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Can we lay off the layoffs?

We’re only human

January 30, 2023

Hi everyone! You know when you work really hard picking out a font to give your budget meeting presentation that je ne sais quoi and then your CFO says Comic Sans “isn’t” “appropriate?” That’s how I’ll feel if I write this email and it ends up in your spam. To make sure that doesn’t happen:

  • If you use Gmail, move this email to your primary inbox.

  • Apple Mail? Add us to your VIP list (we promise we know the band).

  • If you’re on Outlook, pop us on over to your favorites.

  • Still using your Hotmail from 2003…? Honestly, more power to you.

And if you get this email every time? Forward it to someone who might enjoy our specific brand of Jim sun, Oscar rising, Angela moon.

Today: We’re talking about the mass layoffs in tech. Might we suggest something a little lighter (read: the best song ever recorded) for your listening pleasure while you read on?

—Rod

How to Lay People Off the Right Way (Plz Read, Big Tech)

Over the past year, nearly 200K tech workers have been let go from their jobs c/o widespread budget cuts (the kind bringing your own toilet paper to the office can’t fix) and corporate downsizing that go along with this very weird 2023 economic outlook.

With the very real possibility of a recession (or a “slowcession” or a “richcession” depending on whether you get your economic news from Twitter)...do I understand the need to reevaluate corporate priorities and budgets? Yes. Do I think there’s a better way to lay off an employee who’s spent 20 years working for you than with a templated email? Also yes.

With that I present: The WorkDaze Guide to Not Sucking at Layoffs.

Because no one wakes up amped to deliver bad news to thousands of people. But approaching the difficult decision to pull the layoffs lever the right way can soften the inevitable blow.

Instead of this: Locking an employee out of their email as a means of letting them know they’ve been laid off.

Do this: Take a human approach. Have a conversation, preferably IRL, and show that you genuinely care for their wellbeing. Have none of these CEOs watched a Bachelor breakup?

Instead of this: Cutting off all benefits immediately without warning.

Do this: Advocate for employee aid. A company once paid for six months of my health insurance after I was let go, which relieved a ton of anxiety, both health and financial.

Instead of this: Leaving your employees high and dry without any offboarding process (or just nixing their Slack access as a means of signaling their layoff).

Do this: Be a resource. A respectful and appreciative letter of recommendation or an endorsement on LinkedIn goes a long way.

Instead of this: Not notifying your employees that anything is wrong until they show up for work and their badge is deactivated.

Do this: Be as transparent as possible. I was once clued in by management that my entire team was going to be laid off in four months. As bummed as I was, I appreciated the heads up to get my ducks in a row. Confidentiality is tricky, but being as open as possible with your employees will make it easier on both ends in the long run.

One more thing: If you’ve been affected by these layoffs, I’m truly sorry. As much as I say “a job is just a job,” I understand that it’s actually our means of getting a roof over our heads, putting food on our tables, and keeping our livelihoods intact.

I’m thinking of you during this tough time, and things will get better soon. 💕

Things to Slack your work besties

…after your 2pm mental health walk around the block.

Last week's hearing to take Ticketmaster to task after the great Eras Tour meltdown proved Swifties are literally everywhere...including the US Senate. Send this to your boss who keeps trying to make fetch happen.

I was unfortunately reminded of the chaos that ensued in 2015, all because of THE dress.

So in the name of preserving 2015 culture, I gotta know: Is the dress blue/black or white/gold?

Login or Subscribe to participate in polls.

Speaking of transparency! Julia Fox just gave the world a TikTok tour of her home and let’s just say I feel a lot better about not making my bed this morning.

Okay, byeeeee! See you back here on Friday for burning answers to your burning questions.

IDK WHAT DO I KNOW?! LMAO!

—Rod

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