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Let's be real - a lot of tech companies over-hired from late 2020 to early 2022. Many need to cut staff now that the capital markets have dried up. The easiest

Let's be real - a lot of tech companies over-hired from late 2020 to early 2022. Many need to cut staff now that the capital markets have dried up. The easiest way to do that without an actual layoff is to reneg on the promise of being able to work from home. A lot of people will just deal with it, but a small amount won't, and will quit. This is the easiest way to go if you're the executive team, since a lot of this 'soft layoff' will happen voluntarily and will save a lot of the expenses (not to mention the negative signals sent to the market) that come with a real layoff.

Invictus0 4y ago
Who do you think leaves when promises are reneged on? The best people.
- SamuelAdams 4y ago
  Yes, but the best people typically know their worth and leave in 2-3 years anyways, downsize or not. What’s important during a layoff is keeping the company running. How deep can you cut without affecting day-to-day operations? You don’t need 10x experts to keep legacy systems running for 6 months. Good people leaving is a calculate risk that managers probably considered.
- streblo 4y ago
  Not sure I agree. My anecdotal first hand experience is that it's irrespective of talent or work ethic.
  - x86x87 4y ago
    Nope. People with options leave first. Who has options? The best people. It's called the deadsea effect - look it up.
    - streblo 4y ago
      Makes sense in theory, doesn't always seem to in practice.
      - x86x87 4y ago
        it's one of those things where when you notice it it's already too late.
- ornornor 4y ago
  It’s never about the quality of people. Past a certain size, it’s all about politics and appearances, actual performance or quality doesn’t matter. This kind of abuse self selects for docile, “flexible” employees who won’t rock the boat, won’t complain about unpaid overtime, and will take the abuse without causing too much trouble. And that’s a perfect strategy because only this kind of people stay at that kind of companies in the long run.

Invictus0 4y ago

Who do you think leaves when promises are reneged on? The best people.

SamuelAdams 4y ago
Yes, but the best people typically know their worth and leave in 2-3 years anyways, downsize or not. What’s important during a layoff is keeping the company running. How deep can you cut without affecting day-to-day operations? You don’t need 10x experts to keep legacy systems running for 6 months. Good people leaving is a calculate risk that managers probably considered.
streblo 4y ago
Not sure I agree. My anecdotal first hand experience is that it's irrespective of talent or work ethic.
- x86x87 4y ago
  Nope. People with options leave first. Who has options? The best people. It's called the deadsea effect - look it up.
  - streblo 4y ago
    Makes sense in theory, doesn't always seem to in practice.
    - x86x87 4y ago
      it's one of those things where when you notice it it's already too late.
ornornor 4y ago
It’s never about the quality of people. Past a certain size, it’s all about politics and appearances, actual performance or quality doesn’t matter. This kind of abuse self selects for docile, “flexible” employees who won’t rock the boat, won’t complain about unpaid overtime, and will take the abuse without causing too much trouble. And that’s a perfect strategy because only this kind of people stay at that kind of companies in the long run.