4 ms·

So, I have some inside knowledge on this one. There were many people who were axed as part of the layoffs days after start. But these layoffs were planned for

So, I have some inside knowledge on this one. There were many people who were axed as part of the layoffs days after start. But these layoffs were planned for months. The thinking was either 1) we can rescind job offers and give them nothing or 2) at least give a severance package to people who expected employment. Now, I'm not excusing that there are cases like this that fall through the cracks. It really really sucks. I'm not sure how to process it... when you're laying off 10k+ people there are bound to be "bugs"/misses and general failures. Should META have preemptively rescinded this employee's offer so they got nothing but at least didn't move? Maybe. Or give months of pay as an "I'm sorry our timing was awful (like they did)" in exchange for their own failure? Also a bad option given the move. I feel for this person. They got caught in get crossfire and that really blows. I'd be pretty pissed. In the other hand, the thought behind what happened was admirable - even though it created some awful edge cases. META has done a lot to draw ire. In this case I was impressed by management's decision not to rescind offers and save maximum money but to acknowledge that people would have quit jobs, moved, etc and give severances. A counterpoint could be "why give the job offer in the first place"? Given the level of secrecy and reality of a nearly 90k person company - it's highly doubtful that the people involved in the hiring process had any idea of the impending layoffs. Still - super super crappy for anyone who relocated due to the offer.

madeofpalk 4y ago
> Should META have preemptively rescinded this employee's offer so they got nothing but at least didn't move? Maybe. Yes, 100%. Relocating internationally is extremely taxing. Dealing with immigration stuff, even if another company "handles it" for you, it's still a huge toll on you mentally. I would pay $$$ to avoid a needless relocation.
- plgonzalezrx8 4y ago
  Sadly, in the mind of these young white knights making these decisions, they thought they were doing these folks a favor by saving them from their poor country.
kcplate 4y ago
> Given the level of secrecy and reality of a nearly 90k person company - it's highly doubtful that the people involved in the hiring process had any idea of the impending layoffs. This is a reality of the world that many commentators on HN seems to miss on these layoff threads. The circle of knowledge on layoffs starts small, and stays small, and only expands slightly maybe a day or two before the event as you bring into the fold key personnel that might be needed to support the event.
Tao3300 4y ago
There are way more options than the two you listed. The trouble is that you're using bureaucratic thinking about how to handle all the cases instead of getting down to the human, personal level of how you handle each specific case.

madeofpalk 4y ago

> Should META have preemptively rescinded this employee's offer so they got nothing but at least didn't move? Maybe. Yes, 100%. Relocating internationally is extremely taxing. Dealing with immigration stuff, even if another company "handles it" for you, it's still a huge toll on you mentally. I would pay $$$ to avoid a needless relocation.

plgonzalezrx8 4y ago
Sadly, in the mind of these young white knights making these decisions, they thought they were doing these folks a favor by saving them from their poor country.

kcplate 4y ago

> Given the level of secrecy and reality of a nearly 90k person company - it's highly doubtful that the people involved in the hiring process had any idea of the impending layoffs. This is a reality of the world that many commentators on HN seems to miss on these layoff threads. The circle of knowledge on layoffs starts small, and stays small, and only expands slightly maybe a day or two before the event as you bring into the fold key personnel that might be needed to support the event.

Tao3300 4y ago

There are way more options than the two you listed. The trouble is that you're using bureaucratic thinking about how to handle all the cases instead of getting down to the human, personal level of how you handle each specific case.