I've been through several layoffs, on both sides of the coin. The one consistent factor I've seen is managerial incompetence. Management will fail to provide

I've been through several layoffs, on both sides of the coin. The one consistent factor I've seen is managerial incompetence. Management will fail to provide any leadership or guidance to employees, then blame them for not being productive enough. They can't see their own incompetence, so they blame hiring practices and keep ratcheting up interview difficulty. It's like corporate America has evolved to protect the ego of the managerial class.