I don't know if you work at a huge company. Maybe you do. I've worked at a couple. Like government, large companies provide a sheltered environment where thing

I don't know if you work at a huge company. Maybe you do. I've worked at a couple. Like government, large companies provide a sheltered environment where things happen that couldn't survive out in the real world. Sometimes that's high risk research - Google X, the Manhattan Project. Usually it's people who don't know excel supports formulas, and departments that could be replaced by a web form. These are protected by many layers of politics, and natural human compassion by managers at all levels who don't like firing people. Every layoff I've seen, the subtext has been 'lop off the deadwood'. They would make up a reason, but everyone would know.