Thread regarding Salesforce.com Inc. layoffs

Welcome to the real life - This is normal

I am sorry for the people who have been laid off and are in shock, but I am afraid this is real life, capitalism and not that uncommon.

Companies exist to make profits (particularly when they are publicly listed), some expensive and long tenured people will be cut (replaced by younger/cheaper ones) so it's not just about skills/performance, and being notified by email and cut off from systems/Slack right away is the norm.

At the end of the day, work is just a business transaction between employees and employers, nothing more.

Mark B doesn't control anymore what SF does, the market does. The market wants profits.

Arguably, he could probably have managed a bit better the process to be aligned to his so-called values. Joining a hands-on call 20 min late and not even apologising for it, while 40K people are waiting for some serious announcements, is arrogant at best. Doesn't he get advice from his entourage on this???

by Anonymous
| 2591 views | | 4 replies (last February 5, 2023) | Reply
Post ID: @OP+1l2eQvul
Comment! It's anonymous!

4 replies (most recent on top)

The problem is now I am 50+ and very hard to get a job. Major pay cut if one is offered.

by Anonymous
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Post ID: @lox+1l2eQvul

I have been laid off repeatedly during my 20-plus years as a professional. The bitter truth that a lot of people who work in the tech industry need to realize is that it's not a very "safe" industry to work in. Because so much of it counts on external investment. And all it takes is one small thing to tip the stool over. The tech industry has thrived mainly because money has been cheap for a long time with interest rates so low. All it took was raising those interest rates and suddenly money becomes more expensive, and their business prospects look less attractive as an investment to outside financiers.

I was around during the first.com bubble. It was way more brutal back then. I always tell people work as if the next day could be your last and be expected to be let go at any point. That's why it's important to keep your skills fresh, and keep your financial house in order so that you can survive, lay off

by Anonymous
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Post ID: @wci+1l2eQvul

Well, some people would say "it is normal life". Maybe this is how it happens in the US and some other countries where labor laws are in favor of employers and where somehow ruthless / brutal decisions are made for thousands of employees. Maybe, those countries are also where people can re-bounce quickly into new jobs. Does that make it 'normal"? Normality is a relative concept.

Is it normal / acceptable / fair to say "we made a mistake, you need to forgive us"? Where is the accountability? Could a more balanced / fairer approach be taken?

E.g. We need to reduce our workforce by 10% as we hired too much. This is going to impact employees with long tenure as well as recently hired ones who had made the decision to quit their job and join Salesforce. C-level and key decision makers made a big mistake impacting thousand of employees and are accountable for it. Consequently, they will see their bonus cancelled and will not receive any stock award for FY23 and FY24.

by Anonymous
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Post ID: @rzt+1l2eQvul

well....this sounds like someone that was not affected by the layoffs. if you were on our side you'd be crying like the rest of us but yes, MB is now slave to bigger people....he has failed us all

by Anonymous
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Post ID: @ixt+1l2eQvul

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