Following mass layoffs, employees are taking to social media to say their final goodbyes while praising the companies that have just let them go. Why?
Singh’s job was eliminated in late 2022 as part of a large-scale Big Tech layoff.
“I hated how my boss handled it,” the New York-based software developer says. “They received praise for large severance packages, but the process on who was let go was very unfair. And the messaging was terrible: the layoffs were leaked ahead of time, but they did not make it public that high performers were also laid off.”
Singh’s frustrations were exacerbated by his belief that his job was relatively secure, especially since he’d never been informed of any performance issues. Furthermore, as an Indian expatriate on a US work visa, he only had 60 days to find a new job.
As thousands of colleagues began to post on LinkedIn about their layoffs, Singh quickly followed suit. Despite his dismay at losing his job and his fear of having to leave the country as a result, the tone of his brief message was upbeat and magnanimous. He wrote that, while his journey was cut short, he agreed with his coworkers who were gushing on social media that his now-former employer provided “everything” anyone could want in a workplace. After thanking his former teammates, he ended the post with a line about being available for work and a photo of his work ID badge.
Singh sounded upbeat about the situation, which was exactly what he’d intended. “I used to work for a social-media company, and I know what you post lasts forever,” he says. “Writing anything negative about anyone has no benefit.”
Singh’s LinkedIn post drew supportive comments from former colleagues who were writing similarly glowing posts, and his message was seen, sent, and shared by recruiters who contacted him about open positions. “I got my layoff notice at 0600,” he says. “I’d updated my LinkedIn status by 0700. I was speaking with recruiters by 0800.”
It’s early in 2023, but new layoffs are already being announced. And, with persistent predictions of an economic downturn and recession threatening businesses, there may be more to come. This could also mean more goodbye posts in which employees wax poetic about employers who have just mercilessly terminated their employment. Of course, while these messages may contain genuine sentiments, they can also be performative and strategic, serving an important function in demonstrating a worker’s employability and adaptability.
A strategic move
Following an initial wave of layoffs at the start of the pandemic, many businesses rushed to hire new employees, rapidly expanding their teams.
A recent market slowdown, however, has caused firms to pause recruitment, particularly in technology, where several start-ups and high-growth companies have implemented hiring freezes and, in some cases, rescinded job offers. Some businesses turned to layoffs in late 2022. A swath of high-profile cut sat Big Tech firms, as well as sectors such as finance, retail, and media, were among them. This could continue, as job cuts have already begun to spill over into the new year.
Workers like Singh have become part of a trend as a result of these layoffs: epic farewell LinkedIn posts. These messages contain Employees who leave pay tribute to their former employer and coworkers, thanking them for the opportunity and frequently blaming external forces for their decision.
These posts are mostly from employees who genuinely believe they had a positive experience with the company and understand the layoffs.
“I grew up there for seven and a half years,” says Aleana, a Big Tech partnerships manager based in Los Angeles. “I wasn’t sure how I was going to break the news, so it seemed like a good way to express my gratitude, let people know what was going on, and put myself out there for new opportunities.”
Despite her sincerity, she says she felt pressure to publish the post quickly, even though she was still processing the news. “I was in shock and having a really hard time processing everything,” Aleana says. She claims that another laid-off coworker encouraged her to write the letter. “A mentor of theirs advised them to post something, even if it didn’t feel right. They ended up posting the same day and received a lot of love from her network – I wrote mine the next day.”
Others who are conflicted or traumatised, including resentment for their former employer or colleagues who remain, are also writing these effusive messages.
According to Grace Lordan, associate professor of behavioural science at the London School of Economics, it’s a strategic move regardless of an employee’s true feelings. She claims that the language workers typically use portrays the layoff as a “learning experience” that is part of a larger “journey” in their career. “These positions indicate that the individual enjoys change and will not complain about corporate decisions,” she says. “They also include information about the worker’s skills, experience, and, most importantly, where they’ve worked. It’s essentially a public CV and cover letter informing everyone that you’re available, adaptable, and highly employable.”
According to Lordan, these positions are more common in large corporations. “We see it among workers who have been laid off by industry megastars: prestigious companies that reflect well on the individual; being associated with the name, even if laid off, increases employability. If you were let go by a much smaller company, you’re less likely to bring their name to light in a public post.”
I didn’t want to write something that I’d end up regretting. You learn to never burn bridges – Singh
As grating as it was for Singh to show deference to his former employer, he admits his LinkedIn farewell message was merely a means to an end. Even though he disagreed with how the layoffs were handled, he knew that declaring his availability for work while putting on a brave face would increase his chances of getting hired. “I didn’t want to write something I’d later regret,” he says. “You learn not to burn bridges because Big Tech is a small world.”