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> HypeScript > Flack nice. we need more of this satire. although it's hard to out-satire reality right now.
"We won't share a list of the affected employees because some of them might not want the information to be public" was the biggest bullshit I've heard recently - no fiction needed. Discovering that people you worked with for years have been laid off only because you randomly notice their slack is deactivated has to be one of 2024s gifts to humanity.
2024? It happened to me in 2020, right after Covid. I was unable to reach a colleague, thought he was sick (not unusual, he had health issues often). Until the “standup” rolled around and we were told he was laid off. Apparently he himself found out after most of his logins were shut off. Corporate world is as gutless as it is soulless
"We won't share a list of the affected employees because some of them might not want the information to be public" was the biggest bullshit I've heard recently - no fiction needed. Discovering that people you worked with for years have been laid off only because you randomly notice their slack is deactivated has to be one of 2024s gifts to humanity.
Step 1. A company lays off employees and shares the list. Step 2. The list is shared on social media. Step 3. A former employee that's on that list sues the company.
No need for the disclaimer. I know this is fake because Scroogle would never do anything as personal as a 1:1 when laying people off.
[Spoiler alert - look away now if you haven't read the story] I'd expect the logical extension to this to wholly be using AI for the managerial aspect of bringing you into the conversation. Employers will have the right to make use of a manger's likeness for reasons they see fit, such as using a bot to layoff their direct reports. Removes the emotional liability from the manager.
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> one of 2024s gifts to humanity You think that started in 2024? You sweet summer child
There aren't many ways to get more condescending than this. Congrats.
Agreed that the condescension is the worst part of this, but a close 2nd-place has to be how cliché this is by now.
"We won't share a list of the affected employees because some of them might not want the information to be public" was the biggest bullshit I've heard recently - no fiction needed. Discovering that people you worked with for years have been laid off only because you randomly notice their slack is deactivated has to be one of 2024s gifts to humanity.
This has been one of my most surprising/weird experiences working for US startups. In the other two countries I've been, at the very least my manager sat with each of us, or in group, or some sort of announcement when someone I was working with would stop (either voluntarily or involuntarily). Seeing names and 1-1 conversations just disappear from Slack without anyone saying anything is very bizarre. But I had to lea…
Most recently, during COVID, I was laid off with no contact with my manager and no explanation. My recruiter called right before my access was terminated at 5pm.
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I agree the format is interesting. What are some other examples of short stories about technology, recent or less so?
Most short stories about technology are about it's role in society. Take a look at any of the winning or short-listed short stories from any reputable sci-fi award (like the Nebula or Locus) and you'll find them by the dozen. I like stories by Asimov and Bradbury. If you're looking for something contemporary, take a gander at Ted Chiang.
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I really don’t get why companies won’t allow limited access to email at least to send a goodbye message and contact details to their colleagues. You could spin up new email boxes if you are worried about them downloading emails even. It just seems really cold to not let people say goodbye and point their colleagues to their LinkedIn so they can get some recommendations and such. For the companies that allow this I sa…
Could be they want to avoid the remaining employees getting emails saying Turns out the competition pay much better anyway .