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Stack Overflow reduces global workforce by approximately 15%

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Re: Stack Overflow reduces global workforce by approximately 15%

#91

In this time of uncertainty, wouldn't be more humane to just reduce the salary 15% to everyone?

From a business perspective it would be a bad idea. If you have three revenue streams (Advertising, Enterprise communication product, hiring product/marketplace), of which two are doing very well and one is not doing well (hiring) you need to continue investing in what is working and stop burning money on what is not working. Otherwise you will lose your competitive edge in the areas that are working well.

In the end, the responsibility of the CEO is not to give every employee the best life possible but to ensure the long-term success and survival of the company. If this is ensured, it also means job security for everyone not laid off!

Re: Stack Overflow reduces global workforce by approximately 15%

#92
post #8

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Companies are cutting down on advertising and non-mandatory spending. Plus paid job ads are probably not making much money right now

The post directly says they are seeing growth in their advertising business.

Their advertising business is growing. But not for job ads. Job cuts are focused on the job area. (According to the article.)

Re: Stack Overflow reduces global workforce by approximately 15%

#93

SO has really become a toxic place which is run by politically correct people. Just look at this corporate speak blog. I don't understand how the corona virus would impact them so hard they have to cut jobs, seems like a bullshit reason to just cut people off imo. Every company should be prepared for bad times. I have no sympathy for the management. They have obviously done a poor job.

At first, I did not understand either how Corona would affect them. But they explain it in the article: a big part of their revenue comes from job listings. Since very few companies are hiring right now, that revenue is down significantly.

Re: Stack Overflow reduces global workforce by approximately 15%

#94

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Take a look around this comment section. This move isn't being received well by anyone and nobody is buying his bullshit. That, and mass layoffs are typically an excellent indicator of incompetence.

I think you’re missing my point. The CEO likely doesn’t give a hoot about HN’s opinion. They probably care about their bonus and how it all advances themselves on their career path.

> They probably care about their bonus and how it all advances themselves on their career path.

That doesn't sound anything like the priorities of a competent CEO. I think you're missing my point, too.

Re: Stack Overflow reduces global workforce by approximately 15%

#95
post #89

Furloughed, mostly

please, don't drink their kool-aid. it's fired, not furloughed. it's to be able to not lose ability to generate profit, not "to be able to serve our customers" it's to save 85% who we think are more worth, not "we are all in this together"

Not losing the ability to generate profit is a key requirement to be able to serve their customers. They are not a charity but a for-profit company.

Re: Stack Overflow reduces global workforce by approximately 15%

#96

I understand they had to do it (I'm sure we—their users—understand), but I can't understand the need for bullshit business-speak. Just say, "Due to circumstances you all familiar with, business is slow, so I have to let go of some people from X department." Putting up bullshit like this is like adding insult to injury. Especially, since their user demographics are mostly people who don't like bullshit.

eps. given the fact that this site is a product for developers, i.e. people specifically allergic to marketingspeak.

Re: Stack Overflow reduces global workforce by approximately 15%

#97

I understand they had to do it (I'm sure we—their users—understand), but I can't understand the need for bullshit business-speak. Just say, "Due to circumstances you all familiar with, business is slow, so I have to let go of some people from X department." Putting up bullshit like this is like adding insult to injury. Especially, since their user demographics are mostly people who don't like bullshit.

eps. given the fact that this site is a product for developers, i.e. people specifically allergic to marketingspeak.

I initially wanted to say that, but then I realized they have other Stack Exchange sites :)

Re: Stack Overflow reduces global workforce by approximately 15%

#98
Chance of getting a meaningful reply on any technical question which answer does not simply involve providing the documentation for the given framework or language involved:

- Stack Overflow: 1% - Reddit: 8% - The Daily WTF forum: 81%

This is internet is broken. I want the old one back.

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