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Most places I've seen could cut 50-80% of people and maintain or even grow output. Will they cut the right 50-80%? Chances are close to nill. And the article
by PeterStuer 2y ago
Most places I've seen could cut 50-80% of people and maintain or even grow output.
Will they cut the right 50-80%? Chances are close to nill.
And the article is right that layoffs curb morale. Then again, what hurts morale even more, especialy for your true performers, is not laying of the incompetent, the 0 net contribution carreer ladder climbers or the pfiepdom pyramid seat fillers and the bloated 'management support' departments.
- int_19h 2y agoWhat hurts morale the most is when layoffs affect teams and people who are clearly not "underperforming". I've seen some star devs getting swiped up into mass layoffs, and that is incredibly demoralizing because it hammers home the point that it doesn't actually matter how good you are at your job, how much esteem you have with colleagues etc. Not even your manager will be able to help you if the entire team gets canned. When your choice is basically having someone incompetent on the team vs not having the guys who carry it the most, I think most people will take the former. Incompetence can be managed to minimize damage, but there's no substitute for lack of competent people.
- PeterStuer 2y agoFully agree with you on the impact of firing competent people. I think you severely underestimate the impact of not firing or even promoting the incompetent or the zero or negative contributers.