[pm90]

Almost 99% sure that They hired a consultant firm (MBB) that told them who to cut; this is pretty standard practice now at public tech corps. Especially if EMs weren’t in the loop. This looks like purely a margin improvement exercise thats hiding weaknesses in the company’s financial performance.

[bpicolo]

EMs are never in the loop for layoffs for companies of this size, because the whole company would just get forewarning of the layoffs

[pm90]

Thats usually correct for these “surprise” layoffs. For the ones that are announced in advance there is a bit more coordination (like the meta/amazn ones).

[bpicolo]

At Amazon managers absolutely are not in the loop for layoffs. I would very much doubt they are at meta.

[morpheuskafka]

I’m sure they don’t know what they are doing or necessarily care, but I’m still curious what the consultants even claim to be looking at to make the list? Job description, git activity, team level profitability, salary, etc?

[philipwhiuk]

They probably claim all of it, but likely only job description.

"You have 20 guys that can code, so you can get rid of two of them".

[pm90]

Employees are treated as a cost which is why you often see the strongest performers inexplicably laid off (since they are likely compensated higher). In situations like this they don’t care about productivity; leadership is given a list and they can move a few people around but for most its game over once they’re on it.

[heldrida]

Wow! Is there any good read on that, like even if a "YouTube" show or something? This is quite interesting.

[pm90]

If you know anyone that works at MBB they would be happy to share this with you; if you’re in SF just hit any bar for a weeknight happy hour and you will 100% find someone.

[shimman]

Yeah, honestly this is where LLMs shine since they were trained on so many MBA/HBS materials. Just remember to ask your questions in a way that praises neoliberalism and you'll unlock even more secrets about how they fuck over and alienate workers.