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Macworld lays off most staff

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Re: Macworld lays off most staff

#31
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"Or waited a while after?" Perhaps they think that there is a money tree that you just shake to pay employee salaries. I think a comment like the parent (or perhaps that attitude) comes from a failure to realize that in the traditional business world business needs to operate at a profit. There is no runway like the startup runway. Business and life isn't fair and it's not about hurt feelings. And you can't let perso…

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Re: Macworld lays off most staff

#33
post #28
post #16

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Attending events like the one yesterday has to be one of the best perks of the job Are you serious? Live blogging events like that is utter misery. Constant stress for an entire day.

I was at the original iPhone launch for CNET, and there was a lot of stress, as you say. But watching Steve Jobs unveil it was a magical experience, and it also was very much a perk of the job.

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Re: Macworld lays off most staff

#36
post #16
post #13

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Surely that's better than laying them off the day before the event? Attending events like the one yesterday has to be one of the best perks of the job, and if any of the employees had wind of what was coming, it would have been a great place to network for their next opportunity.

Attending events like the one yesterday has to be one of the best perks of the job Are you serious? Live blogging events like that is utter misery. Constant stress for an entire day.

Have you live-blogged similar events? Just wondering.

Re: Macworld lays off most staff

#37
post #16

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Attending events like the one yesterday has to be one of the best perks of the job Are you serious? Live blogging events like that is utter misery. Constant stress for an entire day.

(Shrug) Stressful or not, it's one of those jobs that someone, somewhere, will cheerfully do for free.

How about being totally open about the state of the company, so people have advanced notice and the opportunity to prepare?

Surprise layoffs essentially reduce a significant inconvenience for the employer at the cost of a massive, stressful life changing event for the employees. It's always an asshole move.

Re: Macworld lays off most staff

#38
post #16

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Attending events like the one yesterday has to be one of the best perks of the job Are you serious? Live blogging events like that is utter misery. Constant stress for an entire day.

(Shrug) Stressful or not, it's one of those jobs that someone, somewhere, will cheerfully do for free.

So what? There are plenty of things that are really great to do once for fun, but still devolve to a grind when you do it all the time for work.

I'd drive a tractor trailer or a tank for free, or work on a 787 assembly line. But that doesn't mean the people who do it every day for a living consider it a perk to do their jobs.

Additionally, the people who cheerfully do this stuff for free are often the people you don't want doing it for you for real.

Re: Macworld lays off most staff

#39
post #19

Earlier quoted context omitted.

"Or waited a while after?" Perhaps they think that there is a money tree that you just shake to pay employee salaries. I think a comment like the parent (or perhaps that attitude) comes from a failure to realize that in the traditional business world business needs to operate at a profit. There is no runway like the startup runway. Business and life isn't fair and it's not about hurt feelings. And you can't let perso…

While I see your point, I cannot agree with you. Business is not separated from the people that form it. Yes, good businesses are profitable. Yes, if it weren't for the profits, there should be no businesses. But from my point of view, when you hire someone to work for you, you have some moral (if not legal) obligations with that person. You could say that laying them off was "good, financially". Maybe it was even th…

What moral obligation do you feel was neglected here? Surely hiring someone doesn't create a moral obligation to never lay them off if you can't afford to pay them anymore.
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