In the US this is completely untrue. Research universities basically never have layoffs. In contrast, Google alone has in the last year laid off more people tha

In the US this is completely untrue. Research universities basically never have layoffs. In contrast, Google alone has in the last year laid off more people than the combined faculties Harvard, Princeton, Yale and Stanford. Private sector layoffs are harder in Europe and academia is less well funded, so it might be true-ish in Europe.