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Big Tech is using layoffs to crush worker power

latimes.com

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Re: Big Tech is using layoffs to crush worker power

#261

Post by mensetmanusman »

AlwaysRock wrote: post #175

Right before COVID-19 stay at home order in Chicago, a bunch of improvisers who preformed at the popular i.o theater put together a list of demands which basically asked for a bunch of changes to make the lives of performers better. They were not going to perform until those changes were made. The owner didnt respond for a few days and then said, "Hey! Heard you. Great valid concerns. But I'm actually shutting the th…

Our theaters were also closed during Covid because of distancing concerns and fear.

Re: Big Tech is using layoffs to crush worker power

#262

Post by eatsyourtacos »

theptip wrote: post #104

I just don’t buy it. To be clear this is claiming that the CEOs are sitting behind a desk stroking a cat, thinking “now I will crush the labor movement and make all my workers feel less secure”. This is just not a problem that Pichai is facing. Occam’s Razor points to the very simple, non-conspiratorial answer that it really is just stock-price driven (ie market-driven) thinking (one could say “lack of actual strateg…

> answer that it really is just stock-price driven (ie market-driven) thinking (one could say “lack of actual strategic thinking”). “The job of Alphabet is to provide solid growth in share price Q on Q for investors, with minimal fluctuations to spook them”

Fair enough, but my view is that you've just described the largest problem with the modern world.

Re: Big Tech is using layoffs to crush worker power

#263

Post by anthomtb »

tapatio wrote: post #158
nicholasjarnold wrote: post #143

Earlier quoted context omitted.

To add a counterpoint - I've heard senior executives remark about the likelihood that many of those let go are the not the employees that you really _want_ to pickup. The reasoning they've implied there is that these big companies that hire so voraciously have simply made some mistakes along the way and used the current happenings to jettison those mistakenly-hired employees swiftly and efficiently. Note: I'm sure ma…

It also makes logical sense. Why would you let go of a 10X engineer? You'd have to be an idiot.

>Why would let you of a 10X engineer?

Because you axed a 400 person division and at least a few of those folks were the mythical 10X-ers.

>You'd have to be an idiot.

Maybe. There are plenty of idiots in upper management with the power to decide who stays and who goes. But back to the hypothetical 400 person division, the executive will see a spreadsheet with $$$ expenditure and -$$$ revenue and make the cut with little concern for individual abilities.

Re: Big Tech is using layoffs to crush worker power

#264

Post by politician »

dubcanada wrote: post #219
AlwaysRock wrote: post #175

Right before COVID-19 stay at home order in Chicago, a bunch of improvisers who preformed at the popular i.o theater put together a list of demands which basically asked for a bunch of changes to make the lives of performers better. They were not going to perform until those changes were made. The owner didnt respond for a few days and then said, "Hey! Heard you. Great valid concerns. But I'm actually shutting the th…

This is sadly why you need political power. People with money can afford WAY longer then you to just say "nah..."

The power to compel others is dangerous.

Re: Big Tech is using layoffs to crush worker power

#265

Post by nkjnlknlk »

aeternum wrote: post #183
s1artibartfast wrote: post #71

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I'm not sure that they have changed. People brought it up before and people are bringing it up now and they'll continue bringing it up. I think the tech workers are generally still opposed to the idea

Imagine how terrible it would be to be on a team with subpar engineers with some kind of tenure / union protection so they cannot be fired. I think this is a big reason tech workers are opposed to the idea.

1. People in unions are fired all the time with cause. 2. Terrible engineers exist with tenure/some other reason that they are not fired. Tech is not unionized right now and there are plenty of horror stories...

Re: Big Tech is using layoffs to crush worker power

#266

Post by mensetmanusman »

jakelazaroff wrote: post #252
monero-xmr wrote: post #230

Earlier quoted context omitted.

It is insanely hard to build a business, and I speak as someone who has built businesses in both tech and franchising (which should theoretically be much more straightforwards). At the primordial stage, before there are reliable revenues, you must have everyone marching to the same drum. If you can’t do what I say, please GTFO because you are actively harming what is already hanging on by a thread. If I can’t fire ba…

You don't have the right to build a business. You have the right to try , of course, but it's not like there's some natural law that you should be able to succeed. So appeals to "it's hanging on by a thread!" don't really do much for me; maybe the viability of your business relies on an imbalance of power vs. your employees, in which case I'd really rather the thread be cut. Your comment about firing people is kinda…

People have the right to freely associate with who they want, ergo the right to build a business.

Re: Big Tech is using layoffs to crush worker power

#267

Post by irrational »

tapatio wrote: post #158
nicholasjarnold wrote: post #143

Earlier quoted context omitted.

To add a counterpoint - I've heard senior executives remark about the likelihood that many of those let go are the not the employees that you really _want_ to pickup. The reasoning they've implied there is that these big companies that hire so voraciously have simply made some mistakes along the way and used the current happenings to jettison those mistakenly-hired employees swiftly and efficiently. Note: I'm sure ma…

It also makes logical sense. Why would you let go of a 10X engineer? You'd have to be an idiot.

This was decades ago, but my uncle has a PhD in chemistry and worked for a very large and famous chemical company. They had a round of layoffs and fired his entire division. Well, he had a bunch of patents in his name that the company suddenly didn't have access to. Someone realized their mistake and asked him to come back. He already had multiple offers from competitors so they had to pay him a huge increase in salary and a bonus to come back. Mostly he didn't want to move his family, so he was willing to stay. Bottom line, there are and always have been idiots at every company.

Re: Big Tech is using layoffs to crush worker power

#268

Post by tracker1 »

CptFribble wrote: post #168
irrational wrote: post #106

I’ve never worked for Big Tech, I’ve never even worked in one of the big tech hubs (Bay Area, anywhere in California, Seattle, Austin, NY, etc.), but I do have a hefty 6 figure salary because of the tech workers in those areas. My worry is my company will start to look at laying us off so they can replace us with laid off tech workers at a much lower rate.

I don't think you need to worry too much - those laid off workers are coming off hot SF salaries. Most of them won't really be at a "lower rate." A 5-year Googler laid off from $300k+ TC isn't going to just up and move to a low-COL area and displace someone for $100k-$150k. I gather there are a lot of smaller companies in the tech hubs that are happy to pay $200k+ for a former FAANG'er, and moving is hard - most peop…

I do know one person who left NYC financial market job (as a developer, high pressure very high pay/bonus) for Phoenix area after 9/11 ... so I wouldn't say it's impossible... It might even be an opportunity, if you aren't trying to sell/buy a house right now.

As for getting displaced... I would worry about that... in 2000-2001 a lot of companies in SF/SV folded and many more shrunk workforces rapidly in tech... it hit here by the end of 2001, and was near the end of 2002 before I was working regularly again (for 30% less)...

Re: Big Tech is using layoffs to crush worker power

#270

Post by HeyLaughingBoy »

Phlarp wrote: post #20

Guess tech workers should have unionized when they had the chance. As if capital was going to let the most powerful group of workers that's ever existed continue to slip their noose

The remaining ones have the chance right now. Do you see tech unions starting up?
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