Why are layoffs happening in the tech industry?
Life has come full circle in three years of covid-19 pandemic for the tech industry. At the height of the pandemic in 2021, companies were grappling with the “Great Resignation” thanks to the increasing demand for digitalization and the limited availability of a skilled talent pool. However, as the pandemic has subsided in 2022, tech companies have come to realize that the pandemic-induced digital growth is not sustainable. Additionally, the Russian invasion of Ukraine in February 2022 has disrupted global trade and caused rising inflation, pushing economies into recession. As a result, IT spending has decreased globally, forcing tech giants to reconsider their talent strategies and reduce their headcount, resulting in mass layoffs.
Did tech giants get it wrong in handling layoffs?
Though a difficult choice, layoffs are at times deemed necessary to save the company and jobs of many employees while letting some go. But the way it has been handled by the global tech majors like Google and Microsoft is the center of much debate and criticism.
Imagine yourself as a loyal employee who has spent close to two decades in a company building your career from scratch. You learn that you have been laid off by an automated account deactivation at 3:00 in the morning while you are fast asleep after a grueling day at work. You are not given the opportunity to say goodbye to your colleagues and take back your belongings from the company. And this happens a few weeks after your company posts a profit of several billion dollars in quarterly earnings. Ironically, artificial intelligence, big data analytics, and other fancy tools that these companies promote for the betterment of the larger world were unable to forecast their business outlook. Maybe, the leadership was just focused on making the most out of the situation during the pandemic and never bothered about the future. Maybe they were under pressure from the street to show numbers like their competitors.
Effective Strategies for Managing Layoffs Ethically
In situations where layoffs become an unavoidable necessity, it is crucial to approach the entire process with utmost sensitivity, involving seasoned HR professionals and labor law experts. Here’s a comprehensive guide on how to manage layoffs in a compassionate and responsible manner:
Exploring Alternatives
Prior to resorting to layoffs, companies should exhaustively explore alternatives such as implementing pay cuts for all employees, transitioning to a four-day work week, or enforcing mandatory leave with reduced pay. These measures can buy time to address the challenges at hand without immediately resorting to workforce reductions. Management should actively seek input from employees on the ground, valuing their insights and considering their well-being. A pay cut, for instance, could be a more acceptable option for employees compared to witnessing their colleagues lose their jobs.
Identifying Employees for Layoffs
The leadership must invest significant time and effort in identifying which employees will be affected by layoffs. The process should be characterized by transparency and fairness, and it should account for specific employee circumstances, such as expecting mothers, which require a heightened level of sensitivity and empathy. Collaborating with local labor law experts is essential to ensure legal compliance and equitable decision-making.
Communication with Laid-off Employees
Once the list of employees to be laid off has been determined, effective and empathetic communication is key. Employees should be informed of the situation in a candid manner that allows them the space and time to process their emotions and come to terms with the reality. Leadership should personally engage in these discussions, moving away from automated mass deactivations. It’s important to recognize that no amount of monetary compensation, like severance pay or insurance benefits, can replace the self-respect that departing employees deserve.
Offering Outplacement Assistance
Companies should invest in outplacement services and training programs to support laid-off employees in their job search efforts. Providing psychological counseling for both employees and their families can also contribute significantly to helping them cope with the challenges they’re facing.
Supporting Survivors of Layoffs
Employees fortunate enough to retain their jobs after layoffs may experience a range of emotions, including decreased motivation and fears of potential redundancy. Management must provide assurance regarding their future prospects, particularly in the near term. Ensuring that these employees feel valued and secure is crucial for maintaining a productive and motivated workforce.
Moving Forward
While it’s not always possible to completely avoid layoffs, companies can significantly improve the experience by conducting them in a more empathetic manner. Remember, those affected by layoffs are individuals with families, identities beyond work, and self-esteem to uphold. By adopting a more humane approach, companies may even increase the likelihood of rehiring laid-off employees when circumstances improve. Additionally, organizations should prioritize sustainable and equitable growth over short-sighted targets dictated solely by financial performance. The emphasis should be on growing the right way, rather than simply growing right away.
Furthermore, the experience of being laid off or the prospect of it should serve as a reminder to all employees that their self-worth should not be solely tied to their employment status.
Consider these questions
- Would you be willing to accept a reduction in your pay to help save the jobs of your colleagues?
- If a company that laid you off earlier offered you a new employment opportunity, would you consider accepting it?
- Do you find it justifiable for a company to conduct layoffs shortly after reporting substantial quarterly profits in the billions of dollars?
Useful Reads
- Feldman, D. C. (1994). Better practices in managing layoffs. Human Resource Management, 33(2), 239-260.