a large axe.