[nullc]

> , typically to avoid leaks or creating hysteria ahead of decisions being finalized

When a layoff is known to be coming, the best and most employable people will often head for the doors quickly... leaving the company with a greater concentration of less desirable employees.

If it's by surprise then you'll lose fewer of the people you wanted to keep.

[hn_throwaway_99]

I don't that's really generally true. If it seems like the company is a "sinking ship", then yes, people who can see the writing on the wall and have food opportunities elsewhere will often leave quickly.

But in this case, nobody is worried about Stripe's long term trajectory or viability. I doubt the best and most employable people are leaving Stripe.

[saiya-jin]

Imagine you had a recruiter call you for this next gig at great company which has +20% salary bump. Once you hear something bad is coming in your current company and no idea if you will be caught in it or not, its much easier step to just go and accept the next offer that you would otherwise pass.

[emodendroket]

That assumes the "best and most employable people" are confident in their own status as such.