There are a bunch of issues that others have said, but my primary one is vaguely semi-moral: is it reasonable to give someone a job, and then lay them off when

There are a bunch of issues that others have said, but my primary one is vaguely semi-moral: is it reasonable to give someone a job, and then lay them off when they become inconvenient even if they are still doing that job? If someone knows that this is what you’re planning on doing, do you think that would impact their opinion on whether they should take the job? Or the minimum comp they’d require? So while I do think it is reasonable for a company to lay off people if they aren’t needed (product cancellation, etc), I don’t think that makes overhiring is reasonable, if that is your plan. Especially given you’re planning to do this at the same that their options for alternative employment are going to be reduced.