Layoffs can be horizontal (cut departments or divisions) or vertical (rank and cut the bottom). In horizontal layoffs, usually a lot of talented people and eve

Layoffs can be horizontal (cut departments or divisions) or vertical (rank and cut the bottom). In horizontal layoffs, usually a lot of talented people and even turn-key teams are available on the market. Sometimes companies try to turn horizontal layoffs vertical by offering internal mobility for high performers from the cut teams, but sometimes they don’t. Publicly stating that layoffs are purely vertical is very bad for the employees who are laid off as they no longer re-apply with the “benefit of doubt” that they may have been caught as collateral damage in horizontal layoffs.