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From the public info at least, this is one of the better examples of how to handle layoffs: generous severance, an apology that sounds sincere, a reasonable amo

From the public info at least, this is one of the better examples of how to handle layoffs: generous severance, an apology that sounds sincere, a reasonable amount of info, etc. To the commenters saying this is just about juicing profits: ok, maybe so, but it seems at least equally plausible that it is what he says it is. Once you've reached the point that you've realized you've made a mistake, it makes sense to act.

WalterBright 3y ago
Layoffs are often a polite way of firing deadwood. The laid off people can preserve their dignity and apply for unemployment.
- User23 3y ago
  You spelled “people who are bad at office politics” wrong there.
- acdha 3y ago
  If 11% of their employees are “deadwood” they have had a spectacular failure of management.
  - gurchik 3y ago
    The failures of Riot's management have been apparent. Three years ago, the company paid $100 million due to sexual harassment and gender discrimination done at all levels of management including the cofounders and their CEO and COO. Over 150 employees held a walkout. It's not just employees either, on the esports side, the North American players walked out last spring which caused the summer split to be delayed.
    - PH95VuimJjqBqy 3y ago
      the player walkout was due to changes in the league made by Riot, specifically that orgs are no longer required to have academy teams (academy teams are the equivalent of college teams, not pro but better than most players). you're overselling that unnecessarily. But the point about the abuse is true and it wasn't just sexual abuse, it was harassment at all levels. for anyone not aware: https://kotaku.com/top-riot-executive-suspended-without-pay-following-inve-1831084598 https://kotaku.com/top-riot-executive-suspended-without-pay-... > Earlier this week, Riot’s CEO sent an e-mail to employees describing the punishment its COO, Scott Gelb, will face after multiple employees alleged that, as a comedy bit, he has repeatedly touched subordinates’ balls or butt or farted in their faces. Several employees tell Kotaku that his punishment—two months of unpaid leave and training—is far from satisfactory. you can't make this shit up, and in fact it's so ridiculous we don't need to mislabel the player walkout, the truth is bad enough by itself.
      - gurchik 3y ago
        I'm sorry, I didn't intend to say that the player walkout was due to sexual harassment or discrimination claims. The player's association voted for a walkout because the players did not have faith in Riot and in fact believed that their decisions were jeopardizing the health of the esport. I agree the player walkout had nothing to do with the employee walkout and in fact it happened much later, after the lawsuit had already been settled. The way I wrote the comment made it seem like they were the same when it was actually my intention to say the opposite. I was trying to say that Riot has failed in other ways unrelated to sexual harassment and discrimination.
- ska 3y ago
  > Layoffs are often a polite way of firing deadwood This may well sometimes be true, but I doubt it passes over to "often".

WalterBright 3y ago

Layoffs are often a polite way of firing deadwood. The laid off people can preserve their dignity and apply for unemployment.

User23 3y ago
You spelled “people who are bad at office politics” wrong there.
acdha 3y ago
If 11% of their employees are “deadwood” they have had a spectacular failure of management.
- gurchik 3y ago
  The failures of Riot's management have been apparent. Three years ago, the company paid $100 million due to sexual harassment and gender discrimination done at all levels of management including the cofounders and their CEO and COO. Over 150 employees held a walkout. It's not just employees either, on the esports side, the North American players walked out last spring which caused the summer split to be delayed.
  - PH95VuimJjqBqy 3y ago
    the player walkout was due to changes in the league made by Riot, specifically that orgs are no longer required to have academy teams (academy teams are the equivalent of college teams, not pro but better than most players). you're overselling that unnecessarily. But the point about the abuse is true and it wasn't just sexual abuse, it was harassment at all levels. for anyone not aware: https://kotaku.com/top-riot-executive-suspended-without-pay-following-inve-1831084598 https://kotaku.com/top-riot-executive-suspended-without-pay-... > Earlier this week, Riot’s CEO sent an e-mail to employees describing the punishment its COO, Scott Gelb, will face after multiple employees alleged that, as a comedy bit, he has repeatedly touched subordinates’ balls or butt or farted in their faces. Several employees tell Kotaku that his punishment—two months of unpaid leave and training—is far from satisfactory. you can't make this shit up, and in fact it's so ridiculous we don't need to mislabel the player walkout, the truth is bad enough by itself.
    - gurchik 3y ago
      I'm sorry, I didn't intend to say that the player walkout was due to sexual harassment or discrimination claims. The player's association voted for a walkout because the players did not have faith in Riot and in fact believed that their decisions were jeopardizing the health of the esport. I agree the player walkout had nothing to do with the employee walkout and in fact it happened much later, after the lawsuit had already been settled. The way I wrote the comment made it seem like they were the same when it was actually my intention to say the opposite. I was trying to say that Riot has failed in other ways unrelated to sexual harassment and discrimination.
ska 3y ago
> Layoffs are often a polite way of firing deadwood This may well sometimes be true, but I doubt it passes over to "often".