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>In response to another question about ongoing layoffs and reorganizations and what might be coming in the future, Pichai said, "If we are making companywide de

by aftbit 2y ago

>In response to another question about ongoing layoffs and reorganizations and what might be coming in the future, Pichai said, "If we are making companywide decisions, we'll definitely let you know." Yeah right, they'll definitely let you know when they lay you off, but not a minute sooner.

onion2k 2y ago
It's worse than that. All Pichai has to do is say "We're not laying off anyone who works in <some tiny department in the basement of Mountain View with 4 people>" and suddenly it's no longer a "companywide decision" so the board can weasel out of telling everyone.
happyopossum 2y ago
Yeah, that’s kinda for the best. Have you ever worked someplace where layoffs had been pre-announced? Humans don’t act well in an environment like that.
- inerte 2y ago
  It's not unheard of. I personally know of people at Splunk, HP, and Groupon who knew they would be laid off / fired months before it actually happened.
- s1artibartfast 2y ago
  My workplace announced a 10% cut and the implementation time is many many months. Doesn't seem like a big deal. Most people I know don't think they are in the bottom 10%
- jumping_frog 2y ago
  https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2023/may/24/meta-layoffs-final-round-facebook https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2023/may/24/meta-layo... Article published on 24th May, layoffs announced in March. Meta started carrying out the last batch of a three-part round of layoffs on Wednesday, according to a source familiar with the matter, as part of a plan announced in March to eliminate 10,000 roles.
toast0 2y ago
My take on these kinds of meetings is there's not a lot of information that they could share that's of consequence to employees, but not of consequence to shareholders. Layoffs and reorgs will be need to be disclosed to shareholders and that's going to probably be done to both groups at a similar time. Expecting early disclosure to employees is unrealistic.
- transcriptase 2y ago
  I’ve noticed the common employee doesn’t really understand that executives aren’t going to tell them any material non-public information at all hands meetings. Or that the answer to “will there be any more layoffs?” is never going to be answered truthfully or satisfactorily.
  - SpicyLemonZest 2y ago
    It's not about what they will say but what they won't say. When companies are confident they won't need to do layoffs soon, CEOs can and do say something to that effect instead of "If we are making companywide decisions, we’ll definitely let you know".
    - mh- 2y ago
      The problem is, no executive can (responsibly) say that. What if macro conditions worsen? Some kind of black swan event? I don't think it's appropriate to say "we're definitely not doing layoffs soon." Not to mention, people will quibble about what they mean by soon and start asking for timelines. It's a lose-lose situation to be up on stage and get asked this question, and I think it shows a bit of immaturity or naiveté to pose it.

by aftbit 2y ago

onion2k 2y ago

It's worse than that. All Pichai has to do is say "We're not laying off anyone who works in <some tiny department in the basement of Mountain View with 4 people>" and suddenly it's no longer a "companywide decision" so the board can weasel out of telling everyone.

happyopossum 2y ago

Yeah, that’s kinda for the best. Have you ever worked someplace where layoffs had been pre-announced? Humans don’t act well in an environment like that.

inerte 2y ago
It's not unheard of. I personally know of people at Splunk, HP, and Groupon who knew they would be laid off / fired months before it actually happened.
s1artibartfast 2y ago
My workplace announced a 10% cut and the implementation time is many many months. Doesn't seem like a big deal. Most people I know don't think they are in the bottom 10%
jumping_frog 2y ago
https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2023/may/24/meta-layoffs-final-round-facebook https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2023/may/24/meta-layo... Article published on 24th May, layoffs announced in March. Meta started carrying out the last batch of a three-part round of layoffs on Wednesday, according to a source familiar with the matter, as part of a plan announced in March to eliminate 10,000 roles.

toast0 2y ago

My take on these kinds of meetings is there's not a lot of information that they could share that's of consequence to employees, but not of consequence to shareholders. Layoffs and reorgs will be need to be disclosed to shareholders and that's going to probably be done to both groups at a similar time. Expecting early disclosure to employees is unrealistic.

transcriptase 2y ago
I’ve noticed the common employee doesn’t really understand that executives aren’t going to tell them any material non-public information at all hands meetings. Or that the answer to “will there be any more layoffs?” is never going to be answered truthfully or satisfactorily.
- SpicyLemonZest 2y ago
  It's not about what they will say but what they won't say. When companies are confident they won't need to do layoffs soon, CEOs can and do say something to that effect instead of "If we are making companywide decisions, we’ll definitely let you know".
  - mh- 2y ago
    The problem is, no executive can (responsibly) say that. What if macro conditions worsen? Some kind of black swan event? I don't think it's appropriate to say "we're definitely not doing layoffs soon." Not to mention, people will quibble about what they mean by soon and start asking for timelines. It's a lose-lose situation to be up on stage and get asked this question, and I think it shows a bit of immaturity or naiveté to pose it.