Hacker News Board Hacker News, browsed like a classic message board
Live data from Hacker News

Apollo Layoffs

apollographql.com

Post reply on HN
Print view View original

21–30 of 219 posts

Re: Apollo Layoffs

#21

Post by Traubenfuchs »

Say the truth.

The expected growth of revenue by growing our workforce did not happen. Together with the tough economic climate, we came to the conclusion that letting 15% of our workforce go will put the company in a better position to survive and navigate the future. Hopefully there will be future opportunities that allow us to grow again.

We are all very sorry for this. Personally, I can barely sleep thinking about the stress and troubles my former colleagues will face having lost their job. We feel it‘s our duty to provide a fair severance package with at least x more months of pay, y months of health insurance, etc.

I am not a writer! Others could do this much better!

At least pretend to be a fucking human and don‘t write disgusting copy-paste trash that sounds like it came from a lobotomized HR junior like Mr. Schmidt did.

Re: Apollo Layoffs

#22

Post by quonn »

sidfthec wrote: post #7
celtain wrote: post #6

Earlier quoted context omitted.

What would you prefer that they say instead? "I made no wrong decisions, I have no regrets leaving all of you unemployed."?

"I'll be resigning when [the board/leadership] finds a replacement." I always get massive push back when I suggest this, but it's the only remedy that makes sense. If you have to layoff 15% of the workforce when the growth was under your command, and you want to take responsibility, then step down. Own your mistake.

For startups such a step is likely to ruin the company. And in any case that founder would keep their stake in the company while not being able to influence it anymore. Doesn‘t make sense.

Re: Apollo Layoffs

#23

Post by jcadam »

robofanatic wrote: post #17
jackson1442 wrote: post #8

Layoffs are going to suck regardless, but this is one of the best severance packages I've seen in this wave: * 15 weeks base pay + 1 week per year of employment * 6 months COBRA + $300 mental health * no 1-yr cliff, options can be exercised thru next year * you can keep all your equipment

just curious, can one collect unemployment during severance?

I would think not. The one time I was on UE (back in 2008), you had to report any income you received.

edit: apparently in some states you can - at least in Colorado in 2008, you could not. Generally your unemployment would be reduced by the amount of income you brought in. So, in any case, severance payments from a typical tech job would far exceed UE anyway...

Re: Apollo Layoffs

#24

Post by hn_throwaway_99 »

robofanatic wrote: post #17
jackson1442 wrote: post #8

Layoffs are going to suck regardless, but this is one of the best severance packages I've seen in this wave: * 15 weeks base pay + 1 week per year of employment * 6 months COBRA + $300 mental health * no 1-yr cliff, options can be exercised thru next year * you can keep all your equipment

just curious, can one collect unemployment during severance?

Hmm, I thought this was a good question so I looked it up. At least in my state you cannot.

Re: Apollo Layoffs

#25

Post by tshaddox »

sidfthec wrote: post #7
celtain wrote: post #6

Earlier quoted context omitted.

What would you prefer that they say instead? "I made no wrong decisions, I have no regrets leaving all of you unemployed."?

"I'll be resigning when [the board/leadership] finds a replacement." I always get massive push back when I suggest this, but it's the only remedy that makes sense. If you have to layoff 15% of the workforce when the growth was under your command, and you want to take responsibility, then step down. Own your mistake.

What if the board doesn't want you to quit? Surely it's better to do what's best for the company going forward rather than to broadcast your self-flagellation.

Re: Apollo Layoffs

#26

Post by Rooster61 »

CharlieDigital wrote: post #20
Rooster61 wrote: post #5

Why are software companies still grappling with the mythical man month? You'd think by now we'd have learned our lesson. More hands /= more productivity, at least on a linear scale

Not all of that is dev. After a certain point, a lot of growth comes from marketing, sales, sales engineering, consulting, support, customer success, etc. I'd wager most core engineering teams in a co like Apollo are probably quite small and focused. I'd guess the cuts are coming from the ancillary teams.

My comment was about the company as a whole, and slightly targeted more towards management. That said, you are right, dev usually has very little control over these kinds of decisions.

Re: Apollo Layoffs

#27

Post by cmh89 »

robofanatic wrote: post #17
jackson1442 wrote: post #8

Layoffs are going to suck regardless, but this is one of the best severance packages I've seen in this wave: * 15 weeks base pay + 1 week per year of employment * 6 months COBRA + $300 mental health * no 1-yr cliff, options can be exercised thru next year * you can keep all your equipment

just curious, can one collect unemployment during severance?

It's state by state. I know you can collect unemployment while receiving severance in Washington.

Re: Apollo Layoffs

#28

Post by mattbillenstein »

Rooster61 wrote: post #5

Why are software companies still grappling with the mythical man month? You'd think by now we'd have learned our lesson. More hands /= more productivity, at least on a linear scale

Headcount is a good way to justify a valuation given an investment round - and you have to spend the money chasing growth anyway whether it makes sense or not.

Re: Apollo Layoffs

#29

Post by jrib »

robofanatic wrote: post #17
jackson1442 wrote: post #8

Layoffs are going to suck regardless, but this is one of the best severance packages I've seen in this wave: * 15 weeks base pay + 1 week per year of employment * 6 months COBRA + $300 mental health * no 1-yr cliff, options can be exercised thru next year * you can keep all your equipment

just curious, can one collect unemployment during severance?

not an expert, but my understanding is it depends on how the severance is paid off.

If the company keeps you on payroll and pays you weekly, then you cannot collect unemployment. If the company gives you a lump sum then you may be able to.

If a condition of the severance is that you sign a document saying you are quitting instead of being fired, then you cannot collect unemployment.

My understanding comes from recent googling because of similar layoffs that happened at my company. I'd welcome more informed thoughts on the matter.

Re: Apollo Layoffs

#30

Post by DevX101 »

jackson1442 wrote: post #8

Layoffs are going to suck regardless, but this is one of the best severance packages I've seen in this wave: * 15 weeks base pay + 1 week per year of employment * 6 months COBRA + $300 mental health * no 1-yr cliff, options can be exercised thru next year * you can keep all your equipment

That's a fantastic deal.
Post reply on HN